Practice is where everything happens. Everyday practice with the right intent makes a difference in the energy in one's own life and then also the world around one. If it is Zen practice alone or with Aikido, photography, unconditional love, smiling, hiking, biking, sitting outdoors, walking, jogging, all kinds of skiing, skating, sledding, sailing, swimming, paddling, rowing, motoring, drifting, flowing, floating, Amaterasu art, calligraphy, kototama, meditation, prayer, misogi, chinkon-kishin, Zen art or even (catch and release or Zen) fishing - any or all of the above that you choose for your path, just practice. If you can't practice with others, practice alone. Practice alone with others in separate places. Practice together. Hop back on that bike again if something happens and you fall off. Return to centre over and over again and keep moving forward. Be creative. Sincere. Adapt. Never give up. It matters. Be fully present with the Universe and your own inner self with Love in your heart and find your inner Light, and help to bring that into this world one ray of Light at a time. Continually refine it. It is our prayer for world peace that makes a difference, one person at a time. Collectively, that is powerful.
Every day we are given is a good day to try to do this, no matter how limited. If we have breath in us, it is not too late. Practice as you grow. Just as you are. Perfection is not required. Just sincerity, love and respect for the Universe, nature, others and oneself. Not one moment of hurry, not one wasted breath. Sincere practice while self-correcting, learning and growing is like pruning for the soul.
It is my sincere wish that people at my zendo can experience through their own devoted practice the pure flowing clear Light, Love, Courage and Peace of the Universe first hand so that the flower of the spirit of their soul blooms, and the pure flowing clear Light of the Universe flows through them out into the world.
In the art studio, you can find examples reflecting this message.
The pure flowing clearLight of the Universe (God) is our Light.
Practice - Our Prayer For World Peace.
Dream. Flower.
Dream - With your eyes wide open.
Flower - Practice right where you are and do the work.
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Gyo
The character for Practice.
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Hana
"Flower"
Yume
"Dream"
The Pure Flowing Clear Light of the Universe (God) is our Light.
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Ten no Hikari Ji
Text, calligraphy, photographs and art Copyright © 2025 Rideau Lakes Zen.
All rights reserved.
Amaterasu Art is one of the practices of Rideau Lakes Ten no Hikari Zen.
A Family, Friends and Monastic-Oriented Practice.
A flowing Zen perspective.
Dream. Flower.
by Janice
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