The day proceeding this one was filled with delema. I wanted to go to practice in a temple in Okayama but the timing seemed strained. I deliberated. Given a complicated slew of factors (weariness, rootlessness, and other emotional and negotiated needs) I determined that this moment was not the right one for me to visit Sogenji temple. But, I new I could only make this sacrific if I could have some time to be alone and creative.
Thus, J and I reached a mutual decision to each spend the beginning of the day alone. I started this blog, and wandered about the city a bit. Exploring this, exploring that, writing.
I visited one of the largest wooden structures in Japan,
which housed a huge bronze Buddha.
I walked past herds (and I mean herds) of wild deer that meandered through the streets chasing uniformed school children who were attempting to feed them.
I also ate an absolute amazing Italian Panini at a little cafe (I think too much thrifty street food gave me the incling for a bit of the west)...then indulged in a raspberry fruit smoothy. It was decadent! By chance, J walked in the door just as I was about to order the smoothy; she ordered lunch. We were on the same wavelength that afternoon... Really, it felt like my birthday too!
...............
On J's 33rd birthday, I read page 33 of Matthew Goulishes book, "39 Microlectures", which he published in his 39th year. Goulish wrote:
"To state the problem: What some see as a single moment repeating, others see as a non-repeating series of similar moments."
Again, he sums up my thoughts. On my art practice. On Buddhist practice. He identifies the place I feel root in continual transition. Repetition. Sometimes repetition that is difficult to see as repeating, like the repetition of getting on a bus. Or the repetition of finding a new place to stay each night.
Goulish continues:
"We re-invent the very notion of familiarity."
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