The mind is all sky,

The heart utterly empty,

And the perfect moon

Is completely transparent

Entering western mountains.

--Saigyo

 

The Zen concept of emptiness can be misleading. To be utterly empty is to be utterly open to life's moment-to-moment experience. I have been listening to many people this past week. They come into their sessions afraid and angry about the election. We sit together and step into their fears with boundless minds to deepen their understanding of the strong feelings they are experiencing. We focus on self-care and self-advocacy while acknowledging the uncertainties we all face in this time of transition. By opening that space for the transparent and perfect moon of our self-awareness we can enter this uncertain time with loving-kindness and compassion for ourselves and others.