“Stay on the trail!” my father would say on family hikes. It expressed his care for the land and is a strong habit for me still. So it felt oddly transgressive to be in Yellowstone this weekend, first hiking a “real” trail marked on the map, then following paths made by bison, and then just striking out cross-country to reach the road. When we were no longer on a human-made trail, we felt more vulnerable, on higher alert for bison and bears, even though the landscape was the same. But we also grew more confident in our ability to observe and navigate without a “real” trail. Life often feels the same way: anxious when we are unsure of the path; relaxed when we are. Following the path of Buddha Dharma is wonderful in two seemingly contradictory ways. As a guide, it offers tools to navigate an uncertain world. But as a practice, it also helps us tolerate uncertainty. I am grateful to take refuge in both. Are you a “stay on the trail” person? How do you experience the path of practice?

This Dharma Thought brought to you by Steve Allison-Bunnell with Joining Rivers Sangha which meets on Mondays at 7PM.

This Dharma Thought is brought to you by Steve Allison-Bunnell with the Joining Rivers Sangha which meets every Monday at 7PM.

A friend I’ve known for 35 years, and haven’t seen in 25, still sends me a handwritten letter on actual stationery once a year. And of course I answer her in kind. It’s a sweet form of connection, acknowledging the depth of our first friendship in college, and our continued mutual respect over the arc of adulthood. Writing with a pen, trying to choose my words to avoid cross outs, I’m able to reflect on the essence of my life in the past year in a way that texts or emails don’t invite. Unlike social media, I don’t have to pretend everything is the best ever, or try to measure up to my friend’s experience. What comes out is unvarnished and from the heart — the way we talked when we were housemates so long ago. And as I continue on the Path of Practice,  this pause to write to her feels even more like a sacred space. Who do you maintain a long-term connection with? How is it special and precious?