Stirring the Waters: Writing to Find Your Spirit

As a writer and as the librarian of the Zen Center Library in San Francisco, I am always on the lookout for writers skilled at guiding a seeker along the path by the use of writing as a special tool to manifest a powerful, vigorous spiritual practice. (Ah, flailing in the spiritual deeps, I'd best define my terms. For me, an authentic spiritual practice is formed in the ever moving energies of clarity, kindness and joy, all wrapped in awesome Mystery.) In "Stirring of the Waters," vivid poet Janell Moon inspires my commitment and courage to wake up by PLAYING with words, bringing them forth on paper with gentleness, yet great commitment--even as distraction and self-doubt loom, the damn "d"s which seem to assail every authentic spiritual seeker. Gratefully, in "Stirring's" nine-week program, I am given Janell Moon to accompany me on a regular, daily quest for meaning, a boon companion with a wise smile to share the spirit's wounds and to inspire its ever creative renewal. As I continue to try to understand who in the world I am and how in the world I shall live, I am now transforming my own daily practice, sensing new ways to alchemize the fluid in my pens and the stored sunshine in my paper into a flowing chi of powers. I plan to continue each morning to hone my life in "Stirring's" inspiring practices of focus, letting go, and connection. I especially enjoy the sweet paradox that by more consciously stirring the waters, I am learning how to explore their calming depths as well.