Dear sangha friends,

The last year was challenging in so many ways: Covid morphed into new forms, the climate crisis manifested in forest fires, heat domes, and flooding from atmospheric rivers. Divisiveness and animosity grew. During all last year our practice continued on Zoom and for six months in person at the Wall Street Zendo with precautionary measures. We have been very moved by your steady practice over these challenging months, and deeply appreciative of your generous support of Mountain Rain Zen.

In Japan there is the tradition of purifying the home, body, and mind to prepare for the New Year. A few days before the New Year, people make an effort to pay off all debts and to mend broken relationships so the New Year can be welcomed without burden. The house is cleaned from top to bottom and on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day one takes a bath. After all this, is the first visit to the local Shinto shrine to express gratitude and wishes for the New Year. These purification practices lay the foundation for spiritual life.

Here in the West, we often see New Year’s as time to clean up our act. We resolve to exercise more, eat healthier food, take a class or spend more time with family and friends. This year, you might also consider what you can let go of, how you can be content with having, being, and doing just enough. Michael brushed a calligraphy just before the end of 2021. The character is pronounced hanatsu and the meaning is release. What can you let go of this year that will allow for more ease and kindness in your life? Our zazen practice is really a practice of release—we let go of our turbulent thoughts and emotions with each breath, opening to the next moment.

According to the Chinese zodiac, this is the year of the tiger. As a spiritual animal the tiger represents willpower, courage, personal strength, and a strong sense of justice. Doubtless, these are some of the attributes we will need as we face 2022. Let us foster these qualities in ourselves along with compassion and wisdom as we meet this new year.

Warm New Year’s wishes for peace and well-being to you and all beings,
Myoshin Kate and Shinmon Michael

Download PDF of Hanatsu calligraphy: Click here