Meditation is not a task with a known goal. 

It’s something you can’t do wrong, a chance for the things of this world to come towards you and to meet you, for doors to open by themselves, and for us to see where the ancient paths lead.

—John Tarrant

Jesse Cardin & Tess Beasley on the always-unfolding Way, from August 27, 2023

We cannot even take awakening with us; the path moves on and the universe is always giving us that invitation.

The Dao suffers no plans but its own, and our bodhisattva path requires that we bring it back into the world. Re-entry for a season of rest is required.

We listen to the way the world is always inviting us to the next adventure, inner or outer.

In Zen, the path goes on and on—we find more ways to grow the ways we love our lives. We are not trying to reach a place of endless tranquillity.

The monster gets a mysterious power from his rose bush. Belinda falls in love with him in spite of his ugliness. Her love breaks the spell that has been cast on him and he turns into a beautiful prince.

Belinda says, ”But I want the monster.”

Slowly, through practice she makes her way into her true path, discovering what she most wants and who she really is.

Sounds like what we are up to.

John Tarrant retells the mythic story of Belinda and the Monster, Italo Calvino’s version of Beauty and the Beast.

This session provides a living encounter with this powerful myth and a glimpse into the personal work of participants during the recent Fall Open Mind retreat.

Where do you find yourself in the story?