Every Day is a Good Day - Bill Tetsui Press - 6/4/26

We can all agree that life seems to be a mixed bag. There are blessings and there are unfortunate occurrences. There are days where everything feels like your good merit is coming to fruition and days where nothing seems to be going right. Master Yunmen, one of the most revered Chan masters of the Tang Dynasty, challenged his students to see that "every day is a good day," regardless of relative circumstances. This teaching can be found in Case 6 of the Blue Cliff Record koan collection, and that is where Bill Tetsui Press picks it up. Tetsui, who will be recognized as a Dharma holder on August 23rd—essentially a junior teacher in the White Plum tradition of Zen—lives in Berkeley, CA although he has been a very regular part of our sangha here at ZCLA for a number of years. He began his practice in San Diego under the late Charlotte Joko Beck and is currently a student of Roshi Kipp Ryodo Hawley. Tetsui has also led our online morning zazen group on Zoom for a number of years. In this talk, Tetsui relates the koan to his own experience, as he is currently undergoing cancer treatments. As he says, “All practice is asking us to do is to experience our life, what’s actually happening, exactly as it is.” Attending to our circumstances, without placing a value judgement on them, or insisting on a particular outcome, can reveal our innate spaciousness which can then help us appreciate what we have. “*Every day* is our life, just as it is," Tetsui continues. "Thoughts and emotions are life itself. Alive. A good day." Join us online this Sunday morning to witness Tetsui's recognition ceremony with Roshi Ryodo officiating. Find the link at ZCLA.org/upcoming-events Support the show These talks are offered freely. If you feel moved to make a donation to the Zen Center, just click here. ZEN CENTER OF LOS ANGELES www.zcla.org