By Chigan Roland Jaeckel Roshi

The change of seasons reminds us of the ever-dynamic nature of life. Fall has turned to winter, and the days have gotten shorter in the northern hemisphere of our planet. More darkness than light exerts its natural influence on our physical, emotional, and mental being. Even when the light begins to increase, day after day, darkness still prevails, while the upcoming springtime approaches ever so slowly.

Similarly, periods of darkness appear in our lives, as life has its own seasons. All of this is a natural process, the interplay of activities of opposing directions, qualities, and properties. Even society and culture are subject to alternating periods of openness and freedom, and times when conditions are more favorable to undo these freedoms.

While it is all just a reflection of the natural activity of change (or the Dharma Activity as my ordination teacher used to call it), as human beings with the ability for introspection, cognition, and compassion, we have the opportunity and responsibility to not only experience but deeply fathom the functioning of this activity. The arising and disappearing is met by a mind that, if untrained, attaches to likes and dislikes and is convinced of its own permanence – even though the consciousness that experiences the changes is of that very same nature, arising and disappearing.

When we speak of liberation in the context of Zen practice, what is it from which we are becoming free? Is it that darkness and everything that challenges this world and society actually vanishes? Is there any solution to this dualistic worldview, separated into light and darkness?

Through introspection, Zazen, we rediscover the underlying nature of our being: our original face that exists before the dichotomy of our human, dualistic consciousness. So, you may ask, how does this make a difference when the present world still confronts us with warfare, genocide, racism, misogyny, and so many more issues?

Once we awaken to our original nature, we begin to relate to these challenges in a fundamentally transformed way. When darkness starts to prevail, we turn on our own light and help the world find its way to a brighter place. By learning through our first-hand experience how this activity of Dharma works, we become increasingly skilled at being in accord with the activity itself, and we are less likely to be overpowered by its content.

Human beings are remarkable. Our inquisitive mind enables us to investigate our own being, the nature of mind, and the universe. Let’s sit down together and investigate this human condition with vigor and determination. May this newsletter and the activities of the Zen Studies Society continue to illuminate the way for this Sangha. May we all be a light to one another and everyone whom we encounter!

By Chigan Roland Jaeckel Roshi

Happy New Year 2024!

The year of the dragon signifies favorable conditions for growth, change, and progress. With the dragon’s energy and the grounding influence of the wood element, 2024 promises to be a creative and productive year ahead for our Sangha. With all of us contributing as we can, let us foster new ideas and actualize initiatives that can open countless gates into this transformative practice!

As we ring in the New Year, we reflect, recognize, and mark time and transitions. One common recognition of the experience of the passing of time is becoming aware of the effects of aging. Sometimes, I hear that our Sangha is aging and that accommodations are needed for our elders to continue practicing with us. This is undoubtedly true! But it is encouraging to be able to say that overall, the age spectrum of our Sangha is broadening. The Zen Studies Society continues to attract many new and younger practitioners. As we move forward, I hope you will join me in embracing and supporting the richness of our sangha with events, facilities, and opportunities for everyone in this broadening age spectrum.

About ten years ago, I had an interesting conversation with Sōgen Victor Hori, a professor at McGill University (now retired) and author of Zen Sand, the beautiful collection of capping phrases for koan practice. Sōgen Zenji spent many years in the Japanese monastery system and has published scholarly articles on Japanese Rinzai Zen monastic training. One important insight I gained from our conversation was that formal Rinzai Zen training is fundamentally based on a multi-layered group of practitioners who mutually “polish” one another. Sōgen further clarified that traditional Rinzai training is challenging to achieve unless such a layered group exists. The expansion into a multi-generational Sangha deeply enriches everyone within the group. The longer we practice, the more we realize that everyone and everything can be our teachers. We mutually benefit from each other’s presence, embodiment, and aspirations — the polishing works.

For 2024, practice opportunities have also expanded: there will now be four Intro to Zen Weekends at Dai Bosatsu Zendo and two Intro to Zen Days at New York Zendo. Our traditional six sesshin at the monastery and five weekend sesshin in the city will continue. With the turn of the year, it is also time to reap the benefits of efforts that began in 2023. Last year, we started a Dharma Teacher Training program. With the conclusion of Rohatsu Sesshin at Dai Bosatsu Zendo, nine newly acknowledged Junior Dharma Teachers are ready to enter into service to the Sangha.

Let us welcome the new year with open hearts and minds, energized by the aspects of creativity, change, and growth represented by the dragon. May we take this opportunity to renew our commitment and vows as we walk this path of the Great Bodhisattva together.