Navigating Zen: A Journey Through Practice and Community

This chapter recounts the speaker's emotional journey during their first sashin at Zen Center Los Angeles, marked by anxiety and joy. They explore significant mentorship relationships, the challenges of teaching, and the formation of community in response to societal events, such as the 9/11 attacks. Through personal reflections on lineage, authenticity, and integration of diverse teachings, the speaker illustrates the evolving nature of their spiritual journey amidst personal and familial responsibilities.