Dear Zen Friend 

1)                     May     Sesshin:      05/09,  05/10,  0511. 

                        June    Sesshin.      06/06,  06/07,  06/08.           

2)          May Chanting and Dharma Discussion:        May 17th  (Saturday)        1 pm.  

             June Chanting and Dharma Discussion:       June 21st (Saturday).       1 pm. 

3)   This year it was not too cold but long winter. We made stove heating last Sunday morning.  Now, thanks to bright sunshine, fields are turning greener day by day.  Daffodils are in full bloom, magnolias are spreading their petals.  

At Zendo there are several outdoor jobs which must be done by November. They are making firewood, cutting trees, periodical lawn mowing, planting fruit trees, and painting and staining. Here you may have raw experience of working in woods. If interested,  please email back for details. 

4)   A few years ago on a hot summer day, I became aware that my eyesight was damaged with black shadows inside. Those shadows seemed to increase their size and turn blacker. 

Since then I have prayed that my eyes would survive over my body. I could not find good treatment to prevent from worsening their conditions.  I may fail eye test for driver’s license next time or sooner. 

At a fitness gym, TV screens were seen blurred. Characters and faces on the screen were difficult to see. Conditions of eyes are irreversible as one ages. Loss of eyesight may occur soon. 

Three weeks ago, there was a YouTube in which, care for eyes was explained. It was a kind of massage, so anybody can practice. Eye massage? Eye balls are in a skull. How could it be possible? How does massage work for eyesight? Warming eyes were recommended, too. How could eye balls be warmed? Demonstrations were shown. I followed their instruction without confidence. 

Two days later at the gym I noticed that the TV screens were seen clearly. Black shadows did not bother me as before. It was the first experience to have had better eyesight for long time.  

Nothing wins over aging, so I cannot trust hundred percent on that massage. However, better eyesight is hope even though it is temporarily. 

Regards.

Eishin Ikeda

Valley Zendo