By Ann
This morning, as I sat in silence, I found myself reflecting on a moment from years ago that shifted my perspective in a profound way. It was around Christmas time, much like now, when Rev. Ito, a Buddhist priest, walked into the room and said, “Jesus was a good man.” Hearing those words from him stopped me in my tracks. I grew up in a religion that often felt steeped in duality—good versus bad, right versus wrong. But in that moment, I realized something fundamental about the practice we share: there is no duality. It’s all one.
That single statement—“Jesus was a good man”—planted a seed in me. It flipped something inside, inviting me to see beyond the divisions we so often impose on ourselves and others. This idea of oneness has stayed with me and continues to unfold, especially during moments of reflection like this morning.
As I watched the keisaku practice today, I thought about its deeper meaning. What if, when the stick is placed on our backs, the message it carries is simple yet profound: You are good. What if that strike is a reminder—not of discipline or correction—but of affirmation? A moment to pause, to feel it resonate, and to truly take it in: I am good. Not with conditions, not with “but” or “if,” but just as we are, in this moment.
Suzuki Roshi, the founder of the San Francisco Zen Center, once said, “You are perfect as you are, and you have more work to do.” I’ve always loved this teaching. It reminds me of the chrysanthemum outside planted by Rev Ito—its bloom, its falling leaves—all of it is perfect in its time. In the same way, we are perfect where we are, even as we continue to grow and change.
But how often do we forget this, especially during the holidays? The endless to-do lists, the expectations we place on ourselves to do more, be more, achieve more—it can feel overwhelming. So I ask myself: Do these things really need to be done? Will they make my life better, or someone else’s? Or can I let them go and simply sit with the truth of my own goodness?
As we move through this season, I hope you can take a moment to pause and quietly remind yourself: I am a good person. Let it settle within you. Let it be enough, even for just a moment.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Diwali, or whatever celebration you hold dear. May it be a time of peace and connection. And may you carry with you the quiet truth: you are good, just as you are.
With love,
Ann
Hakone Zendo 