Walk Like a Mountain. Innen Ray Parchelo

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      FOREWORD

      In one of my reflections for a past newsletter, I wrote:

      I walked outside to do chores shortly after sunrise today. The sun was shining. The fragrance of smoke from our wood stove punctuated the coolness of the air. Dry leaves crunched under foot. The sound of geese flying south was a pleasant accompaniment to a glorious morning. As I lingered for a few minutes taking it all in, the Native American greeting to the sun and mountains, along with the salutation to the Buddhas in the Ten Directions arose in my mind. I mouthed the words quietly. This simple informal action transformed a mundane enjoyable pause in my routine into a sacred observance. It was an act of true mindfulness, a moment of veneration of the Buddha nature that resides all around us, a joyful expression of spirit. The Buddhist Path is a path of clarity and tranquillity through its many practices. It may satisfy the intellect, as well as guide us morally and ethically.

      All around we are touched by and in touch with sentient beings who reside in the Buddha realms with us. This is important. Buddhism as a whole, and Tendai-shu in particular, communicate with the natural world of trees and grasses, small and large animals, streams and hills, seas and deserts. This is not a form of sentimentalism; it is a recognition that there is no distinction of spirit between the corporeal form we take as humans and the trout negotiating a stream’s eddy. How can we connect with each other as humans and not extend our gaze to our environment?

      Meditation in motion out-of-doors offers fertile ground for myriad contemplations and includes esoteric practice, devotion and veneration of nature. The body, along with the faculties of speech and mind is yet another channel by which to experience and manifest the Dharma. By engaging all three simultaneously, the effect is synergistic, each reinforcing the other. Practitioners often find that one channel seems more beneficial than another, but practising all three simultaneously will yield a balanced development.

      In the pages of Walk Like A Mountain, Innen has provided us with more than encouragement and more than simple instructions or technique. This is a ‘handbook’ as he has intended to share with us, his fellow journeyers. It is like a trail companion that reminds us of the possibility of the trail and, at the same time, the promise of the Buddha-way. Our path is one of re-discovering our True Nature, and that brings us the greatest joy possible. However, while we are called to the Path, we need to remember that each step on the way is itself the path. Because it is all these things and more, do not lose sight that it is equally a path overflowing with simple pleasures. Linger just a tad and soak in the joy of the moment, you will be fulfilling the promise of the Buddhist Path.

      I recommend we each set our feet on our chosen Path, and hope Innen’s notes for the journey will bring us to the trail’s end and the clear and tranquil path that takes us there.

      Rev. Monshin Paul Naamon

       Secretary General

       Tendai-shu North America District

       East Chatham, New York