Sunday I  went to Sensei Al Rapaport’s  Dharma Talk at the Open Mind Zen Center, where Al is the Spiritual Director. He spoke on the mystical poems of Rumi and how they point to a deep understanding of spiritual practice.  Although I know Al, it was my first time at the center. I arrived a little early and parked in the back. I was glad to see Marsha, Terry and Jenny there, as well as Robin for whom I worked 20 years ago.  We began with a couple of chants then went into a 30 minute silent meditation. I enjoy silent sitting with a group before teaching and discussion begins.  It allows everyone to settle into the intention at hand and let the mindstuff fall away. 

The center is on a busy highway, so there was much sound from the traffic.  That gave many opportunities to bring my attention back into the Now, sitting and breathing.  The dog next door barked.  Another trigger to come to my breathing, follow the air flow.  The temperature in the room was perfect.  The space between attendees was perfect. Back to my breathing.  I always know when 20 minutes is up, and the extra 10 made me feel more bonded with the group.  The bell sounded, meditation ended with a few minutes of standing, stretching, then the talk began.

This is not a review of his talk. He recorded it so it will be available. Al began first by asking the difference between poetry and prose.  Without looking it up, I’m not sure what prose is. I never thought of myself as a poet but looking back at some of my writing, I can see where it appears as prose poetry.  He gave a quick history of Rumi and how he was inspired to write mystical poetry. He read a few poems for us. He read each twice. There was commentary, discussion and good insights. I like seeing in new light people I know from the past. People I’ve never had deep discussion with. I love seeing new depths to them, as I did yesterday with several friends.

It began raining while we were inside and the background music to Al’s dharma talk became the sounds of splashing from the cars driving by. Still raining afterward, I walked out to my car in the rain and stopped on the way to smell the gardenia. There were two: one newer blossom and one fading bloom.  Both smelled as sweet.  I drove home in the rain and puddles, and my new tires felt secure on the wet road.

I was guided to Publix on the way home, although I didn’t need anything.  I pulled into the first available space, next to a guy trying to start his motorcycle in the rain. “It always does this when it gets wet,” he said.  Oh, that’s why I’m here I thought. I offered to drive him to his girlfriend’s. On the drive, the saw on my dashboard the holy card of Blessed Mother, image of Sai Baba and Jesus, and the card for  Open Mind Zen right in front of him.  He said he’d been thinking about zen.  He asked if he could have the card.  Of course he could.

I will attend on Sundays.  Join me at  Open Mind Zen Center, 878 Sarno Rd, Melbourne, FL 32935. See the website for training and other info.