Searching for the Pink Moon

#28 Drip, Drip, Drip, the Bucket Fills

Last week Brad and I got in the car and drove into the deep countryside of northern New Mexico. We were headed to Bodhi Manda Zen Center in the community of Jemez Springs, pop. 250—mostly seniors who have been there for decades. I learned that from Roshi Hosen, the Abbott of Bodhi Manda, who told me that she was invited to move from Montreal to Bodhi Manda to head up the center in 1980. Hosen has been there ever since, raising twin boys and teaching countless lucky Zen practitioners.

Sometimes it’s a bit intimidating to go to a Zen center where you don’t know anyone and I was feeling a sliver of that edge. But as as soon as we pulled into the parking lot, we were greeted by two friendly dogs. Brad stopped the car, nervous that he might hit one of them, so I jumped out. “Come here, puppies,” I said, leading them away and they came right to me with waggy tails. Hosen was on the porch along with the registrar and they both laughed. We felt welcome right away.

We were were given a tour of the Bodhi, the kitchen, living room, Sutra Hall, and the natural hot springs. The Jemez River was moving fast with the spring run off from the mountains.

After dinner we went to the Sutra Hall to participate in the monthly Full Moon sit.

Hosen told us that this moon was called the Egg Moon or the Seed Moon or the Pink Moon, which refers to the pink phlox, one of the first blooming flowers of spring in the Eastern U.S.

Then a Bodhi Manda sangha member who is also an astrologist told us that this full moon was the culmination of a 14-year cycle that included the recent eclipse. This very evening was the end of that phase and the beginning of the next one, which would be in Scorpio. She talked about the healing quality of this new phase and then, with a light heart she said, “Or I could be wrong about all this!” A great example of not taking oneself too seriously.

I felt relaxed and open (not necessarily how I usually feel in a zen retreat…). Here I felt spacious. A low-sounding gong was rung, resonating through the night and the quiet space.

Then we sat facing the mountain and meditated.  

The sunset reflected off the mesa. It got so dark I could no longer see the cacti in front of me. The clouds covered the sky, passing by so quickly the view of clouds and sky alternated.  

When I meditate I often become aware of my impatience and craving for things in my life to be different, or to get things or situations to manifest. Even though I felt spacious, I still noticed that craving habit pop up, recognizing that I was waiting and wanting the clouds to go away so we would be able to see the moon rise.

Clack! The sticks were clapped and we began walking meditation. Hosen made a beautiful silhouette against the indigo sky in her long robe and the dark line of the leash she held as her dog joined us in walking meditation.  

After two hours of sitting and walking, she rang the bell and thanked us for joining in the sit. Time to go to bed or to the hot springs. We went back to our room and then decided to go to the kitchen for some water.

Hosen and friends were outside. She pointed and said, “Look.” There it was, the full moon rising up behind the mountain. Big and bright. The clouds had cleared for only a few moments but we all felt uplifted.

The next morning I told Brad I felt refreshed from this experience.  

I have wondered why I had that specific feeling and I think it is because:

Being in nature feels pure and nourishing;

Being in a practice environment that is relaxed and friendly;

And, feeling connected to the rhythms of all that is—the moon, the night breeze, the dark and the light.

I can hardly wait to go back.

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Practice Opportunities

Throughout the weekend at our scenic wellness retreat in Northern California, you'll engage in nourishing movement, guided meditations, and inspiring dharma talks, all aimed at embodying sustainability in your physical and mental practices.

Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in sustainable practices that nurture both body and soul, guided by Cyndi's wisdom and expertise.

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Grow your practice gradually with each retreat. Longer times allow you to drop in a little deeper. Sessions include a dharma talk, sitting meditation, stretching, breathwork, group discussion.

Fruition
JUNE 9 11:30-3:30
Recognizing the benefits of the practice and how the Path has helped you move from your starting ground closer to your aspirations.

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Grow your practice by committing to 5 days in a row. This is how meditation can become part of your everyday life.

Each day I will offer a lesson on the nuts and bolts of meditation, as well as how the practice relates to the rest of your life. On Day 1 I will give specific mindfulness meditation instruction and we will sit for a short period.  Every day the instruction will deepen and the length of the sitting periods will grow.

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Explore the notion of sustainability in yoga. This work is about presence, curiosity, and personal connection; it is never goal-oriented or performative. 

Through nourishing movement designed to balance your physical and mental strength, you will embody sustainability as you experience:

• Inspiring dharma talks  

• Medium-paced asana flows that combine precision and playfulness 

• Meditation for focus, awareness, and mental nimbleness 

• Breathwork to regulate the nervous system 

• Restorative yoga to relax and refresh 

Return home feeling more energized and expanded in your capacity to move, breathe, and live well into the future. 

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*** CEs available for Yoga Alliance ***

Spiritual refuge offers a path for connecting to the basic goodness of the body, breath, and mind. Breathwork, meditation, and OM Yoga are all effective tools that offer healing, self-awareness, compassion, and mindfulness.

Join legendary yoga teacher, Cyndi Lee, for a week-long program that immerses you in deep embodiment, mindfulness, and curiosity. Through meditation, breathwork, yoga, time in nature, group discussion, and more, you will: 

• Understand the relationship between breathwork, meditation, and asana. 

• Develop a reliable structure for ongoing personal practice.

• Enhance your work as a yoga or meditation teacher.

• Begin, or further, your Buddhist studies. 

• Transform boredom into curiosity.

Each day’s work will build on the day before so you can observe the effects of your practice. Return home with resources that offer you a refuge for the rest of your life.