All Day and All Night Meditation

In the midst of the difficulties of human life, we can find peace and harmony.                                           

This is my experience, based on the practice of Zen Buddhism. It's hard to see how we might find peace and harmony when there is so much to worry about, but worry doesn't solve the problems. In fact, worry usually gets in the way of any solutions. To find solutions and appropriate responses, we need to build our resources and lean into what is right and good.

That why, once again, I'm planning to sit up all night meditating as a fundraiser for Clouds in Water Zen Center. This is one way that I can cultivate deep and nourishing silence and compassion, and support others in doing the same. Not everyone needs to stay awake for 24 hours! Just a few minutes of remembering the things in our lives and our world that are good can be so helpful in providing a basis for changing what is harmful.  

Last year, I meditated for 30 hours on my 65th birthday as part of Clouds in Water's 30-year anniversary fundraiser. (The photo above is me at last year's Sit-A-Thon, taking a tea break around 2 am.) This year, we're going for 24 hours of meditation to represent that we are practicing compassion all day and all night. Since I'm one year older, I'll probably take more breaks than I did last year; however, I will still be at Clouds the whole time and at least one person will be sitting in the zendo meditating the whole time. 

I'm inviting YOU to join in the adventure by donating in support of my meditation on that day.  Last year, many of you gave as a birthday present to me. This year, our Sit-A-Thon begins six days after my birthday, and that would not be too late for a present! 

My goal is to raise $10,000 to help Clouds make the overall goal of $50,000. You can help me reach this goal with a gift of $100, or any amount. Note: I'll need some of you to make big gifts in order to reach my goal.

This year we have a donor who will match every dollar that is given with a gift towards paying down the mortgage on the Clouds in Water building. So, your gift is more than doubled, since paying down our mortgage principle will also save us on interest payments!

Your tax-deductible gift will help keep Clouds in Water Zen Center thriving and continuing to do its good work of awakening the heart of great wisdom and compassion through our programming, social justice work, and being a sanctuary in these dark times. It will help pay for the maintenance of our beautiful space and the support of our wonderful staff.

Our Zen Center is run almost exclusively on donations from individuals and no one is turned away for lack of funds for any of our programming. Our offerings include meditation classes and retreats, training in compassion, promotion of ethical living, community outreach, youth and family programming, and more. We are unabashedly invested in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and doing real inner and outer work to unravel the karma of white supremacy and other forms of oppression.

I keep practicing because meditation allows me to touch something that is way beyond what my brain can fathom. It connects me with all beings, opens my heart to compassion and tenderness towards myself and others, helps me to befriend my cluttered and busy mind, and is a way for me to manifest joy, peace, and freedom.

I believe that if meditation helps me to refrain from one more hurtful word, do one more kind act,  or wish well for one more difficult person, then I have made the world just a little bit better. And, meditation DOES help me with these things. Furthermore, whatever good I may do ripples outward to others and multiplies good in the world.  Since Clouds in Water teaches this practice to others, the ripples are many and grow larger.

I hope you will support me and Clouds in Water in this work, by making a donation and/or joining us at Clouds in Water during the 24 hours, or online via Zoom. 

You can learn more about our work at cloudsinwater.org. Also, feel free to email me with any questions: sosan@cloudsinwater.org.

May you be happy, healthy, safe, and at ease in 2025 and beyond!