James Ishmael Ford
Boundless Way Zen

For Ananda on the Four Year Memorial of his Death

Claude,

Four years?

In some very real ways you were my first teacher. You showed me the
actual physical practice of zazen.

Later many times you popped up in my life, maybe I popped up in yours,
who gets the leading and supporting roles is such a mystery.

Your irreverence, your challenging, your making sure no one got too
comfortable informs me to this day, and, when I take the teacher's
seat, as I do on occasion, you sit just behind my head, my heart,
making sure I don't get too full of myself.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Endless bows,

Your student,

James