I had to practice letting go this last week. I was pretty committed, and a bit attached, to starting to sit at our wonderful new temple in July. A month or so ago that did look possible!

But you'd think after these years of planning, and permits, and construction I'd know that it never goes at the pace you hope it will.

Consulting with the Practice Leaders and the Inos helped me release my grip. And feel the ease that comes with that release. 

So rather than sitting in an almost-done construction zone in July we'll stick around at Bellingham Unitarian for the month. Note that I myself will be mostly away on my annual July sabbatical, but look forward to Kanho Chris's leadership and some wonderful talks on our Zen women ancestors from our Practice Leaders.

Now it looks so very, very likely we'll be all good to move in in August. Look forward to our first weekly evening sitting on Wednesday August 6th (new day and time: now Wednesdays 6:30pm-8:30pm). Not only will those in person have the pleasure of the new space but Zoom-in folks can look forward to a much more immersive and interactive Zoom experience.

We'll warm the space up in August and officially open the temple on Saturday the 30th - save the date! Sansui-ji Opening Ceremony Saturday August 30th. (3pm short work party, 5pm potluck dinner, 7pm ceremony and meditation).

In the middle of August we'll celebrate the 3rd anniversary of our purchase of the building. It does take a while to create a temple it seems, despite what that koan says about Indra planting a blade of grass! A lot of time, effort, cooperation, patience, money, and just about everything else you can think of.

The wonderful thing I noticed as I released from my fixation on sitting at the temple in July was a lot more space for the deep, deep gratitude we all feel.

I really can't believe we have enough support from everyone to buy a building and do the major remodel we did to have this lovely temple. Words just can't express how very unlikely and amazing this all is.

A group that started 34 years ago as 4 people in my front porch is now a mature sangha with a temple! Wow.

If you haven't seen the place yet, or haven't seen it recently, we have a work party scheduled for this Sunday and there will probably be at least one or two more in July and August as we move in. We have a special page for these you can check: Zen Work.

Thank you so much for your trust in the Dharma, in Red Cedar, in me and the other teachers. What a miracle this all is.

Sansui-ji Exterior, June 2025

With love and a deep bow,

Nomon Tim