A story about a Zen Monk I met who had a very severe speech impediment.

A story about a Zen Monk I met who had a very severe speech impediment. Last winter I went on a trip with my college Religious Studies class to the Jikoji Zen center near Santa Cruz. It was one of the most beautiful places I’ve been in my life (I highly recommend visiting). While I was there, I had the pleasure of sitting in on a speech from a traveling Zen monk who happened to be visiting the dojo. When he began to speak, I noticed he had a fairly severe speech impediment. Far worse than my own. He stumbled through the whole thing, yet it was one of the most beautiful and striking speeches I have ever heard. After the talk we had time to ask him questions. I raised my hand and introduced myself as someone who also had a speech impediment. I asked him, “How is it that you can speak with such confidence through your speech impediment? It’s incredible, you’re an amazing speaker” (Of course stuttering through the entire question). He started to laugh and replied, “I’m not confident. Every speech I give is kind of like being mauled by a bear; as long as I make it out alive I see it as a small victory.” He continued to laugh with the small audience surrounded in this Zen hut in the middle of the woods. These were the most striking words I have ever heard from someone with a speech impediment. They have inspired me in so many ways when facing things in my own life; helping me see my most embarrassing moments with my speech as small victories. I hope some of you can too now. Stay strong friends, you can do this 🤙🏻