In this issue:
- Jewels and Sweating Horses
- Zen of Coaching: Course for Executive Coaches
- A Poem, by William Stafford
- Half Day Meditation Retreat, October 12th
- 3-day Retreat, Green Gulch Farm, February 5 – 8, 2026
There is an expression from the Zen tradition: “Behind each jewel are three thousand sweating horses.”
In researching this adage it appears to be from Ummon, a renowned 9th century Chinese Zen teacher; the same teacher who said “Every day is a good day.”
I actually had the opportunity to spend three years with sweating horses. Many years ago, when I lived at the San Francisco Zen Center’s Green Gulch Farm, I was assigned the task of learning how to farm with horses. (I thought someone must have mis-read my resume, noticing perhaps, that I was from The Garden State, New Jersey.) We had two 1,500 pound Percheron draft horses, Snip And Jerry. They were fairly old, mostly moved slowly, not a lot of sweat. And they were quite patient with me, since I knew little about horses or farming. Those were amazing years, with many jewels, (and a few wild, near-death experiences…)
During these extraordinary times I’ve been even more aware and appreciative than usual of the jewels in my life as well as reflecting on the sweating horses, all those that support me and have supported me from the past.
There are jewels everywhere, beginning with things that are easy to overlook and take for granted, like being alive; our ability to see and think and smell and hear. I’m spending more time appreciating my family and friends, students and teachers, as jewels. This is not something new, but now accentuated through the lens of uncertainty. Looking out my window I see jewels, pretending to be leaves on trees, shimmering in the wind and the sound of a misty rain. Everything is shiny and alive.
The sweating horses in some way are also the jewels, just looked at from a different perspective; from the perspective of support, commitment, preparation, and hard work.
I think about and recognize all the support I’ve head in my Zen training. I’ve had some exceptional teachers, starting when I was in my early 20’s till the present. And those Zen sweating horses go back in time thousands of years. For me, lots of jewels and sweating horses — from the early days of the San Francisco Zen Center, to the rich traditions in Japan, China, and India – to the historical Buddha more that 2,500 hundred years ago.
And I think about all the support, all the sweating horses from my business life. From NYU business school, to investors in my companies, to employees, and customers, and vendors. So much sweat! So much support. All jewels.
I know these times are uncertain, filled with stress and challenges, sometimes bringing up dread and fear; often longing for something that feels more normal. Exploring a different perspective – acknowledging and appreciating the ordinary and extraordinary, the support you’ve received and have given to others – can help foster recognition that every day is indeed a good day.
Practice
Who and what are some of the jewels in your life? How about the sweating horses?
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Zen of Coaching: For Executive Coaches: Transforming Others, Becoming Your Best Self, Changing The World
An online course, beginning October 24th
Coaching is a way of helping others find the deepest places of their hearts.
Program Overview
Zen of Coaching is a transformational program for executive coaches and leaders who want to deepen their presence, expand their impact, and build a coaching practice rooted in wisdom, not just performance. Blending Zen principles, mindfulness, and real-world leadership experience, this course—created by Marc Lesser, the Zen teacher and CEO who helped bring mindful leadership to Google—supports you in cultivating stillness, navigating complexity, and coaching with greater authenticity, clarity, and purpose.
To register and for more information.
A Poem by William Stafford
Jewels and Sweating Horses reminds me of part of a poem.
You Reading This Be Ready
Will you ever bring a better gift for the world
than the breathing respect that you carry
wherever you go right now? Are you waiting
for time to show you some better thoughts?
When you turn around, starting here, lift this
new glimpse that you found; carry into evening
all that you want from this day. This interval you spent
reading or hearing this, keep it for life.
What can anyone give you greater than now,
starting here, right in this room, when you turn around?
Half Day Meditation Retreat, Sunday, October 12th
In person, in Mill Valley, and online.
In our world of busyness, of more/faster/better, this half-day retreat offers time to stop, reflect, and renew. We will explore the practices of effort and effortless as a path to well-being and “stepping into your life.” Together we’ll follow a gentle schedule of sitting and walking meditation, a talk, and some discussion. Anyone looking to begin or deepen a meditation and mindfulness practice is invited to attend.
Finding Your Way. A Zen Inspired Retreat. Green Gulch Farm, February 5 – 8, 2026
Much of our lives are spent searching for more, for better—for something other than who we are and the world we find ourselves in. This retreat offers time to stop, reflect, renew, and discover the art and practice of appreciation and wonder. Drawing on the teachings and wisdom of Zen, the weekend will include periods of meditation, guided reflections, short talks, and small and large group conversations. We’ll explore themes of impermanence, effort and effortlessness, and the freedom that arises when we release judgment and embrace what is.
This retreat invites you to pause, breathe, and listen deeply, beyond the noise of striving and self-comparison. Finding Your Way is not about fixing or achieving, but about softening into clarity and trust in forging your own path.
Whether you’re in a moment of transition, seeking deeper clarity, or simply longing to rest and renew, this retreat offers space to explore, heal, and grow.
No prior meditation experience is needed. Come as you are. Leave with less weight, more wonder, and a renewed connection to your own way.
Warmest regards,
Marc