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While living at the Shim Gwang Sa (Mind Light Temple) from 2005-2021, Zen Master Sebastian Rizzon had the unique experience of living with and learning directly from enlightened Zen Master Chang Sik Kim for over 16 years. Currently working as a visual artist and writer while finishing editing his upcoming book, Into the Mind, a poetic exploration of the Zen practice. He is a Zen Sword and Martial Arts Master in the art of Shim Gum Do (Mind Sword Way) and Shin Boep (Body Dharma) and the founder of the Zen Art Center at the Joy Street Studios in Somerville, teaching students how to use meditation to find inspiration and enhance the art of life.

Dreams in the Sky

Sebastian Rizzon

Prayer and Gratitude

The blue-eyed grass gaze into the sky
imagining heaven above the clouds
beyond the violent weather of the world
in a galaxy of eternal peace:
growing with the meadow to the rhythm of the seasons
reaching out for love with one mind;
meditating on the mantra of the sun,
chanting in unison while praying for water.
The gracious air listens gathering the strength of the clouds,
wielding the power of thunder to rain with compassion
as the teary-eyed grass bow in gratitude until the storm passes.
At night the flowers sleep and the unfettered mist rises
planting our dreams in the sky with the millions of stars,
appearing in the darkness like shiny silver coins cast into a well,
wishing to persuade the will of the universe.
While the sparkling seeds illuminate the heavens with inspiration
the eye’s mind becomes a clear mirror in the emptiness,
reaching the full bloom of enlightenment
as a reflection blossoms in an explosion of beauty.

— Zen Master Sebastian Rizzon

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