Stillness

Standing by a window in the Zen Temple on this snowy day, I am struck by the profound stillness that blankets the world outside. The snow falls softly, painting the landscape in pristine white and muffling the sounds of the outside world.

In this moment, somehow isolated from the ceaseless march of time, I'm reminded of the beauty in imperfection and the natural cycle of birth and death. The snow will soon melt, and its transience reminds me that life is incredibly precious. 

This snowy day also brings with it a lesson on the importance of stillness. In the silence of the snow, there's an invitation to slow down, to breathe deeply, and to engage in the contemplative life. It's a reminder that in stillness, I can find depth; in silence, I can find a voice; and in solitude, connection with all of existence.

In this time of stillness, I remember that my life is an open canvas waiting for me to make a mark.

- Sokei