In this article, Parand Meysami shares her extraordinary journey from a childhood shaped by revolution, war, and loss in Iran to discovering Zen practice many years later. Through retreats, dyads, and the support of the sangha, she reflects on meeting fear, grief, and uncertainty with increasing compassion and equanimity. Her story is a powerful reminder of how practice can help us come home to this body, this life, and this moment, even in the midst of great difficulty.
Parand Meysami: My Zen Path
