{"id":9539,"date":"2017-02-20T12:41:56","date_gmt":"2017-02-20T20:41:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/?p=9539"},"modified":"2026-01-21T16:14:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T00:14:14","slug":"reflections-on-sesshin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kathrynpetroharper.com\/mindfullife\/2017\/02\/20\/reflections-on-sesshin\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflections on Sesshin"},"content":{"rendered":"

Almost six years ago I sat my first sesshin<\/a> at Hazy Moon Zen Center<\/a>. I did not return, for many reasons and rationalizations. But when my teacher<\/a> put a winter weekend sesshin on the calendar, I committed to come. It was wonderful sitting with so many people and creating community. These are some small reflections on my experience. A huge rainstorm visited LA, unusual and impressive for California, and a gesture from nature that we might be worthy of deliverance from drought.<\/p>\n

Practice has become a priority. Six years will not pass before I sit sesshin again.
\n———<\/p>\n

Reflections on Sesshin<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rain strikes the city
\nlike a kyosaku startling
\ndusty streets awake.<\/p>\n

The rain converses
\nwith the windows
\nwhile water gushing
\nthrough gutters holds
\na debate with the sidewalk.<\/p>\n

Nearly six whole years past
\nthe rooster still crows at dawn
\nin downtown L.A.<\/p>\n

I met my match
\noutwaited her impatience
\nwrestled her on the mat
\nuntil she cried
\nnot my way, the<\/em> Way
\nthen bowed
\nand walked into the day.<\/p>\n

–Kathryn Harper<\/p>\n

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