Do not depend on the hope of results. You may have to face the fact that your work will be apparently worthless and even achieve no result at all, if not perhaps results opposite to what you expect. As you get used to this idea, you start more and more to concentrate not on the results, but on the value, the rightness, the truth of the work itself.  —Thomas Merton

In many Zen monasteries, there is a wooden board (han) that is struck with a hammer to summon participants to daily Zazen (meditation) and other important events occurring in the monastery. In a recent class with one of my favorite Zen teachers, Reb Anderson, he reminded us of the traditional inscription on a han. It translates to something like - "Wake up! Life is transient, swiftly passing. Great is the matter of life and death. Don’t waste a moment!” It is an urgent reminder for us to be fully available and present to each moment, to cherish life. 

My intention for this year is to live it as if it were the last year of my life. If this were the last year of my life, what would I choose to spend my time on? How would I relate to my spiritual practice, work, family, friends, students? What kinds of thoughts and feelings would I entertain, and which ones would I not offer residency in the precious real estate of my heart-mind? How easily would I forgive and let go? What values would I want to nurture and express in this 'one wild and precious life' I have been given? How would it affect the quality of my presence in my days? I look forward to sharing my insights along the journey :).

As I reflect on the year just passed, what I most prominently and viscerally feel is a deep sense of gratitude. I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to you for being a part of the Myndtree community. If you have participated in my meditation groups and classes, please know that your presence in these sessions have blessed my life in innumerable ways, both known and unknown.

Warm wishes to you for a very Happy New Year! May 2025 hold many blessings and moments of joy, peace, laughter, connection and love for you and your family.