Eon Zen Practice Leader Sam Sokyo shares photos and stories from her travels to the Salton Sea and reflections on vulnerability in Zen practice.

We often try to hide parts of ourselves we don’t like, to protect ourselves, yet we all long to be seen. True nakedness involves accepting ourselves just as we are so we can be fully open and authentic with others. Only in relationship can we see where our edges are, where we may be still be protecting ourselves and disconnecting from our own aliveness. Taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, we can begin to take off our armor, one piece at a time.

What happens when we let those layers of protection go? What is there to protect? Who is doing the protecting? 

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Books referenced in this talk:

The Wisdom of No Escape and the Path of Loving-Kindness by Pema Chödrön

Becoming Yourself: Teachings on the Zen Way of Life by Shunryu Suzuki

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Sokyo has been on wandering pilgrimage in a hermitage-on-wheels since 2022. Learn more at samsokyorandall.com