Alive and Well

Many thanks to those who have written asking after my health and general well being. Soon after I returned from Wales a month ago my strength fairly much dissolved in a somewhat alarming way. This coincided with my having to notch up my efforts to meet a deadline. Thankfully I found a knowing Chinese doctor who had me back on my feet very quickly. Last time we met I asked how I might maintain my energy now it had returned. She went on at great length and I listened intently. The interpreter turned to me and said, ‘Doctor says, when tired you rest’! I’ve been doing that and thankfully I can say with confidence that I am both alive and well.

I’m really sorry however to have been silent these past weeks. Just a couple of days ago the documents I’ve been working on were completed and circulated for consideration. This is not the end of my need to focus on my monastic responsibilities, as I’m bound to do that anyway. However I’d like to get back to writing here again and will do my best to return as often as I can.

The one subject I’d like to write about is the Master/Disciple relationship which is central to the way we pass on the teaching in our tradition. I read an article in Tricycle by Jacob Needleman called Bread and Stone. It’s an interesting look at the age-old question of how to recognize an authentic spiritual teacher. Through a conversation with a few of his students the question turned around to how much do you want to find a spiritual teacher. How urgent is your inquiry? Having found a teacher, how intent are you to listen and follow their advice. Zen Master Dogen has lots to say on the subject.

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6 thoughts on “Alive and Well”

  1. Good to see you back on the cyberwaves. Sounds like good common sense advice your chinese doctor gave you. But we all drive ourselves just that little bit too far, don’t we?
    Anyway, good to see you are well again. Take care.

  2. You’ve been in my thoughts during the past few weeks and am so glad that you are well and rested (and a dreaded deadline has gone)and hope that you continue following your doctors simple advice.

    Take good care

    John

  3. Welcome back Rev. Mugo,
    I have missed reading your blog the past few weeks here in Sweden. Glad to hear your alive and well.

  4. Thank you one and all for your warm welcome. I’ll be back until May 2nd and then I have the chance of spending some solitary retreat time for two weeks. There is no electricity or phone where I’ll be staying so no blogging or staying up late for me for a couple of weeks.

  5. Very pleased to see you back! Have been visiting a little anxiously every now and then and am relieved to hear that you’re feeling better.

    The master disciple relationship is something that’s always challenged me. The turn-around you write about is a useful point of view (oh, and I finally got around to writing about the Wild White Goose on my own blog, which certainly presents a challenging perspective on the very same issue)

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