Jungle Zazen
5am
religious chanting echoes in the distance
early morning light nudges away the darkness
walking the stone path towards the little wooden zendo
a glance upward and I meet the volcano, serenely present
3 bells
the scent of sandalwood
black cushion supporting my spine
in breath, out breath
stillness
not yet – this isn’t the zendo I’m familiar with
one bird, two bird, many birds
geckos skip across the roof
two frogs communicate their love across a pond
all of this is happening, just outside
outside what I wonder?
this jungle is inside, how can it be otherwise
zazen expands
fully alive