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The great Zen teacher, Suzuki Roshi, surprised everyone when he said: "I don't want to die." Suzuki Roshi was dying of cancer. Not wanting to die is perfectly compatible with being a Zen master. I deeply appreciate his candor. Insofar as we value and appreciate our life, we want to live; and death also is a fact of life.

Katigiri Roshi, a longtime friend and co-teacher, was the person that Suzuki Roshi was speaking to at the time. Katigiri Roshi bowed to his mentor and said, "Thank you for your great effort." I can think of no higher compliment. This exchange brings tears to my eyes. It is a beautiful moment between two dear friends, fellow human beings.

Love is what enables us to bear the unbearable. Love is all that matters... in the beginning, in the middle, in the end.

crickets
another summer
without Corky

(Corky was our childhood dog)