Chanting Emmei Jukku Kannon Gyo (healing and compassion) at the Mountain and Rivers Zen Center in New York.
My spiritual path began the day I was born and given the name Earthlyn Marselean Manuel. Since then the “I” that evolves toward light came through Christianity, a brief practice of Yoruba with a tribe from Dahomey, Native American Sundance ceremony, plant medicine ceremony, divination, congolese drumming, African ritual, spiritual art, and embracing Buddha’s teachings through rigorous practice of chanting, meditation and priesthood. Being given the name Ekai Zenju (ocean of wisdom, complete tenderness), at ordination, marked my commitment to live close to the eo arth. When I was ordained as a priest by Zenkei Blanche Hartman my practice morphed into deeper internal questioning of life. And yet, the path continues, the “I” re-shapes itself and I remain open to the uncertainty life brings.
To all the temples that I have entered on the path I am grateful for the healing. One million deep bows—-Zenju Earthlyn Marselean Manuel
