The Hazy Moon of Spring

Meditation can’t be praised enough.
The benefits of generosity and discipline,
prayer, self-reflection, and practice,
have their source in meditation.
With what we gain from just one sitting,
all our crimes are wiped away. 

—Hakuin Ekaku

Enlightenment happens inside this life that we have. It’s not some other more satisfactory life with special conditions.

So you set off!

You go through one archway, and then you go through a second, and then a third archway, and eventually your worries fall away, though you didn’t ask them to; all desperation falls away and any cause of suffering in the mind is illuminated.

Life after life you have been doing this and it’s not a surprise that you come eventually to the Buddha, who is sitting on an ordinary zafu, smiling, and says, “Yes, that’s it, you are doing it alright, just do zazen like that!” and happiness comes over you.

Meditation is also extra good if you do it together with friends.

Though you find clear waters ranging to the vast blue sky in autumn;
How can it compare with the hazy moon on a spring night?
Most people want to have it pure white,
But sweep as you will, you cannot empty the mind.

—Keizan (Aitken & Yamada translation)

Deep Sit Sunday with John Tarrant, Allison Atwill, & Tess Beasley on March 29th, 2026