Hakone Zendo

Zazen Meditation Community in Saratoga, California

Author: Kaz Kihara

  • Embracing Mindfulness at the Zendo

    Shared by Sonam Visiting the zendo every Sunday has become a cherished part of my life. From the moment I step into the beautiful garden, I’m filled with gratitude for the serene environment and the dedication of those who maintain it. The rituals—vows, chanting, and more—rekindle my appreciation for my cultural roots and instill a…

  • 日々是好日

    “Hi bi kore kōjitsu” Finding Beauty in Our Everyday Lives Shared by Reni 日々是好日 which means “every day is a good day” I personally like to say “every day is a beautiful day.” One of my  favorite concepts from Japanese life philosophy.     I first encountered this phrase in The Wisdom of Tea by Noriko Morishita’s…

  • Neuroscience of Meditation

    Shared by Lakshmi We often hear that meditation is good for you or that it’s good to be in the present moment and we often take that on faith. Today, I want to explore why it may actually have practical benefits for us. In psychology, a concept that has been well-researched is – ” the…

  • Embracing Omoiyari: A Journey of Selfless Compassion

    Reni’s sharing    This morning at the zendo, I had the joy of sharing the concept of “omoiyari” with everyone. Kaz & I worked together on a wood panel design which would reflect our community’s mindset. Omoiyari seemed like the perfect expression on how kindly we treat each other. I’m a complete beginner in shodo as…

  • Embracing Life’s Balance: Finding Light in Dark Times

    Shared by Michael Good morning, everyone! I want to share an experience that profoundly shaped my understanding of life’s balance. The Unluckiest and Luckiest Day Two months ago, I had a catastrophic bike accident, landing me in trauma and a month-long hospital stay. A friend who was with me during the accident called it my…

  • Discovering Yourself through Zazen

    Shared by Ann Today, Ann shared her thoughts on the practice of Zazen, which we just experienced together. As we sat on our cushions or stools, our bodies were engaged in the simple act of sitting. However, our minds were on a journey, striving to be present in each moment. Some moments might have been…

  • I vow to care for them all

    Shared by Ann Ann highlights the vow, “Beings are numberless, I vow to care for them all,” and argues that it applies to everyone, regardless of their spiritual path. Ann emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between gentleness and strictness, drawing on the concept of the “middle way.” She encourages mindfulness, understanding the situation,…

  • The Han: A Reminder to Be Present

    Shared by Ann Photo of our han with rev Ito in 2019 Have you ever noticed the han (hanging wood board) that is suspended near the entrance of the our zendo? When we begin our zazen, we strike this han with a mallet. Ann provided some insights into the significance of the han and the…