As the clock struck midnight, I sat silently at Upaya Zen Center, immersed in zazen. There was no countdown, no fireworks, just the gentle rhythm of my breath and the profound stillness of sitting together in the community. As 2024 ends, I shared in the tradition called the Bells of New Year’s Eve. The bells mark the transition into the new year with the ringing of the temple bell 108 times. Each bell is rung and allowed to resonate until the sound fades away. In Buddhist teachings, the number 108 represents the delusions and desires that cloud our minds and lead to suffering. Each chime of the bell is a symbolic act of releasing these burdens, cleansing the heart and mind, and preparing to greet the new year with clarity and compassion.

The sound of the bell oddly adds to the stillness of the night, creating a space for reflection and mindfulness. As the final bell echoes into the new year, it’s a reminder of impermanence and renewal—an invitation to step into the future with a fresh perspective, an open heart, and a commitment to peace. Whether heard in person, online, or in spirit, the Bells of New Year’s Eve offer a moment of profound stillness and hope for the year to come. It gives us a moment to remember those who passed this year.

Remembering a Friend

This year, I remembered Jeff Cabbage—a remarkable man whose life was a testament to joy and love. When I graduated with my MSN, his wife Lori, radiant and expecting their first child, was walking across the same stage. Over the years, Jeff and I stayed connected through Facebook and shared a passion for Tennessee Volunteer football. He became a constant reminder of the power of a simple smile, the profound impact of being a devoted father and husband, and the value of hard work.

Though life is impermanent and ALS ravaged his body, it could not touch the strength of his spirit. His life came to an end, but his smile remains etched in my heart, a source of warmth. I ache for Lori, their children, grandchildren, and all who loved him, but I carry his memory forward as a beacon of the love he embodied. I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and hope for 2025 in that quiet moment.

No Resolutions: Only a Promise

The New Year often arrives with resolutions—promises to improve ourselves, our habits, or our lives. This year, I’ve chosen a different path. Rather than resolving to change something internal, I am making a promise: a vow to embody the principles of my life as a Soto Zen priest. I promise to work tirelessly for environmental justice, peace, and compassion.

As I step into this new year, I recommit to living my vows as a Soto Zen priest by embodying the teachings of the Triple Treasures, the Three Collective Pure Precepts, and the Ten Great Precepts. These vows are not mere words; they are a guide for how I aim to walk through life with clarity, compassion, and purpose.

From generation to generation, Buddhas and Ancestors have transmitted the Triple Treasures—Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. I will honor the Buddha as an embodiment of awakening, follow the Dharma as a path to wisdom, and nurture the Sangha, the community of practice, with care and respect.

The Three Collective Pure Precepts call me to live with a pure heart: to abstain from unwholesome actions, to cultivate wholesome actions, and to dedicate myself to the benefit of all beings. These precepts remind me that every choice I make—large or small—can contribute to a more compassionate world.

The Ten Great Precepts provide the structure for this practice. They guide me to abstain from actions that cause harm—whether through taking life, stealing, dishonesty, or ill-will—and to nurture qualities that bring healing, generosity, and understanding. These vows challenge me daily to step beyond self-interest and live in alignment with my deepest intentions.

Keeping these vows means living with humility, mindfulness, and a commitment to serve. It means showing up for others, even when it’s difficult. It means striving to see the Buddha-nature in all beings and working to create peace, justice, and compassion wherever I can.

This is my promise—to carry these vows into every moment of my life to honor the teachings, my community, and the world we share.

This promise is not new, but the new year offers a moment to recommit. The world’s challenges—climate change, violence, inequality—can feel overwhelming. But I believe in the transformative power of small, deliberate actions. I often read posts from my rural hometown in Tennessee and see neighbors helping neighbors. I don’t see the hate-filled posts of anonymous people. Sitting in Zazen reminds me that every moment is an opportunity to choose peace, cultivate compassion, treat everyone as a small-town neighbor, and live in harmony with all beings.

Invitation to Sit

As we enter this new year, I extend an invitation: sit with me. You don’t need to have experience with Zen practice or meditation or prayer or profess any religion. You only need the willingness to pause, breathe, and be present. Together, we can create a ripple of stillness and clarity that extends far beyond ourselves.

May this year be one of peace. May compassion spread like sunlight, touching everything in its path. And may we, together, nurture the world with our thoughts, words, and actions.

Happy New Year.
Let us sit together at https://www.youtube.com/@MissouriZenCenterMitras/streams, or email me, and I can send you a Zoom link.