A Cantaloupe Story

Many thanks to Marc Fisher for sending this touching Katagiri Roshi story:
“In the spring of 1969, in Berkeley, California, my very first morning zazen was with Katagiri, who was affiliated with San Francisco Zen Center. As part of our breakfast that followed our sitting, we ate in sitting position but slightly relaxed. The first part of our meal was cantaloupe, say about a sixteenth of a whole. I was seated directly in front of Katagiri. There was a great contrast between my messy scoop work, causing dripping galore, and Katagiri’s pristine scoop work, most surgical and jewel-like in nature. That contrast was revelation enough to inspire me to take up an ardent sitting practice.”