This letter, addressed to William Murphy Del Cueto Sensei, was written by Carmen Zilka, Cuban living abroad. Buddhist Meditation Practitioner "Vypassna." Represented by, SN Goenka, who visited the "Bushin Dojo" in Cuba in 2008.
Dear G. Murphy,
My name is Carmen and email address I was given by Max Roy.
visit Cuba in recent days and although on previous visits, my friend Maya, had insisted that visit Bushin Dojo, just this last time it was possible.
I was born and raised in San Francisco De Paula, Roy's name was unknown to me, rather I remembered from when I studied in high school, I never exchanged a word and I have a vague memory of his image as a youngster.
What was my surprise when I visit "Bushin Dojo" and I found that Master full of gray hair and respected by all. There
arrive without the slightest idea what was going to find, even with the certainty that let us pass, only with referral from my friend, who had practiced Tai Chi with Roy and how beneficial it had been for her.
Upon arrival, the master Roy was at the door and after a brief introduction that Maya gave us kindly invited us to go. My first impression of the place was a crash, "a Japanese garden in San Francisco De Paula, who is" in the middle of no where. "
Japanese gardens and Japanese design in general, from architecture to arrange floral more to like, I love. From where the attraction, I do not know, just know it's visceral. The hobby of my husband and mine is to visit gardens. In Japanese style, something like that I feel at home, not that, certainly not that of San Francisco.
Well my first view of the garden of Bushin Dojo was a critical eye more than the pond there in front of Maya and I sat down to enjoy the atmosphere and talk of what surrounded us. I have some bonsai, I am not even a newbie, only part of my fascination with the perfection of their style, so I really enjoyed those in the garden.
At some point in our conversation, Roy joined us, I imagine that as part of the tradition to meet a visitor. My dear friend Maya is characterized by idealizing the people and she sees a great Master Roy of recognized nobility of character and spirit. For me, at that time Roy was nothing more than the "gang" who practiced karate which had a vague memory of high school times, now dressed in a suit of Samurai.
My first instinct when someone presents me Maya, I think she has idealized, is to submit to more rigorous and scrupulous testing. So also did my Master of Yoga, Eduardo Pimentel, when she introduced us and which I consider not only her student for life, if not his sister.
For just started to look not only to teachers but to all who were there and the conversation went inside and my doubts were running out. All of a sudden, someone comes to us with tea, and I know of needs that I was touched that they wanted to share a few things, but that was our tradition as Cubans caught my eye ... he who brought us tea, not served until the Master did not invite him, which I interpreted as a sign of respect, maybe it was that there was not much more, but I preferred to stay with the former.
By the time I felt more at ease, we were invited to go inside the Dojo, where students were practicing. All so cute in their uniforms of tradition, the instructor gave us a majestic greeting students nor immutable, they everywhere.
Before entering the practice room, leave their shoes by the door, I realized that all the shoes were lined up and paired, easily could have made ordered mine too, but chose not to, leaving them as you want. As if to say, well I'm hearing, I apologize for letting them watered but do not consider it my discipline.
Then, from inside, I saw the Master putting my shoes and I was embarrassed not only by deliberate action, but I found this gesture, which may go unnoticed for many, acceptance, discipline and humility. Inside
teach and explain to us as we wanted to see and ask. Of course, concerns and curiosity of the recently discovered the warm water. From the wood floor all done by hand, but curiously made, to fix Tokonoma show how much dedication to work there everyone, from receiving, which I imagine it all, even those who teach. I know I was given more information than I could capture and movement of students was not told anything to my blind eyes to this art.
Once outside again, take a new look to the garden and this time I discovered something different, even with much food for so little space, I found much love and many desire to do and to show that there is a different way of being. One way aligned with nature and tradition.
I've told all this, because to say he was impressed with the respect and expertise of the place does not say much, it's just a phrase. I just saying the same thing as a story, it got more.
From there I went as Pilar MartÃ's poetry "Pink Shoes" and also wanted to leave my blanket and my ring. In fact I left my Sukiya Living magazine, which while not as valuable to others, it is for me, of course not without devoting a part of my meditation to achieve something hardly de-addiction.
Roy told me you was his first teacher and I live requested to write to him telling him about my impression on Bushin Dojo, and I know how much I love and respect is a Master, telling has been a pleasure. Please excuse me for having spread, it is just not how to express in two words what it is fascinated with that oasis of spirituality and good manners, and also because people do not know about recently.
My respectful greetings to you,
Carmen.
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