Now for something different. The room carried a hushed warmth, its soft ochre walls absorbing the edges of sound. Shelves lined with books stood sentry—titles on trauma, cultural resilience, and the delicate architecture of memory—each spine a quiet declaration of its...

Hello everybody, Have you ever paused to wonder how the present moment unfolds? Like a quiet stream flowing effortlessly, the "now" arises—ever-present yet often unnoticed. In Sonomama (as-it-is-ness) practice, we explore this profound mystery by being fully present...

We often find ourselves tangled in thoughts, rushing through life without noticing the peace already available to us. This peace comes from simply being present—without needing to change, fix, or add anything to the moment. Where Does Suffering Come From? Have you...

Have you ever felt trapped by your past, unsure how to move forward? True transformation begins with one essential practice: embracing the present moment just as it is (sonomama). The Japanese concept of sonomama—being with life as it is—forms the foundation for...

The practice of "as it is" involves living daily life while accepting the workings of the six roots (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind) just as they are. It is about simply letting these workings happen and experiencing each moment without attaching unnecessary...

The Importance of Living in This Very Moment "We only live in this very moment. We are only given life here and now." ---Unknown In our daily lives, we often find ourselves caught up in thoughts about the past or the future. It's natural for us as humans to dwell on...

Introduction The concept of “hishiryo”（非思量) is highly valued in the zazen (sitting ZEN) practice. This refers to accepting our sensory faculties—namely, the six roots (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind)—as they are without adding thoughts or judgments. In other...

The "present moment" is not something that increases or decreases. It's not something that attaches to or separates from anything, nor is it something you go looking for. It simply "is." The present cannot be stored away, and this is the truth of our everyday life....

The essence of human suffering lies in perceiving problems as something external to ourselves. We often see issues in our relationships with partners, friends, and children, in our workplaces or schools, or in the state of society. But in reality, these issues only...

Everyone lives within the realm of reality. No one is without the reality or state of this present moment. The current reality exists equally for all. Reality is, in essence, the very state of now. And that reality unfolds upon what we call the self. Who am I? Without...

In a world saturated with digital maps, we sometimes miss the richer cartographies that guide human life and offer timeless wisdom. Indigenous “maps” like the Medicine Wheel of North America and the Kongo Dikenga are not maps in the traditional sense but symbolic...

In Part 1, we explored how the distractions of modern life often lead us to develop habits that help us escape discomfort but ultimately prevent true healing. If you haven’t yet read Part 1, I encourage you to start there to understand the foundation of this...

In today’s fast-paced world, where distractions are endless and discomfort is something we constantly avoid, many of us have developed an addiction—an addiction to escaping the present moment. Whether it’s through substance abuse, constant busyness, or even our...

"Your emotion is validated, but it is not the fact." — Lyric This bit of wisdom didn't come from a textbook or a seminar. It came from Lyric, our server at Café Flora in Seattle, during a lunch with the Huayruro team. Her words struck such a chord that they’ve become...

A river Seems to show the same scenery Every time, yet Its flow Is always new Yesterday’s river is gone The river of an hour ago No longer exists Thoughts are the same Yesterday’s thoughts have vanished And the thoughts of a moment ago Are already gone They are newly...

Anger, left to sit, thickens. It's like a sauce left on the stove too long—what was once fluid and easy to manage hardens, becomes sticky, bitter even. And just like that sauce, our anger—when not attended to—grows more difficult to stir, more challenging to resolve....

In conclusion, suffering is evidence that you are disconnected from the present moment and caught up in illusions. When we try to escape suffering, we often attempt to cover the current pain with a new illusion. For example, we might think of something else to avoid...

People often say, "I'm struggling," or "I want to change myself." The solution to this is "mental strength training." Nothing will change if you continue the same behaviors and thought patterns. In fact, those patterns may become even more entrenched. Mental strength...

Receive the stimuli, Receive even the reactions born from those stimuli, Everything you encounter is a gift, Whether you like it or not, It’s all a gift. The sights before your eyes, The sounds that strike your ears, The scents that tickle your nose, The warmth that...

