“If all of you have access to the same wisdom, and you all hear it in your own distinct ways, that also implies that no one's ever going to hear it quite like you. Whenever you feel that beautiful swell of connection, that’s for you alone. You don't get to share that. I don't know. It both swells and breaks my heart at the same time.” - Dave Cuomo
ZEN CENTER HAPPENINGS - WEEK OF 1/21 - 1/27
Hello Sangha!
And Happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate such things! (Starting on Sunday) We’re told it’s the year of the Water Rabbit, aka year of the Black Rabbit, which sounds pretty freakin’ Zen to us. Your social media team over here is not going to pretend to be able to interpret the full astrological symbolism of such a thing, but we’ve seen the words “agile and elegant,” “fluid and adaptable,” “friendly and soft,” “way freakin’ cuddlier than last year’s sneaky Water Tiger” (ok, that last one is on us…) all thrown around which sounds just lovely and poetic to us. Point is, may you have an agile and cuddleable lunar year in all the ways you wish.
But, speaking of getting friendly with the wisdom of the water, this week on the podcast we are very excited to bring you Dave Cuomo w/ Babbling Buddhas (Mountains and Waters Sutra pt1). Mountains walk and rivers talk as Dave delves into Dogen’s classic Mountains and Rivers Sutra with the help of Shohaku Okumura’s classic commentary on this poetic and profound piece. How is Mahayana Buddhism so unapologetically based on a lie? (#fakebuddhaquotes amiright?). How do we do not understanding? Is turning off your phone during zazen and (literally) turning your back on your loved ones a heartless way of turning toward the truth? And why is Zen’s advice about dealing with anger making Dave so angry?? Find out here!
Up now at http://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms
This Week in Zen! All sessions hosted in person and on Zoom unless otherwise marked (email us for quick and easy Zoom access info):
Saturday - 1/21 at 10am
Sit & Discussion w/ Dave Cuomo - Our biggest day of the week! Two half hour rounds of zazen, one walking meditation in the middle, followed by talk and tea with Dave. See y’all there!
Monday - 1/23 at 7:30pm
Sit & Talk w/ Sara Campbell - One half hour of sweet sweet zazen and then Sara returns to the hot seat for a light evening’s discussion on the oh so fulfilling futilities to be found staring at you from the wall. Join us!
Wednesday - 1/25 at 7:30pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion - This week we have a classic Zen quip - “A hairsbreadth difference is as the distance between Heaven and Earth.” Sengcan said it, Fayan questioned it, and this week we see how close we can get to it. Let’s discuss!
Thursday - 1/26 at 7pm (Zoom Only)
Yoga & Zazen w/ Nina Snow - Nina returns for one hour of her patented blend of Slow Flow Zen Yoga (™) specially designed to open up the hips in all the ways a meditator could crave. Join us!
Friday - 1/27 at 8am
Heart Sutra Chanting Service - This week! We chant the Heart Sutra in English followed by Shitou’s ode to the great liberation of an afternoon nap, The 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.
See y’all soon!
Love,
ACZC