The Shamanic Bones of Zen

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The author reflects on their spiritual journey, feeling a connection to ancestors through the practice of Zen. They acknowledge their experiences with African and Native American rituals, though lacking full initiation in those traditions. Their background in a black church reveals subtle African cultural influences, yet the church's strict adherence to a cappella hymns and suppression of African elements shaped their early beliefs. This "bare" Christianity, rooted in the Restoration Movement, instilled a sense of simplicity that later resonated with their embrace of Buddhism, particularly Japanese Buddhism. The author left the church due to various reasons, including the exclusion of women from preaching roles, recognizing a calling to teach that was not supported in their conservative environment. Ultimately, they found solace in Nichiren Buddhism and Zen, where they learned to be still and breathe, allowing their ancestors to guide them. This practice became a daily communion with their ancestors, enriching their spiritual path beyond mere ceremonial observance.