Four of the 12 people in our 30-day cyber-sitting Sangha got together last night to sit in the same room.

We improvised, used yoga mats, sofa cushions, bed pillows and one chair. We sat for 30 minutes and it felt like 10 to me. The smell of incense, other people breathing and sitting still, Romeo, Deb’s cat, joining us. It was intimate and deep. At the end of the sit we read from the Tao te Ching, our usual practice when class is in session. We began with verse 30.

Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men
doesn’t try to force issues
or defeat enemies by force of arms.
For every force there is a counterforce
Violence, even well intentioned,
Always rebounds upon oneself.

The Master does his job
and then stops.
He understands that the universe
is forever out of control,
and that trying to dominate events
goes against the current of the Tao.
Because he believes in himself,
he doesn’t try to convince others.
Because he is content with himself,
he doesn’t need others’ approval.
Because he accepts himself,
the whole world accepts him.

Then we ate Deb’s homemade chili and salad, fresh fruit and sorbet. We ended the evening with a very short 15 minute sit and capped it off with a little chanting, sans bells and drum. Namu Dai Bosa – 21 times. It means gratitude. Romeo made love to his rabbit doll and mewed along with us.

A fine ending to a 30-day vow. We all recommitted to another 30 days.