Introduction from Zen of the Soul

Like Conversations with Dalia, Thoughts from Rainy Days, and Whispers from the Heart, Zen of the Soul is a book meant to be reminiscent of listening to an old record. Full of thoughts and words from Dalia that can help one reflect on the bounties of life and take stock of the possibilities of the future. It can be delightfully recognized that there is exactly one page per day of the year. So reminisce accordingly.
The crisp crack filled the air as the needle made contact with the record. The familiar shrills and moans of whale song filled the air, delightfully accented by the periodic hiss and pop of the album. While some prefer the rhythmic ocean waves or the cheery chirping of birds, it was the surreal singing of whales that we loved. "Why do you love whales so much?" I asked her. Dalia smiled like she always does, "Whales are at peace with the world. They have nothing to worry about." She paused, "They get to spend their entire lives being at peace with themselves." I sat up, intrigued by her statement. "We humans spend so much time running about, doing this and that, pretending to be what everyone else wants them to be. Then, all of the sudden, they grow up and have to try to reconcile themselves to who they want to be. They have zen in their souls." -- This is part of the magic of spending time with Dalia. Every day with her was a day finding zen. Rather than spending the day locked in meditation, we would spend the day exploring our deepest self through laughing, talking, and working. Dalia once told me, after whining about some particularly messy chores, "Life is like a quilt. The uniqueness of each patch and thread is what makes it beautiful." I did not appreciate what she meant until years later when I am able to reflect fondly on that experience. It was not life changing but it did add to my life's journey. A journey that has often been messy. Yet, when I look back on my life's quilt so far, I can appreciate the richness that each life experience has brought. Like a whale leaping high to experience the thrill of air and dived so deep that sunlight barely reaches, so too can life bring all its splendors. With each moment we experience, there is an opportunity for us to choose whether we will allow that moment to enrich our soul or discard it, hoping to remain the same.