Embracing the Winter Season

Winter is often viewed negatively due to its coldness and darkness, yet within Zen practice, it symbolizes a time for deep contemplation and restoration. This season fosters a unique opportunity to reflect and embrace the tranquility that comes with the longer nights and quieter surroundings. The speaker, drawing from Dogen's poetry, emphasizes that winter should be appreciated as a natural phase of life, much like spring and autumn. By shifting our perspective, we can find beauty and wisdom in the stillness of winter, allowing it to become a vital part of our practice.