“We practice Zen to purify our love. “

~Suzuki Roshi

Magenta, and striped red and yellow petunias are growing profusely in my window box quivering and dancing in the wind. It’s cool today, overcast with rain drizzling and refreshing them.  All the trees are in their beautiful green summery attire.  Dark green moss grows on the north-face of the elm tree outside.   

We are in the thick of summer!  The sun shines, days are long and warm!  We have big summer storms with dark clouds that fill the skies, lightning flashes, and the thunder beings talk.  It’s like they are having a big meeting in the sky discussing things of importance.  I listen to them roaring and growling with a kind of awe.  Refreshing rain falls, cools the earth, and nourishes the plants. 

Halau i Ka Pono celebrated Summer and danced the hula of our precious Hawaii. at the Zen Life & Meditation Center’s Summer Solstice Party and Fundraiser.    We honored Pele, our Volcano Goddess, who emerges from the center of the earth as hot lava to create our beloved ‘aina/land.  And we remembered the islands of Maui, Molokai, Ni’ihau, Oahu and Kauai through songs and hula.