The Path of Awakening

The invitation came suddenly and with not much time to make plans. A meeting with about 25 spiritual leaders—sufis, yogis, and Buddhists—in the tradition-laden city of Kyoto. Our venue was within the precincts of a traditional temple complex, with views of classic Japanese gardens and ponds, rooms of tatami mats and doorways one has to bow to pass through. Our hosts were from the Shinyo-en sect of Buddhism, a branch of the esoteric, Vajrayana Shingon sect which has a lot in common with Sufism.