…& Then You Grow Up
⚡️ACZC Happenings, 7/12 - 7/18⚡️
“There's a real danger in trying to grow up too fast in Zen — trying to be too enlightened too soon, trying to cut yourself off from things that you love because you're supposed to. That breeds cruelty and self-flagellation. Slowly learning what growing up means, finding the places where I don't know the enlightened answer yet, then being curious about them for five years or so, that’s served me better.” - Dave Cuomo
Hello Sangha!
Some might suggest it’s not the most “Zen” activity around, but in case you haven’t noticed, ACZC loves a good excuse to cut loose! Ask anyone who came out on Saturday for our every-other-monthly Same Difference rent party — we had a blast hearing from our talented friends, raising some extra dough for the center, and just some old fashioned hanging out. Dare we suggest that fun times in community are good for the sangha? We do!
If you’re sad you missed it, the good times will keep rolling this weekend at Sozenji, which is hosting its annual Obon Festival Sunday from 1:00 - 7:00pm. It’ll be fun for all ages and rumor has it both our caretaker Dave and sangha friend Robert Holliday will both be performing as well. More details in the flyer below — all are welcome!
And speaking of keeping the party going, this Sunday at 7pm we’ll be celebrating the July Full Buck 🦌 Moon 🌕 with one half hour of zazen followed by the Ryaku Fusatsu Full Moon Ceremony. Join us for the oldest (and some say most beautiful) ceremony in Buddhism as we chant the precepts and refuges and remember what we’re doing here.
And speaking of things we may or may not be doing here, 🎙️ This week on the podcast we are very excited to present “…& Then You Grow Up (Grief & Emotional Regulation)” w/ Dave Cuomo.🎙️
Dave loses a good dog friend and gets curious about the sweet and silly human feelings that come up in a week of sweet sorrow. Should monks be having more sex? Is Buddhism trying to cut us off from the most beautiful parts of life? Was Buddha (and California) wrong about the benefits of anger?? Find out here!
Up now at http://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms.
📖 Get with this week’s ZenLit(™)! 📖
Some (More) Points to Keep in Mind for Zazen by Keizan Jokin
If your body gets hot or cold, coarse or slippery, hard or soft, heavy or light, or if something startles you awake — this just means that your breath is out of balance and needs to be adjusted. To adjust your breath, open your mouth wide for a moment; let long breaths be long, and short breaths be short — it will gradually find balance if you follow it for a few moments. When thoughts and feelings come up, let them find a natural harmony and flow; then carry on breathing freely through your nose.
If your mind feels sunken or floaty, dull or sharp, or if you start to see beyond the room, or see inside your body, or if you see buddhas and bodhisattvas, or start to have insights, or understand the scriptures; these are just odd quirks caused by your breath being out of balance. If such things come up, rest your attention on your leg posture and continue sitting; if your mind feels sunken or drowsy, rest your attention on the middle point of your hairline; if your mind is scattered and unfocused, rest your attention on the tip of your nose or in your core; normally while sitting we rest our attention on the left palm; if you’ve been sitting for a long time you don’t need to rest your attention anywhere in particular, your mind will naturally not be scattered or unfocused.
In monasteries, with good teachers, in deep mountains, and remote valleys — these are places of refuge. Clean waters and green mountains are good places for walking mediation. By a stream or under a tree are good places to settle the mind. Don’t forget to contemplate impermanence, this will inspire your mind to find its way. Always dwell in great love and great kindness; the benefits of zazen are incalculable — return them to all beings.
⚡️This Week in Zen! ⚡️
All times Pacific. All sessions are in-person + on Zoom unless otherwise noted (email us for Zoom info).
Saturday - 7/12, 10am - 12:15pm
Sit & Talk w/ Sara Campbell - Our biggest day of the week! Two half-hour rounds of zazen, and then Sara takes the hotseat for a talk about what it’s been like to add a new title and role to her life after many years of being, shall we say, ill-defined professionally. She’ll read from The Roots of Goodness, Kōshō Uchiyama Roshi’s commentary on Dogen’s last teaching, Hachi Dainin Gaku (The Eight Qualities of a Great Person). See y’all there!
Monday - 7/14, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Gyokei Yokoyama - One half hour of zazen and then our dear friend and supporting teacher Gyokei returns to ACZC for a talk about Obon and the Gate of Sweet Nectar. Join us!
Wednesday - 7/16, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & ZenLit Night - Dave and Sara take turns facilitating and commentating to help us sort through the third and final installment from Keizan’s Points to Keep in Mind for Zazen, which, tbh, has raised a lot of interesting questions about what it is we’re doing when we sit and whether we’re doing it correctly! 🤔 Sound interesting? Join us and let’s discuss!
Thursday - 7/17, 7:30pm - 8:40pm
Evening Zazen - Join us for two simple 30 minute rounds of serene evening sitting to wind down your day and week. See y’all there!
Friday - 7/18, 8am
Morning Chanting Service - This week we chant the Heart Sutra ❤️ followed by that great needle of wisdom, Zazenshin, and the female ancestors in our lineage. 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.
See y’all soon!
Love,
ACZC