Autumn in Portland, and the city is as beautiful as it always is at this time of year. But, as much as we enjoy the beauty of brown, gold and red leaves falling, we’re less inclined to appreciate the same thing in ourselves…

I turned 50 this year. At a City Cave Zen sangha service last year, I was making the incense offering, which includes three full prostrations to the altar, something I’ve been doing for many years. But this time I noticed that something was different. After each prostratio...