It’s quiet, the silence pierced only by a few bird-calls. Deer are grazing 6 feet from the cottage in the early morning light, ignoring me completely as I am sitting zazen. Windblown shapes of pine trees. Too much wine last night, but feeling better after a shower, a glass of coffee and a few pilates exercises.

Yesterday and today I have been playing a lot of guitar. I am reminded of Rahim’s term for when one has practiced enough and the music flows: when the soul has settled.