We started with introductions and shared some observations of the natural world, such as the warmer weather, longer days, bright flowers, baby birds leaving their nests, and shimmering quaking aspen leaves. We then explored our animal senses as we smelled the lilacs, peonies and wild paintbrushes; used our deer ears to listen to the cawing ravens; observed subtle differences in blades of grass with our owl eyes; felt the ground beneath our feet with our fox paws; and nibbled on delicious wild strawberries and other snacks with our bunny mouths.
The children then joined the adults in the zendo, where Kenzan brought down the stone held by the Buddha on the altar for each of us to hold while breathing quietly.
