By Aaron
Our zendo was founded by Reverend Ito, who used to share Zen teachings with us on a chalkboard. After his passing in the early days of COVID, the way we shared with each other changed. Sharing became more than simply passing on ideas—it became a way to build community, giving everyone a chance to participate. People began to talk about why they joined, how this space changed them, and often offered up books or themes that were meaningful to them.
Today, I want to share a passage from David Lynch’s book on transcendental meditation. Lynch uses the metaphor of fishing to describe consciousness: “Little fish swim near the surface, but the big ones swim deeper below. If you expand the container you’re fishing in—your consciousness—you can catch bigger fish.” He explains that experiencing deeper states of consciousness brings more happiness, understanding, and awareness into our lives, making everything feel like a fantastic game.
In our world, full of distractions, Lynch’s simple metaphor reminds us: by expanding our consciousness and focusing more deeply, life becomes richer and more meaningful. That’s what I wanted to share today.
Hakone Zendo 