Writer, environmentalist, and Zen teacher Peter Matthiessen died today. He will be remembered for many things, including a little thing that we remember him for. We always bow when leaving a hotel room, after he talked about this in an interview: My first Zen teacher, Soen-roshi, always made a little bow of gratitude to the world around him, and I learned that from him. Its a wonderful habit. Even if Im leaving some neutral or lifeless place, like a motel room, it feels right to thank the room for its hospitality. In Zen practice, one bows to the buddha principle, the imminence of awakening, within oneself. I love that idea. A bow is a wonderful way to appreciate this moment, pay respectful attention to the world around you. -- Peter Matthiessen in Talking on the Water by Jonathan White
Posted on: Sun, 06 Apr 2014 03:01:09 +0000
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