I was born in a small farming town in the middle of Michigan. I worked in the fields during summers, helping the farmers pick stones, cut pumpkin stems and bail hay. I was on the swim, soccer and tennis teams. I had a pretty average up bringing as a middle class kid in a middle class town. It would be safe to say that my life has always been right in the middle, generally. Strangely, through all of this mid-America normalcy, I had a chance at a very young age to go to Japan. I was 14. I traveled alone to Tokyo and met my Japanese friend Ken in the heart of the big city. We then traveled to his hometown, a farming town, much like the one I had left behind in Michigan. It was in the small town of Komono that I had my first experience with Buddhism. One of the local villagers had passed away, and the funeral ceremonies were attended to by the local monk. I distinctly remember the chanting, sitting cross legged, and the smell of incense, as the funeral details were completed. My initial impression was to wonder if what I was experiencing was OK. My final decision was that not only was it OK, it was a path that I would pursue. My readings on Buddhism, Zen, and Japan, lead me to consider walking the 88 temple route in Shikoku Japan 2 years ago. It was a fortunate situation for me, as I was accompanied by my sister. Both of us were considering our circumstances in life, and as we walked we were able to work things out for ourselves, and as brother and sister. Such a wonderful journey to share with your sibling is truly an amazing gift that I will never forget. Now I am truly blessed with an incredible friend and partner in life. My wife Mariam. She and I travel, play and live life together. She is an integral part of the continuous wonder of life that unfolds before me. Our conversations often center around breaking down barriers, avoiding distinctions and finding balance. The true teachers of Zen in my life have been my sister and my wife. The buddhas in plain sight! As a yoga teacher, I stress simplicity. With that idea in mind, I will finish for now. I look forward to practicing with you. -Zach Matheson |  |