Do you brush your teeth every day? Then, do you sit and meditate every day? Just as brushing your teeth protects your dental health, a daily practice of "just being" is a crucial foundation for nurturing your inner health. Like brushing your teeth, try creating a...

My mind suddenly found stillness, With the sound and scent of waves. Nature’s breath grounds me, In her ancient rhythm, Balancing the chaos within. Waves come and go, Without intent, Simply being, like me— Present and whole.

Recently, we have heard the term "diversity" in various contexts. This word has become an increasingly important theme in modern society, where people with different cultures and backgrounds coexist. Diversity not only refers to the presence of different people but...

Expanding the Scope of Restorative Justice: Beyond Criminal and Juvenile Matters Restorative justice is often associated with criminal and juvenile matters, where it has proven to be a powerful tool for healing and reconciliation. However, the principles of...

Our eyes and ears, like open windows, do not become upset by what they perceive. They simply see and hear everything as it is (the pure fact, the thing itself) without adding any judgment or emotion. In our daily lives, these senses unconditionally receive vast...

In today's society, there is an overload of information, and more and more people are becoming addicted to thinking. As a result, stress and anxiety are increasing, and the practice of mindfulness is gaining attention. Mindfulness involves directing your awareness to...

Responding to Negative Feelings When we experience a certain feeling or a physical sensation, we tend to start analyzing it by asking, "What is this?" "Why do I feel this way?" or "Oh, this must be because that person said that thing at that time...". While such...

Part 2: Moving Forward Administrative Resistance in the Absence of Demonstrations: A New Challenge As the Gaza encampments have been disbanded and students have gone on break, a new dynamic has emerged: how to sustain dialogue and maintain the momentum for change...

The Magic of 10 In the dynamic environment of a classroom, where teachers often juggle the needs of 120 to 150 students, building strong relationships might seem like an overwhelming task. However, investing time in getting to know each student individually can have a...

I admit, I’m tired. Very tired. Shootings, shootings, shootings… Aren’t you tired of shootings? I am. Very tired. Our babies are killing each other. We’ve lost so many youth, with nothing on the horizon to think, the trend is going to go in the opposite direction. The...

People often struggle with money, health, and relationships. These areas are deeply interrelated, and relationships can be the most challenging because they affect all aspects of life, our interactions with ourselves, others, and society, and our overall well-being,...

Part 1: Navigating Conflict and Hierarchies: The Campus Dialogue on Gaza Encampments The Gaza encampments at several universities have ignited intense debates and conflicts within academic communities. Typically located in prominent areas such as the campus quad,...

In our fast-paced and complex world, being present is increasingly challenging as the drive to seek new things is amplified. We are addicted to stimuli, particularly the urge to solve problems. This pushes us to acquire new knowledge and experiences. While this drive...

Hello everyone, Continuing from last time, today's discussion will also focus on impermanence. Please join me. In our sessions, I often pose the ultimate question: "Who am I?" This is a crucial question in SONOMAMA (as-it-is-ness) practice. Our Essence is Impermanence...

The body is constantly in motion. It always vibrates. Even if you do nothing, your heart beats autonomously, blood flows, food is broken down, absorbed, and digested, cells divide and regenerate, and natural healing processes are at work. There is wholeness in this....

While Sonomama (as-it-is-ness) practice encourages leaving thoughts and feelings as they are, it significantly enhances personal well-being by promoting calmness, awareness, and effective stress management. It’s a paradox! I want to emphasize that you should not chase...

When thoughts of being a victim or feeling weak arise, take a moment to recognize them. That’s simply where you are right now, and it’s okay. No judgment. Be gentle with yourself. Leave it as it is. Sonomama (as-it-is)… let it be. Thoughts appear and disappear...

by: emily We've had two examples in the last month that really exemplifies the power of the Talking Piece. The first was a large group that was in conflict. The first time we sat with them -- the previous year, not in circle -- only 3 people (out of 40) spoke. This is...

