Hermitage Heart Newsletter

Toledo Sangha -

Below is copied the text from a year end email from Myotai Sensei.

- Chikyo


"The bud/stands for all things,/ even for those things that do not flower,/ for everything flowers, from within, of self-blessing;/ though sometimes it is necessary to reteach a thing its loveliness,/ to put a hand on the brow/ of the flower and retell it in words and in touch it is lovely/ until it flowers again from within, of self-blessing"
—from St. Francis and the Sow," by Galway Kinnell
Dear Sangha,


Warm greetings at the turning of 2007 to 2008. I hope this letter finds you peaceful and well. I wanted to take a moment to share some news of the last year in Hermitage Heart, as well as several wonderful developments ahead of us as we look forward…


2007 saw Hermitage Heart establish a pattern of retreats at Garrison Institute, the Franciscan Center, and St Mary-in-the-Highlands, augmented by Home Hermitages. During hermitage practice, we connected from all around the world for dharma talks and mondo by conference call, and to light virtual candles together on-line. We held our first week-long Rohatsu sesshin, and second overnight vigil commemorating the Buddha's awakening. Precept retreats preliminary to the upcoming jukai began. Fall was an Ango of retreats and practices, and we also recognized our first shuso, Jay Chikyo Weik, who gave a talk and responded spontaneously to practice questions from the sangha. The Bodies of Water School (BOWS) was launched, and we gathered for a beautiful evening of ceremony and study at the extraordinary Water Exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History.

We also established an small office for Hermitage Heart in Cold Spring, very near the train stop, and even before the furniture got in the room, students began coming from the city and elsewhere for meetings. With a view of one tree out the window, it is also a good writing space. In the spring, I received a contract from HH, transitioning formally from my poverty vows to the simplicity vows of priest/clergy, beginning to contribute to Social Security and, next year, hopefully a small pension plan. The Board of Directors has held several productive meetings and enjoys working together, and we've recently begun working with an advisor to non-profits from Community Resource Exchange, which is proving very helpful.


There were also several nice ceremonies during the year…My wedding on September 2 to Rob Work involved 3 officiants and 165 guests…we're still smiling… I was also honored to officiate the wedding of sangha member Seikan Israel and Bina Altera. With Rev. Trudi Jinpu Hirsch, I gave a talk and blessing at the Farm Animal Sanctuary in Woodstock. Coming up on Saturday, January 12th there is the opportunity to lead the Blessing of the Waters in New York City, initiating the "Rivers of Life" program series at the American Museum of Natural History. http://www.amnh.org/programs/specials/livinginamerica/


And so, into the New Year! First, some initial dates:


Precepts Week Initiation Ceremony: April 8-13 at Skylake Lodge in Rosendale, NY.
- eligible Hermitage Heart Students will be contacted with registration and participation details shortly.


Spring Ango Opening: Sunday, March 16, St. Mary's, Cold Spring, NY


Home Hermitage: Friday-Saturday, February 22-23, March 21-22


Sesshins at the Garrison Institute, Garrison , NY: May 7-11, August 6-11, October 1-5
(please note that our Winter sesshin scheduled for Jan30-Feb.3, has been cancelled.)


In Gassho,


Myotai Sensei