Hermitage Update, February 2000

We add the letters "M.o.n.o." -- "Monastics of No Other." And we sit with the reflections drawn from it.

We attend a Baptism, the grandchild of my sister. Death and birth flow in and out each other. 

Water Sounds (for Matthew Gerard, a new sound) Coming through water We are born. With water at baptism We are reminded Of God, For God is Water. This is how we know We are in water: God is Sound dripping wet The Sacred Silence of Love Itself Here is how we know We are children: We are words God speaks Seeing & hearing each other with joy. With water, in water, as water We are born. Meister Eckhart said: What is The test that you have indeed Undergone this holy birth? Listen carefully. If this birth has truly taken place Within you, then every single Creature points you To God. Matthew Gerard, I touch water With you this day, and many days To follow. I sip water with you. I listen with you at our mutual birth. And here, in this sound I greet you… I greet God! wfh/22Jan2000 Baptism

It is winter. Ice lays itself over the brook. A shining silence flows under everything!

We are ready to begin conversations about the Chapel/Zendo and the Hermitage Cloister Building. First we sit in silence. We pray. We wait upon the generosity of those inspired to share resources needed to begin.

Quietly,

Feast of The Presentation, 2Feb2000

Koto-ba Dies “Does this dog have Buddha-nature? “MU!”             (- Zen riddle)
	Weh mir, wo nehm’ ich, wenn Es Winter ist, die Blumen, und wo Den Sonnenschein Und Schatten der Erde? Die Mauern stehn Sprachlos und kalt, im Winde Klirren die Fahnen	Ah, where will I find  Flowers, come winter  And where the sunshine  And shade of the earth?  Walls stand cold  And speechless, in the wind  The weathervanes creak.
	(from poem Half of Life by Friedrich Holderlin)

Saskia calls crying from car Her dog has died Near the border driving At the edge of Maine  On back seat together Koto and Sando hear “Ode to Joy” Then, a deep sound from her throat… And Koto dies Rain splashes everywhere Sando hunkers down on seat Koto, placed on back cushion Still and silent, without breath Silence and water… Saskia present Water and silence… God’s presence Melting icicles sounding splash Dropping Koto into  I t s e l f Petal drops from flower, Word from immensity of thought this dog, (such a schmoto), Drops into our love, nowhere else… Nowhere else, needing nothing more, Quiet now, just waiting, at every door                                 wfh/Friday morning,11Feb2000

January 2000 Update
December 99 Update 
November Update
September Update
August Update