Navigating life in my own skin, by Zenju Earthlyn Manuel
Oct 8, 2024
auto_awesome
Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, an author, poet, and ordained Zen Buddhist priest, shares a poignant story of her 1957 road trip from LA to Louisiana. She reflects on childhood dreams and family dynamics, illustrating the complexities of identity and belonging. Zenju explores the contrasting emotions of anticipation and disappointment during a Texan reunion and delves into her cultural roots in Opelousa. The journey emphasizes the significance of mindfulness, heat, and silence as meditative pathways, inviting listeners to appreciate their own life's influences.
The journey encapsulates the profound connection between family heritage and personal identity, shaping how Zenju views her place in the world.
Through moments of significant silence during the trip, the narrator experiences introspection that enhances her awareness of present emotions and thoughts.
Deep dives
Family Legacy and Identity
The journey to Louisiana highlights the connection between family legacy and personal identity. The narrator reflects on how their trip is not just a physical journey but also a return to the roots that shape who they are. Through Auntie Ola, the narrator feels a sense of belonging and a deeper understanding of their heritage, despite being born in California. This sense of home becomes a foundational piece of their identity, as the memories of their family history intertwine with the land itself.
The Experience of Silence
The trip is characterized by a significant silence, particularly from the narrator's parents, which profoundly affects the family dynamic. The silence serves as a tool for introspection and connection, allowing the narrator to absorb their surroundings and reflect on the journey. It brings forth the understanding that silence can be both comforting and unsettling, inviting a sense of awareness of the present. This theme emphasizes how moments of quiet can provoke the mind to confront thoughts and emotions that often go unaddressed.
Resilience Amidst Adversity
Throughout the journey, the family faces various challenges, highlighting their resilience in the face of adversity. The narrator's father, who cannot read, navigates the journey relying on landmarks, showcasing the strength and determination of the family to overcome obstacles. In a society rife with discrimination, the family's struggle underscores the broader narrative of Black experiences in America. The journey encapsulates a poignant blend of hope, hardship, and the enduring spirit of a family shaped by their experiences.
In precisely chosen words, the writer, artist and Zen priest Zenju Earthlyn Manuel tells a story from her girlhood, a road trip from LA to Louisiana in 1957. While five-year-old Zenju sits in the back seat dreaming of cowboys, her parents navigate an altogether different landscape. From them, from the trip, Zenju now believes she’s learned how to find her way in the world, in her skin.
If this episode resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you. Please take a moment to share your reflections by rating and reviewing Meditative Story in your podcast player. It helps other listeners find their way to the show, and we’d be so grateful.
Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.com