SITTING

fading temple bell
the fragrance of flowers strikes
at evening

—Bashō



Tonight's sit with South Sound Zen sangha was a good one. The weather was nice yet people still showed up. Sunset is later so there was still some light in our room, even at the end of sitting. I was asked to serve as doan: ringing bells, keeping time, and leading one chant. We chanted the Sandokai, which was new to me. I discovered the poetry of Korean poet Ko Un. My body felt good throughout the sit, and I left feeling calm.