So today is Friday, our last day ‘officially’ on this retreat together. ‘Together’ is a key word today, the day of the red family, padma, the day of the fire element. This is the element of the lotus, a flower that flourishes in the mud (‘May we exist in muddy water with purity like a lotus,’ the oryoki chant leader says, or in French, ‘Dans l’eau boueuse, puissions-nous demeurer avec purté comme un lotus.’). The mud is right here, the mud of our lives just as they are. What is purity? Be attentive to that…

Today, pay attention to red and fire and heat and connection and communication as you go about your day. This padma family is about compassion and wisdom through union, but it can also be about seduction and passionate jealousy. Can you feel those aspects of yourself? Look closer!

I’ll end with an appeal for each of you to leave a trace of your presence during the week by offering a few words here. I’m immensely grateful for this experience shared with you all. Many thanks, merci, obrigada…