The Zen of the Marsh

The term Zen is shortened from mushin no shin (無心の心), a Zen expression meaning the mind without mind and is also referred to as the state of “no-mindness”. That is, a mind not fixed or occupied by thought or emotion and thus open to everything. It is translated by D.T. Suzuki as “being free from mind-attachment”.

When I think of beautiful scenery, I think of snowy mountains, deep blue lakes, ocean views, mountain meadows, just to name a few of my thoughts. For some reason, I never thought of a marsh.   Not that I didn’t think of the marsh as beautiful.  I just never spend time in a marsh setting until the past few years.  It was then that I became familiar with the colors, the water, the birds and animals and the Zen feeling.

My husband is a hunter. Although I don’t hunt, sometimes I go with him and sit in the duck blind. The marsh is a beautiful place, especially early in the morning as the morning light is getting brighter and it is too early to hunt. The birds are calling and chirping. The owls are hooting and sometimes fly overhead. You may hear the coyotes howling nearby.   The water is reflecting the moon overhead and the marsh grass, cotton tails, and occasional trees look like shadows (sometimes spooky) in the early morning darkness.   I like to think of the quiet time in the early morning as the Zen of the marsh.  

I do some of my best thinking when outside in beautiful scenery.  Looking over the marsh and the sky, I am relaxed, and my mind is cleared of the usual stuff that clutters my thinking.  I don’t know if I am achieving perfect enlightenment, but it is conducive to clear thinking and pondering. 

What do I ponder?   Lately I think about my mom quite a bit.   She passed away last year at 100 years old in March.   It was wonderful to have her around for so many years.   Although she was failing in her late 90’s, she led a full life and was quite active for a number of years.  During her older years, she shared many stories of growing up in San Francisco and spending the summers in Rio Nido on the Russian River in a cabin that my grandfather built.  My favorite story is one about how she met my father.   He lived in nearby Santa Rosa and would come to the beach and the local dances on weekends.  My mom saw him on Rio Nido Beach for a number of years.   He asked her out numerous times, but she always said no.    When WWII started, my dad joined the Navy and was gone for a few years.   When he returned home, he asked my mom out again while in Rio Nido, but this time she said yes.  I remember my dad telling me that when he first met my mom at a dance in Rio Nido before the war, he knew she was the woman he would marry.  

I do believe that when one takes time to ponder things and be thoughtful, you are in synchronicity and end up where you should be.   Recently my husband joined a duck hunting club.  I go with him quite a bit.  Although most times I don’t go with him when he hunts,  I enjoy staying at the compound,  reading,   writing, and walking, and of course thinking.   I had mentioned to him that it would sure be nice if I met a few gals to walk with.   Fast forward and I met four terrific gals whom I have quite a bit in common with and they love to walk.  We also enjoy an occasional cup of coffee or dinner with our husbands.  I didn’t rush trying to meet folks but went with the flow.  Things just fell into place and one thing led to another. 

In today’s social media world and nonstop cable TV and news feed, it is sometimes difficult to slow down and be Zen, but I strive for it daily.