Day 5 of the Zen of Spirit journey in southern rural Japan begins as sensei (that’s Japanese for master teacher) Paul Kaye instructs us to just be. Being is our focus this day as we travel to the city of Kurashiki, ride the train to Okayama, and experience the awesome sounds of a master Shakuhachi flute player.
Come into the state of being and do from the state of being, says Paul Kaye. And, we’re off to the city of Kurashiki.
On the train to Kurashiki, we make new friends and laugh as we speak Japanese and they speak English.
Off the train, we walk through the city of Kurashiki.
A class of school children walk by, jumping up and down for the video camera. Everyone wants to be in the movies! Laughing children surround Phil. It’s a moment of joy.
We pass a sign — “May peace prevail on Earth.”
We visit the Ohara museum of art. Sensei Steve Beimel describes Japanese pottery and statues of the Buddha.
Shop, shop, shop in the preserved area of Kurashiki which looks just like it did over one hundred years ago.
A shopping haiku from Judea Jensen:
Shopping like locust
the ocean tide moving in
and out, cleans the shop.
Scrumptious food, food art made of plastic, beautiful textiles. Lunch at a combination French and Japanese restaurant. Bread! Everyone delights.
Serenity. What do you notice?
On to Okayama, home of Esprit travel staff member Yoko Ono, the beautiful, cheerful and radiant one. Yoko presents us with gifts of mochi, Japanese rice cakes, soft and yummy.
An evening of listening. We listen to a master Shakuhachi flute player and ride the sound. Wonderful, wonderful. Can you hear it? Giving gifts to the sensei is a pleasure. Sleep and dream of the sound of the flute, guiding us home to God.
The “Haiku of the Day” from Ken Meyer:
From two worlds eyes meet
in Kurashiki station
I am young again.
And the journey continues….
