Animal Nature
⚡️ACZC Happenings, 6/20 - 6/26⚡️
“It may not be what you want. It may not be the things you think you’re after. It may just be the willingness to keep turning back, look at what’s here, be with your confusion and be with what the truth can cost you.
Practice works on you, you don’t do the practice. The practice is doing something mysterious.” - Sara Campbell
Hello Sangha!
Greetings from HQ, where your humble caretakers are still coming down from a truly amazing camping retreat at Point Mugu State Park.
While we’ve done many retreats at ACZC and other venues, adapting a traditional sesshin into something that would work outside was an exhilarating and worthy challenge. We got creative with tents and blankets and tatami mats, among other things, and essentially created a little pop-up monastery for 20 in the wilderness, sounds and all, and despite a few mother-nature-related hitches, it all went off as well as we hoped — and we had high hopes!
It’s an extraordinary thing to practice in the great outdoors. Without four solid walls between us and the world, it was impossible to ignore how much everything is changing all the time. From the wind kicking up in the afternoons to the birds (including a brood of California quail!) carrying on outside the tent to the sounds of passing hikers and the ocean in the distance, there were constant reminders that nothing ever really settles down for long. This writer had never personally considered the idea that a venue could also be an instrumental member of the teaching staff, and that was just so…Zen.
Thanks to everyone who attended for putting your whole heart into it, as you always do. Your sincerity, energy, and relentless good humor really do make ACZC a special place to practice, and for that we are eternally grateful.
And now it’s time for a little rest. We're officially kicking off Slow Season, our chance to take a breather after a hectic few months and do our best to appreciate every moment, and every one of you.
(this is how you know it’s time for work practice)
And speaking of getting closer to the essence of being, this week on the podcast we are pleased to present 🎙️ Animal Nature (Self Trust) w/ Sara Campbell 🎙️
Sara takes an unflinching look at learning to trust ourselves despite or maybe because of whatever messes we may have made in our lives along the way. What’s the difference between the mind that aspires to our best intentions and the one that actually tries to put them into practice? What sort of wonderful demons can we look forward to making friends with along the way? Can we actually do Zen practice, or does it do us?? Find out here!
Up now at https://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms.
📖 This Week in ZenLit(™): 📖
(Part one of two!)
Xuansha Shibei was leaving the mountain when he stubbed his toe on a rock. Bleeding and in pain he asked himself, “If this body doesn’t exist, then why does it hurt so bad?”
He went back to his teacher and said, “I just can’t lie to people anymore.” He went on to teach that the entire world in all directions is one bright pearl.
⚡️This Week in Zen! ⚡️
All times Pacific. All sessions are in-person + on Zoom unless otherwise noted (email us for Zoom info).
Saturday - 6/20, 10am - 12:05pm
Sit & Talk with Matthew Sherling - Our biggest day of the week! We’ll do two half-hour rounds of zazen, and our poet-in-residence Matthew takes the hotseat. He’ll talk about robbers and empty rooms, among other things. See you there!
Monday - 6/22, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & Talk w/Andy Thomas - One half hour of zazen and Andy is back to lead us in a discussion about the nature of buddha nature. What do we make of it and how does it differ from the idea of a soul? Come on out and let’s see!
Wednesday - 6/24, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & ZenLit(™) Night - This week! What did Xuansha discover out there in the wilderness that made him turn right back around?? Let’s discuss!
Friday - 6/26, 8am - 8:40am
Morning Chanting Service - This week! We’ll chant the Heart of Great Perfect Wisdom Sutra and the Golden Mirror Meditation Verse. Beyond the reach of thoughts and feelings / how could it bear considering? 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