Zen Man Walking

This is one of the Pics that was taken by a disciple about the time that Zen Man Walking was coming into being.

This was a ceremony by root teacher and I preformed where we chanted the Hannyashingyo for an incoming dignitary to the Japanese Community.

Moving meditations have always been a part of our practice, indeed a part of our heritage. But over the last decade or so we have allowed the practice to be a central theme of life at Jizo-an.

But in actuality the name Zen Man Walking was simply because I was a Zen Man that liked to walk.

My root teacher teaches us kyudo, Japanese Zen Archery, as one of our primary practices (along with seated meditation, chanting, calligraphy, and other Japanese Traditional Arts that he exposes us to). He told me long ago that kyudo was the only exercise we need; if we relax and open ourselves the proper way, chemicals flow muscles are both used and stretch out, breathing, heartbeat, and bone all synchronize... very very healthy practice. He was healthy, so I followed his lead. Then I discovered that he took a walk every day; and decided it best to follow him in this practice too.

We formed a Zen Walking group, and started walking after kyudo practice together; got a dog who needs a daily walk... and Zen Man Walking was born.

The evolution to being such a strong part of life at Jizo-an is, like all the other aspect of my life... just an amazing evolution of relationships and events that simply 'blow me away'. Thank you all for being a part of Jizo-an and Zen Man Walking.

-jyozen-