Late October 2021 was my second visit to the Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe. Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, access inside any of the buildings was not allowed. It was a stunningly beautiful fall day and I walked the grounds for a half hour. I had a chance encounter with one lovely female resident. She apologized that they were not open and said they currently have twelve residents.
It appears that a number of new residences are under construction. This will be a wonderful retreat spot once they are completed.
What stood out to me about the visit was that the peace of the space was remarkable. Anymore in life, this is what I am seeking. Palpable peace. One doesn’t encounter it all that often, but when I do, I take note of it. I marvel at it. I take it with me and it lasts for quite a long time.
Part of Upaya’s peaceful feeling can be attributed to its wonderful Nature setting, but I do not believe that explains all of the feeling.
The last time I noted such a palpable peace was when I made a phone call to my Qigong center with a question. One of the Qigong resident masters in training answered the phone. After he addressed my practice question wisely and intuitively, and we ended the conversation, I realized the peace that he radiated was perceptible and amazing.
The Upaya Zen Center, founded by Roshi Joan Halifax, does a nice weekly podcast called “Dharma Podcasts”. To sign up for it or to listen to it, go here.
Above, a Buddha statue stands in the center of a deer proofed corn and vegetable garden at Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe.
One Seeker's Story 