THE MEANING OF LIFE

10/21/2016

Today marks the third year since Sensei’s passing. Arriving at Shambhala Mountain Center this past weekend to make offerings at his site, I remembered this:

Near the end of a kyudo program at SMC, we all gathered around a campfire, one of Sensei’s favorite pastimes. In the midst of some lively conversation, a student looked at Sensei and asked, “Sensei, what is the meaning of life?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, he answered. “Ai.” Love.

(photo courtesy of Ian Sheppard)

4 Comments

Lee Weingrad link

10/21/2016 10:21:17 am

In the summer of '81 or '82 we Sensei, myself, a few others, were sitting out on a deck of Dierk and Yeshe Ladendorf's condo. It was quiet and starry. Suddenly a shooting star exploded across the summer night sky. "Our lives are like that Sensei" said.

Kathleen Malone

10/22/2016 04:47:36 pm

Fleeting moments of our lives.
Best to mark them with awe, wonder and curiosity.
Tomorrow I might be gone.
Let me live the rest of this life informed by LOVE.

Phyllis Segura

10/26/2016 09:28:25 am

As Sensei said many times: Hello means goodbye.
Sayonara, Shibata X

Fred Matthews

11/10/2016 08:43:14 pm

This was the most profound thing I have read in a long time. Thank you for sharing.

Ten Years, One Step
Teachings from Kyudo Master Kanjuro Shibata XX