Integrity is fundamental to Zen practice: taking responsibility for harms and atoning. Whether it be harmful speech, boundary violations, financial misconduct, abuse, and more. Without atonement, without taking responsibility, and instead engaging in the drama triangle of victim, perpetrator, rescuer, there is no dharma; only self-interest. One of the hardest things is to step forward with courage and make amends to the sangha. Deeply unfortunate that few actually do this. Karma ripens through time, however. In this regard, one can contemplate the Fifth Remembrance: "My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand."
Joan Halifax
















