By the Rev. Charles K. (isen) Weaverling
For The Cordova Times
Spring is a wonderful and inspiring time of the year. Buddhists celebrate the birth/rebirth of Buddha, Jews celebrate their escape and renewal in Passover, and Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ in Easter observances.
The natural world reflects the spiritual world in springtime, and things are reborn and renewed in a never-ending cycle of life. Crocus return, as do geese, salmon and sunshine. Summer begins to arrive and winter finally leaves.
Though we don’t know when the actual moment occurs, it always happens right around now. Easter and Passover are called “moveable feasts,” because the times vary every year. Easter happens on Sunday, but it could happen in March or April.
Spring, also, is not a fixed date. It’s supposed to coincide with the solar equinox, but we all know that sometimes spring arrives a little early or a little late. I suppose the actual date is not as important as the actual event.
It’s easy to mimic the weather and season, and being enclosed in the dark, cold, isolated and dreary winter affects us. Spring reminds us that however difficult our times may be, that it is certain that things will change.
We can take inspiration from all this in our current time of trial and tribulation and know with certainty and faith, that this too, shall pass. We don’t know exactly when the darker days will pass, but we do know that brighter days are on the way.
The Rev. Charles K. (isen) Weaverling is leader of the Pathless Way Cordova Zen Community.
