by Reishin Denise Leong
The annual women-led retreat was held September 17-20, at Holy Wisdom Monastery near Madison, Wisconsin, continuing a tradition that began in 2013. On the second day of this retreat, we were presented with a koan about impermanence and change: “What stops you from being intimate with the way things are?” And so we meditated and pondered.
… and all the while, we were being supported in a sanctuary built by a small group of Benedictine sisters with a great reverence for the environment. Their commitment to healing the Earth began over 30 years ago with planting a few saplings and spreading grass and wildflowers seeds over two acres of their land. Facing many challenges over the years, the sisters, along with many volunteers and organizations, restored the natural prairie, now over 170 acres. In addition, they have made the entire campus a net-zero property, producing 100% of their energy from renewable resources onsite.
“We need refugia now for the human spirit where we can come and remember what it is to be human, remember that basically, inside of us, the best of us is kind and generous and compassionate.” – Sister Lynne Smith
Called small but mighty by The New York Times, these women accepted things as they were, but with great faith, purpose, and unwavering commitment worked to change what they could, one seed, one acre at a time. Deep bows to these sisters.
As I wandered through the restored prairie beneath towering, watchful trees, I grew more intimate with the world as it is, with the way things are. Acceptance. Sitting with sangha in this sacred place, I also realized that when faced with the challenges that arise with the way things are or when change happens, if I meet them with equanimity, kindness, and compassion, I can then more clearly discern what can be done. Holy Wisdom.
The truth of impermanence. Everything changes. But we can play a mighty part in the change we want to see happen. The path runs straight ahead.
Note: This retreat was funded in part by the Frederick P. Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism and their focus on Women in Buddhism. Deep gratitude for their support.
