Apr 18, 2004, Spring is almost upon us.

Even though it is supposed to snow this afternoon and temperatures will drop to near freezing, one can sniff Spring is trying to break through and that Winter is having its last hurrah. We've just had the exhibition of Christo's Gates here in Central Park - quite an event. It will take two weeks to dismantle so it's still possible to see and walk beneath some of the orange (sorry, saffron) curtains. I think the most remarkable feature of the art event, was how many people it brought to the city. And in Central Park everyone was in a great mood with a smile on their face. Burma was amazing. The retreat, very intense and concentrated. The only downside was the fact that the monastery was on the side of a hill and there was a great deal of walking up and down steps every day - at least a hundred steps between the meditation hall and the dining hall - I now have an extremely painful torn miniscus in my left knee. The doctors say that there is a chance it will heal by itself but if not, I'm looking at surgery! One of the most interesting aspects of this injury is that I can no longer sit on the floor to meditate, it is interesting for me to see just how attached I am to a particular position. The challenge is: can I still be in the now, mindful, concentrated, if I'm sitting in a chair? Do I feel that somehow my meditation practice isn't as good if I'm sitting in a chair? Attachment. Attachment. Attachment. And, of course, it has already altered my daily choices - I cannot dash around quite the same way as I'm used to. We all say that we don't mind aging but if some negative thing happens to the vehicle in which we move, it seems to be a whole new ball game. When I cancelled my trip to India earlier, I wasn't too sure why I was doing it. All I know is that now I'm glad, I could never have travelled around with this injury. However, my days are very full. I've embarked on an intensive French language course. I've always wanted to learn French and now I'm seeped en francais. It certainly is a struggle but enjoyable and since I'm going to Paris at the beginning of April, I'll have an opportunity to practice speaking la lanue du pays. I do apologise to all those who were signed up for the retreat at Siena in Watermill. For reasons beyond my control, the retreat had to be cancelled. But the really sad news is that the Dominican sisters who run the retreat center, are selling the property. It is a place of exceptional beauty and tranquility, I just hope it goes to a spiritual entity. Everything changes! Everything comes to pass away. The book continues to do well and I have a fair amount of speaking engagements lined up.