This talk begins with a look at Zen’s parable of the second arrow. What does the story say to us now when we may find ourselves despairing about despair? In response, Valerie turns to the teaching of two root masters who lived during a particularly precarious time in China. Asked “What is the essential meaning of Chan?” Baso (Mazu) replied, “What is the meaning of this moment?” Baso’s counterpart, Sekito (Shitou), taught, “What meets the eye is the Way.” How might these teachings illumine the way as we practice and live in the midst? Recorded on January 23rd, 2025.