After 32 years fighting fires, I bought a mountain cabin for peace. Then my nephew said, “I’m turning it into a retreat. Be grateful.” I stayed silent. When he arrived with guests and a sheriff, they discovered the paperwork I’d prepared. I spent $385,000 on a small cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains after 32 years fighting fires in Charlotte. I wanted quiet. Pines. A porch where nothing screamed for my attention. I closed on the place, moved in with two duffel bags, and slept better than I had i

Take a Breath at These Retreat Centers in the Hudson Valley

Zen Practice | Yokoji Zen Mountain Center

The Zen Mind

445K views · 47 reactions | Leonard Cohen was ordained as monk in the mid 90s. He lived in a zen monastery on Mount Baldy (Los Angeles). His monk name was “Jikan” — the silent one. Because he’d take a vow of silence for long periods. Cohen spent 5 years there before giving up the robes. | ONLY POEMS | Facebook