Keiko an I have been in Colorado working with Navajo Prep this week. It's been beautiful on so many levels. The idea of legacy emerged and it really got me thinking about how what that word means. At the end of the day the question of legacy is a question of 'what are...

Fundamentally, we cannot truly own anything. Cars, computers, houses, clothes, friends, lovers, partners, parents, and even children—we believe we own these things, but if we think deeply, we realize that true ownership is impossible. Everything in this world is...

It has been almost a year and a half since this meditation community started. Recently, the participants had a chance to reflect on their experiences. We discussed the following questions: what is your experience? Do you see any change? In summary, SONOMAMA (as-it-is)...

We often find ourselves analyzing the moment negative emotions or uncomfortable sensations arise, asking questions like, "What is this?" "Why do I feel this way?" or "Oh, this must be because of what that person said back then. Why did they say that?" While it’s okay...

Learning #3: "profound interconnectedness" by: emily In her trainings, Kay Pranis, a national leader in restorative justice focusing on Peacemaking Circles, talks about the Worldview of the Circle and asks the question: What are the beliefs of the Circle? As we sit in...

It might sound contradictory, but if you leave your thoughts and emotions as they are, your mind will naturally become peaceful on its own. It’s ironic. “Leave them as they are” can be expressed in various ways, such as leaving things alone, not judging what comes up,...

Words and image by Jabali I’ve been sitting here thinking deeply about what it is I’m going to write for this post. So many things come to mind, and yet I really don’t feel like exploring any of them. Do I want to take on another ideological mindset that I find...

One of the Inner Sanctuary community participants has asked a question about the law of attraction. The question is here: “In the law of attraction context, it is often said that events or phenomena occur based on the vibrations you emit. Another perspective suggests...

In our daily lives, we often find ourselves caught between the highs of sweet dreams and the lows of nightmares. Imagine the sweet dream of thinking, "I am enough," and the nightmare of believing, "I am not enough." we are chasing sweet dreams and disliking the...

In the Inner Sanctuary, we practice sonomama (as-it-is) meditation, rooted in Zen, to cultivate the capacity to be with things just as they are. But this practice doesn’t end on the cushion—it continues moment by moment, throughout the day. Zazen (sitting meditation)...

In the world of phenomena, various things happen based on a timeline from the past to the present and into the future. However, in reality, there is only now, and all there is is the way it is now. There is always only now, this moment. Moreover, in a sense, it is...

When we start to practice meditation, people usually get more curious about how to deal with their thoughts. "I want to silence these thoughts" or "These thoughts are too noisy" tend to demonize thoughts. However, please give up controlling thoughts because it is...

Learning #2: "equal human dignity & voice" by: emily In her trainings, Kay Pranis, a national leader in restorative justice focusing on Peacemaking Circles, talks about the Worldview of the Circle and asks the question: What are the beliefs of the Circle? As we...

My hope was that somewhere in Austin’s remaining text there would be some clarity provided as to how silence in times of deep moral questioning serves students for the betterment of their development. Especially because in the words of Desmond Tutu, “[i]f you are...

Using one’s experience in writing as a function of context setting is a very useful tool. It can help leave the reader with the sense of human possibility, as well as an example of how the author actually used the insights they are sharing in their writing. Austin’s...

The juice dripped down my fingers as they gently touched his lips. I worried that the rind might be too much for him to chew, so when I fed him the next piece, I broke it in half and pulled the flesh from the rind before placing it in his mouth. He chewed slowly and...

Today's theme is thoughts. At some point, we've all wished we could control our unpleasant thoughts. If it were possible, we could eliminate suffering by ensuring only pleasant thoughts arise. However, in reality, trying to control our thoughts often proves...

The following is an essay in three different parts. Given all that is unfolding in the world it feels even more pressing to lean into these matters. Thanks for joining me on the journey. While this document has been constructed, organized, and primarily written by me,...

Without grasping, without letting go, just as it is, just as it is… Welcome to Inner Sanctuary, a meditation community dedicated to nurturing inner peace and liberation. With over 20 years of Zen practice, I am honored to guide this community in practicing SONOMAMA,...

