Temple gates in Japan have a unique feature: a high wooden doorsill one must be mindful of. It has several symbolic functions other than a practical part of the gate's construction. First, it requires one to look down. In doing so, one must naturally bow one's head. This indicates respect and humbleness. Secondly, awareness is needed. Because if you happen to space-out and not see the sill, you are sure to trip and fall. There is a beautiful Zen temple outside the city of Okayama where this very situation happened with a suprising outcome.

One day at the temple gate, a master was challenging a young disciple. He became iirritated by the monk's reply to a particular koan. Suddenly without warning, he swung his staff to hit the disciple and lost his balance. The master tripped over the sill and fell hard, breaking his leg. He screamed, “Itai!” which translates: a loud and agonizing “Ouch!” Hearing the master's scream, the disciple immediately awakened from his spiritual sleep. Respect, humbleness, awareness — all are qualities deeply-connected with a temple gate. Even enlightenment.

I see New Year like a temple gate. Existence has delivered me to its threshold, generously giving yet another year to grow and discover myself: to live, love, dance and sing, to laugh, cry, meditate and more. New adventures await, just around the corner as Osho would say; as well as new life-lessons to be learned, experienced, and appreciated. With respect and humbleness, I bow in gratitude to the year that was, and with open eyes and heart step over the sill and through the gate. It is too early to say what the new year will bring -- it is a mystery still waiting to be discovered. But it is off to a good start. I stand ready to embrace it.