My first few days in Kyoto I was welcomed by the friendly monk in my neighborhood.
My longest friends in Kyoto...Asami (Japan) and Kelsey (Australia)
Kelsey hosted a Christmas Dinner for friends
Early in Kyoto, I was warmly welcomed to the Reiki group led by Sensei Hyakuten Inamoto. Sensei Inamoto is Japanese Buddhist monk of the Jōdo-shū (浄土宗) or Pure Land School (sect) and international Reiki teacher from Kyoto, Japan. He is only one generation removed from Mikao Usui, the founder of Reiki and travels internationally teaching Reiki principles. Reiki is a spiritual practice originated from Japan for alternative healing therapy.
Enjoy his energy here:
Out of nearly 10 million people in Seoul, Korea, I chose the Airbnb of Brian and Wisdom Kimm and made two lifelong friends in less than 24 hours. I returned again 3 months later to be met again with their kindness, warmth and friendship. I look forward to showing them Austin, Texas soon.
I spent my birthday with Kwan Jeong, Buddhist nun at Baekyangsa Temple and knew I was in the presence of a true spiritual teacher. No words were necessary. So I list her among my friends. Read about my experience here: https://www.sundaysinkyoto.com/post/seoul-korea
My Tai chi family in Kyoto, led by Rumi Sensei and her husband. Rumi is truly one of the most kind and beautiful people I have ever met and was so helpful to me with the English she could speak. Other than that, I just followed along.
Rumi is also a gifted artist. See her work here:
https://www.ruruontheroof.com/
Mayumi Yoda, who connected me to so many new friends
Kyoto Mindfulness Center:
https://www.kyotomindfulness.org/
Noriko Nakata on our visit to Koyasan
Learn more about Peace Boat here: http://peaceboat.org/english/about-peace-boat
Keiko and Kanon, who welcomed me into their home
See Keiko's work here:
https://lunaticanapa.com/
Yasuha Oda, who made it possible for us to have tea with Hitomi Kawasaki, Internationally renowned Bonsai Research Specialist and Curator.
See Yasuha's work here: https://www.instagram.com/yaz_photography85
Visit Gendai Bonsai here:
http://www.gendaibonsai.com/
New friends, the Kentaro Noda Family. Visit his website here:
http://kentaro-safari.com/
Mayu Okamoto, one of the first and kindest people I met in Kyoto. Thanks to her I am now practicing Sumi e.
Visit her website at https://www.be-kyoto.jp/
Hekizan Sokan Muna
Monk of Seikenji Temple.
My Brother from another lifetime. Palms Together
Visit Seikenji's website here:
https://www.seikenji.org/
Dharma-Ryu Martial Arts. Sensei: 73 years old.
Sokan Munakata, monk in training, practicing Takuhatsu
Zen and Ink Journals represents hundreds of hours of writing over the past decade, sometimes from a train in remote China or a coffee shop in Kyoto, a hammock in Costa Rica or a simple cabin on a mountain in Boquete, Panama.
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Zen and Ink was born over a decade ago out of my own personal journey to find peace and tranquility amidst the ever-increasing chaos of our modern world. In the last ten years, the pace of our modern world has only accelerated and we have moved further out of sync with nature and the rhythm of our souls. Zen and Ink offers a quiet space for anyone along their journey seeking more balance and Zen in their daily lives.
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