I don't use an alarm clock, so not surprised that I woke up later at 5:18am. I bolted out of bed, quickly washed up, and was out the door at 5:26. I knew I could make it to the Zendo by 5:50 with a short burst of running, so walked most of the way and ran the final 3 blocks.
Zazen was average. Had trouble breathing due to allergies. Stomach quiet.
Am quickly learning the service routine and procedure. Bow, chant, bow.
Perhaps because I rely upon my internal clock to get me out of bed at such an early hour that my sleep patterns have been unpredictable. I lay in bed for 90 minutes in the middle of the night in a half state of dream and wakefulness.
Rained most of the day, first rain in a long while. The season has changed. My energy is low, did not feel like doing anything. Received an email from a friend a couple of days ago, had not heard from her in couple of years. This afternoon I wrote to her, describing my journey to the East last year and shared the images I made while traveling.
Took a long nap from 5:30-8:15pm.
It is 8:30pm now, will do zazen while listening to a dharma talk.
One more day of early zazen at the zendo, then a break (Temple closed on Saturdays).
