
Though she doesn’t live at Beginner’s Mind Temple, Susan Leibel brings joy and dedication to the building through her volunteer work as a flower chiden (the person in charge of the flower arrangements on the altars.) Every week, Susan purchases and arranges the flowers for City Center’s nine altars, cultivating both beauty and mindfulness in her practice.
Sangha News Journal reached out to Susan about her experience as a volunteer and she sent us this thoughtful reply.
Why do I volunteer as flower chiden?
In the past I had volunteered with the evening doan ryo, first as doorwatch and then as jiko (the person who accompanies the doshi or priest for evening service/zazen). Last February I was asked to take on the role of flower chiden. This presented several opportunities.
Firstly, this was Beginner’s Mind Temple! I knew very little about flowers, not to mention the particular requirements for the altar vases. So this position pushed me out of my comfort zone, bringing me into direct contact with an awareness of my practice. I got to observe ‘me being me,’ which can be very illuminating, and, at times, exhausting, hilarious, or embarrassing—but always informative if you pay attention.
Secondly, serving as flower chiden is a path for practicing the paramitas— particularly generosity, discipline, patience, meditation, and diligence.
Thirdly, it has provided a reason to show up at City Center, which has increasingly become my sanctuary and refuge in a painful time.
Fourthly, it is spiritually nourishing to play with flowers.
Just before taking on this role, I had started volunteering in the kitchen. In some ways it was exactly the same in terms of the practice opportunities I just described. In other ways, kitchen work is more team-oriented and interactive. In the kitchen, I got to practice focused attention—being fully present while chopping veggies with a super sharp knife demands continuing awareness!
With the flowers, I get more exercise going up and down all the stairs tending to nine flower vases in different locations. I am outdoors for most of the prep work and walk to and from Trader Joe’s where I buy fresh flowers once a week.
For 10 years I’ve been retired from a long career as a women’s health care provider/educator/innovator. Volunteering is an opportunity to support SFZC, which has nurtured and supported me over the years in so many ways. It gives me a sense of engagement and belonging, which carries me like a dried-out leaf that is bobbing along a river current.
Thank you, Susan, for being a volunteer and sharing your experiences!











