6:00 a.m. Very few things beat greeting the day with zazen as the sun is rising above the ocean.


8:00 a.m. After sitting I do moving meditation—either running or swimming—as a continuation of my seated zazen.


9:00 a.m. On my way home I stop at my favorite fruit stand for some freshly squeezed juice. I chat with the locals and catch up on local news, gently easing into my day.


11:00 a.m. Dharma friends have been visiting me since I moved to Mexico, which is wonderful in itself and also a welcome respite from all of my virtual work.


3:00 p.m. I spend my afternoons meeting with my students. Some are brand new to meditation; others have some experience but are seeking to deepen their Zen practice.


vanessa zuisei goddard

6:00 p.m. I try to devote time to writing every day. Closely observing my experiences and then expressing them as vividly as I can has been an excellent practice.

See more of Zuisei’s day on Instagram @tricyclemag.

Check out previous installments of “A Day in the Dharma” featuring Mindy Newman, Wangmo Dixey, Josh Korda, Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison, the members of the Village Zendo, and six Buddhist teachers in quarantine.