Happy New Year to us. I write this as I settle into the boundaries of my cocoon for the winter. My goo spreading out to fill every nook and cranny. Something new is cooking in this lunar year of the Metal Ox. I can feel it, and welcome it. I have long had a practice...

By Louise P. “We are different, we do different.” You got that right. As an intern with Huayruro, I have been welcomed into a world that does different, looks different, and above all, feels different. It is hard to put into words the feeling of Huayruro, as it is...

Huayruro is excited to share a special edition video circle focused on the theme of Celebration of a Loving Community. Reflections of Celebration, Community, Eldership and Love is the focus. Included is our special reflections of spending quality 3D time with one of...

Thanks for passing the talking piece to me Monica. That concludes our introduction round, and a rich round it was. With we hope you get a sense of who we are as individuals, and what is present when we share space collectively. This is what we offer you. We are a...

Keiko & emily spend 3 days and 2 nights at Mt. Rainier doing Leadership Development Day 1: Fryingpan Creek Trailhead -> Summerland -> Fryingpan campsite (4.8 miles) Day 2: Fryingpan campsite -> Ohanapakosh campsite (1.2 miles) Day 3: Ohanapakosh campsite...

Thank you emily for passing me the talking piece. My name is Dave. I'm a caregiver and a listener. I am a son, a brother, a husband, a father, an uncle, and a friend. I was born in Denver, Colorado, and lived the first 20 years of my life, east of the Rockies. I moved...

Thank you, Wesley, for passing me the Talking Piece. My name is emily. I’m so grateful to be a part of the Huayruro team. If you would have asked me 10 years ago if I’d be sitting in this chair right now, I probably wouldn’t have believed it. 10 years seems like a...

An insight to my Now Thanks for passing it to me Keiko. I am James Wesley Saint Clair. I prefer my middle name so I am known as Wesley. I was introduced to peacemaking in my role as a juvenile court judge. I was engaged by community activists who objected to building...

Thank you, Jabali, for passing the talking piece to me. Hi everyone, my name is Keiko; its meaning is a child of the tree “Cercidiphyllum japonicum” or “ Katsura.” According to a Chinese legend, Katsura means high ideal in the moon. I love trees and I love my name. I...

I remember running cross country in HS with this awful cross country coach. He and I butted heads intensely, and I never really felt understood. During pre-season “two-a-days,” I would always struggle getting back into shape; I would get these excruciating side...

Huayruro’s November theme is: The Power of Community. When you hear the phrase ‘the power of community,’ what does it make you think about, particularly as it pertains to this cultural and political moment? What does the power of community mean to you on November 2nd,...

A conversation with Jabali and Dave that is far from finished.

I strongly believe that art is a powerful tool for social change. In the midst of the current racial tensions we all are experiencing, and as a Seattle artivist I’ve been thinking about how whiteness plays out when it comes to equity in the local arts industry. How...

The times in which we find ourselves represent The Perfect Storm. Elevated emotional tensions due to Covid-19 created an unprecedented canvas. The blood spread on the canvas includes that of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Dion Johnson, and George Floyd. A...

Things were looking pretty good for me on Thursday, April 4th,1968--just another day in the life of an adolescent black male in Kansas City, Missouri. But the day which began as rather ordinary became a day that would define me for the rest of my life. As on most...

Part 1 I have long held a position of opposition to Aesop's parable of the ant and grasshopper. Aesop's story tells of a grasshopper that makes music all through the summer and then has no food in the winter. The ant, who in the summer worked to store food for the...

This semi-structured conversation between Jabali and emily was inspired by an image by Abacus Corvus. The Moon is Always Full. We have been dancing with the idea of ‘shadow’ for many months now, and this seems like the perfect time to explore it more! Jabali: These...

By emily warren The more difficult the situation is, the more critical it is to have high fidelity implementation. High fidelity implementation does not happen quickly. Without experience and practice there is a risk of failure in using circles for the most...