Consuelo de Luna (傳微),
Coordinator , Environment Protection Section

In my family, I noticed that I think differently from my siblings. I have always been drawn to spiritual cultivation. As a seeker, I used to search for places that could lead me to a deeper understanding about life. In college, I studied Philosophy and Political Science and came to know about Zen from books. Then, my friend Wowee Ilejay invited me to the Autumn Moon celebration at Ocean Sky in 2007. I was told that classes were still open, so I enrolled. That led to my five-year involvement with the monastery.

In November 2007, I attended two classes, and also helped out around the monastery, cleaning the Chan Hall and the 2nd floor lecture hall
two times a week. Volunteerism has become part of my life from then on. I found out that I could do what others didn’t want to take on. While I am used to giving orders, I now take orders from others, to clean, sweep, and mop the floors, chores that might seem lowly to most people, but has filled me with great Dharma joy.

I have learned to come to terms with myself. I realized that being alone does not necessarily mean being lonely. I have learned to forego many of my attachments, especially shoes. For example, I know I’m not a centipede, so why do I have to own 87 pairs of shoes? That’s just too many! I also try to reflect on what causes my irritations, because I easily get vexed when people fall short of my standards. I have learned much from the classes about the Six Paramitas (Six Perfections), principles that we can apply in our own lives. I understand and cherish the value of the present moment, and how to let go. Buddhism is now a way of life for me!