A Little Special
⚡️ACZC Happenings, 4/26 - 5/2⚡️
“Trying to keep up practice might seem like a good way to keep up practice, but actually that just makes you another poor drifter throwing away your inheritance to wander aimlessly far from home. Maybe the wind and rain out there won’t kill you, but you really shouldn’t throw away your true inheritance like that.” - Dogen
Hello Sangha!
We’re heading into the home stretch of our spring ango (56/90 days down!), and while we don’t often talk about progress around here, we must say it’s going very well! There’s something about going deeper into practice that pairs well with the transition from winter into spring — you start out a little cold and rusty, and then before you know it, you’re humming along at a pace that would have been unthinkable at the start. Seeds are sprouting, y’all! It’s been such a pleasure to chant and sit and warm up with you as the days get longer and the light stronger. Which is all our way of saying thank you for taking part in whatever and all the ways you do, and for just being you.
Also! One week away, Saturday, May 3rd at 7pm is our Same Difference - Rent Party featuring a fantastic variety show of musicians, comedy, and poetry curated by our favorite resident professor of prose practice, Matt, performed right here in the ACZC zendo under Buddha’s all approving gaze. See y’all there!
But speaking of Spring and Autumns passing, before you know it will be time for our annual Spring Retreat! We’re gathering Fri, June 6 - Mon, June 9 at nearby Sozenji temple (aka Gyokei’s home temple) for our trademark mix of zazen, yoga, dharma talks, and good friends in great community. Details and registration are here. Spots are starting to fill up! So if you’d like to attend but haven’t registered yet, shoot us a note to let us know. And, as always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions at all.
Also! We don’t normally blast other media on this thing, but a very solid religious studies YouTuber (Religion for Breakfast) just put out a great piece on Zen, which we have to say is just about the most concise, quick paced, video run down of everything someone might want to know about what we do, subtleties, ironies, and nuances all in tact. So next time your mom/partner/co-worker/concerned friend/skeptical teenager asks what exactly you go do on Saturday morning again, you can just send ‘em this
But speaking of immersing ourselves into this whole whatever-it-means Zen thing, this week on the podcast we are pleased to present “A Little Special (Daily Practice)” with/ Dave Cuomo. Dave takes a critical look at modern Zen’s emphasis on daily zazen, going deep on what “practice” means and what’s it for. Is skipping zazen self-care or self-delusion? If we’re really meditating all the time, do we still need to sit down and meditate? Do the sun, moon, and stars really depend on our zazen to shine?? Find out here!
Up now at http://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms.
And ready for another installment of ZenLit(™)? Here goes nothing (😉):
Dongshan was out on pilgrimage when he wandered into the mountains and got lost. Seeing a vegetable leaf floating down a stream he thought “there must be someone doing Zen up here.” He followed the stream and eventually found Yinshan. Dongshan bowed in respect.
Yinshan said, “There are no paths here. Where did you come from?”
Dongshan said, “Never mind the paths, how did you get here??”
Yinshan said, “Not by becoming a monk.”
Dongshan asked, “How long have you been here?”
Yinshan said, “Spring and autumns are not my concern.”
Dongshan asked, “Who was here first, you or the mountain?”
Yinshan said, “I don’t know.”
Dongshan said, “How can you not know?
Yinshan said, “I came here for no human or heavenly purpose.”
Dongshan said, “What truth did you see that led you here?”
Yinshan said, “I saw two clay oxen fight and fall into the ocean. There’s been no news of them since.”
And bonus! For anyone dubious about last week’s lit and the reality and logistics of mosquito eyelashes and aphids’ potential for nesting on them, Samm has made us this handy reference illustration (thanks Samm!). Don’t say you never learned nothing here:
This Week in Zen! All times posted in Pacific time zone, all sessions hosted in person and on Zoom unless otherwise marked (email us for quick and easy Zoom access info):
Saturday - 4/26, 10am - 12:15pm
Sit & Talk w/ Heather - Our biggest day of the week! Two half-hour rounds of zazen, and then Heather returns to the hotseat to share some thoughts on keeping up with practice during busy and stressful times. See you there! (Also! All Saturdays during our ango period now include a full half day of activities, including extra zazen at 7am and chanting of the Ryogon Shu (see below)! )
Monday - 4/28, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Tip Dunn - One half hour of zazen and then our good neighbor and tireless morning volunteer Tip joins us for his long awaited What Am I Doing Here?? talk. We can’t wait to find out what fortunate causes and conditions led to him becoming a regular at our lovely little blue house. Join us!
Wednesday - 4/30, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & ZenLit Night - In some light role reversal, this week Dave facilitates and Sara commentates, as we drop in on a misty mountain hermit with a dubious mysterious origin. Do we ever get the credit for getting where we’re going? And where is this thing going again?? Let’s discuss!
Thursday - 5/1, 7:30pm - 8:40pm
Evening Zazen - ACZC’s latest addition to the schedule! Join us for two 30 minute rounds of serene evening sitting to wind down your day and week. We’ll see y’all there.
Friday - 5/2, 8am
Morning Chanting Service - This week! In another thrilling installment of our epic ango Fridays, we chant the Ryogon Shu, Heart Sutra, and that idyllic reminder to wander about freely befriending your unknowing - Shitou’s Straw Hut Song. Poetry for the ages! Come on out and lend us your voice.
Tuesday - Friday, 7am - 8am
Morning Sit - One simple hour of what we do best - just sitting. Optional five minute stretch break offered in the middle.
Tuesday - Saturday - Morning Ango Schedule
As always, feel free to join for as much or as little of the schedule as you’re able.
7:00 - 8:00am………………Zazen
8:10 - 8:40am………………Chanting
8:40 - 9:10am…………..…Zen Breakfast
9:10 - 9:50am………………Work Practice
See y’all soon!
Love,
ACZC