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As we close 2008, I am reflecting on the past year. Genjo Marinello Osho's words "We will experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows," has been reverberating within my Mind. True, true, true.

The year seems like such a blur. There have been so many moments that have had an impact on me. There where those in my family that passed away, causing me to shed many tears. There where also those close to my family that where born like Alana and Nathan, causing profound happiness. The birth of a child is a real miracle and smiles come easily. There where moments as a father and husband that I felt really down and felt moments of failure, because I thought I could have done better. But as a father and husband, I felt moments of deep, deep connection where there is not distance, no gap, no distance and no time. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.

In my Zen practice, there where moments that I was not sure I could do more and I felt alone and cut off from The Way. TO tell you the truth, I felt a little [or a lot] lost. But then there was Genjo Osho discovering me, dusting me off, patiently guiding, patiently correcting, patiently teaching and a few new sangha friends that I met along The Way that have helped to sustain me and my practice. The view can look very good from here.

Yes, this past year has been the "Highest of highs and the lowest of lows," and I am grateful for both sides of the coin, because they where not lessons that have been lost on me. For the most part, I'd like to think that I have managed to assimilate some of my experiences.

Perhaps the most important that I can remember and do is to "continue on." No matter how good or how tough it gets, just continue forward. Why? Because I am not yet complete. None of us are and if we listen very carefully we may learn and discover new [and old] things about ourselves, if we remain diligent in our practice.

As we exit one year and enter the next, in a continuum - let's practice well. No matter, the highs or lows. I like to remember an expression that I picked up when I was at Dai Bosatsu Zendo. "Unite with endless dimension, universal life."

Gassho,

Jaye Morris, Curator
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