If you’re intrigued by the way of poetry, and how I share silence through the contemplative practice of reading and writing brief poetry, in my Small Silences course, and in one-to-one Quiet Sessions, this conversation is for you.
Earlier this week, Zenju Earthlyn Manuel and I met via Zoom to share a conversation exploring the way of poetry, reflecting on her time spent with (and returning time and time again to this self-paced practice) Small Silences, my contemplative poetry programme.
This conversation arose when Zenju suggested we share a conversation about her journey as a student of Small Silences, and how that led to one-to-one Quiet Sessions with me. This conversation arose in part by Zenju’s wish to help support me in this, my life’s work, and in part by her wish to point others to discover what she learned through that journey.
In the video, Zenju shares how she recognises the presence of the forest, my teacher through my work. She reveals how she has saved recordings and meditations from the course on her phone, to call on when she forgets who she is, or simply needs a gentle nudge to slow down, to stop, and rest in stillness.
Zenju shares too what she discovered through practicing in this way with me, and how she experienced the course, the meditations, and the presence they brought — and how that led to meeting me one-to-one for practice based exchanges, and later in one-to-one spiritual direction sessions.
Lightly edited, only two short sections were cut from the recording, by agreement. Enjoy the dance as we share our journeys of silence and poetry with you.
This video exchange is not currently available anywhere else online at the moment, so do listen whilst you can if you’re not a paid subscriber with access to the full archive here.
If you’re inspired by Zenju’s sharing on Small Silences, and one-to-one Quiet Sessions with me, whether you are a priest, or a poet, a reader, or a teacher, as she is, find out more on my offerings page at Ando.life.
Zenju and I also co-led an online contemplative poetry retreat for the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies in the United States in 2022. She is a poet, author, and ordained Zen priest. Visit Zenju.org to learn more.
Footnote: Paid subscribers of Silentium can find another post about Small Silences and a discount code in Silentium chat, valid until 8 November (see link in the menu bar of Silentium).
[◉°] Zoom recording of Zenju Earthlyn Manuel and Andō in conversation, 28 October 2024.
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Dogen wearing his rakusu like his mother's arms... thank you for this. Wow. There is so much here. I interviewed Zenju Earthlyn on The Shamanic Bones of Zen (here: https://elenabrower.com/episode-153-osho-zenju-earthlyn-manuel-ph-d/ ) and will be taking your course, Andō.
Thank you for sharing this video, it has certainly appeared just at the right time. Inspired by your words and gaps in between them I have been looking at your course with much interest. As some one who loves words and what they can point to, although not great with using them myself. Perhaps it's time to cross that bridge and learn to at least try.