Looking Into the World to See Our Reflection:

Wakefulness Blooms in the Field of Awareness

Some 900 years ago, the Wandering Monk, Saigyō, left the familiarity and predictability of life in the palace, and spent the rest of his days wandering the natural landscapes of Japan and writing brief poems about his encounters.  His journeys took him far and wide across the mountains and rivers of Japan, but also to the depths of his interior world, exploring the heartache of loneliness, the depths of love, the sadness of loss, and the tragedy of violence. 

His brief poems evoke a deeper sense of intimacy with and understanding of the world within through his meeting of the natural world around him. His awareness allowed him to marvel at the depth of beauty and the impermanent nature of life. As he wandered and encountered the natural world, he discovered that he was not separate or different from it, but rather he was one with it. As translator Kaz Tanahashi describes: “For Saigyō, a genuine relationship with nature came from living in nature, having union with nature, and being nature.”

We invite you to join us for a one-day practice intensive, in which we will respond to the invitation of Saigyō’s simple poetic observations of the world and explore together how wakefulness might bloom from meeting the world with awareness. Our day will include periods of sitting and walking meditation, teaching, and guided contemplation on Saigyō’s Waka poems.

This Intensive took place on 

Saturday, 17 January 2026

A Note on Teaching:

The retreat was supported in person by Kim Neuschel, entrusted teacher from our sister Sangha, Open Door Zen Community, and Ryan Van Wyk, head student from Awakening Together Zen Community. 

Poems shared during the Retreat

Prompts for the Experiential Actities 

Retreat Resources (Poems and Video Recordings)

Please find information for the book used as the inspiration for the Dharma talk.

Book

• Blossom Awakening:  The Life and Poetry of Wandering Monk Saigyo - Translated by Peter Levitt & Kazuaki Tanahashi