“It’s like burning a field. Out of the ash comes a true greenery - a greenery which knows the burning of the land.
It’s a call and response. It’s having a trust that they're not trying to kill us inside. Actually it’s a way to strengthen the uniqueness that's embedded in us - a uniqueness that does not confront or contradict what is.” - Gyokei Yokoyama
ZEN CENTER HAPPENINGS - WEEK OF 10/8 - 10/14
Hello Sangha!
Stay Jung at heart at y’all... No, that’s not a mere rerun cartoon up there, that is your sangha hard at work creating rewards for the upcoming Fall Fundraiser! Like a one of a kind Carl Jung Hanging Scroll. Whoa! But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Stay tuned next month for more info…
In the meantime, we are now just one month out from our Fall Mount Baldy Retreat!(November 11th - 14th). Join us for three full days and nights of community, quiet, zazen, yoga, and maybe even a wise word or two (perfect & inherent wisdom guaranteed. Wise words... no promises). We've heard from many who are planning on coming and haven’t registered yet, to which we say, there is no time like the present (Ok, yes we know, there is no time but the present. The point still stands). Registration and info is posted up here. Zoom option is available. And please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions at all.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves again… First, the weekend happenings - tomorrow is the 2nd Saturday of the month which means grab your mat or borrow one of ours for Yoga, Sit, & Discussion w/ Nina Snow at 10am! We here at ACZC are firm believers in the classic combo of yoga & zazen. There’s a time to sit still, and a time for meditative motion, because a) we have it on good authority that silly notions like stillness and motion are all the same dance to the one bright pearl of reality, and b) seriously, a little yoga goes a long way to making the zazen that much easier. Those are words of wisdom you can take to the cushion. Great for yogis of all (including no) experience levels!
And then Sunday at 7pm we have October’s Full Moon Ceremony, aka the Repentance Ceremony, aka the oldest and most beautiful ceremony in Buddhism, aka let’s chant the precepts and remember why they were such good advice all over again.
And speaking of October, as promised the No Talent Show has gone seasonal, and this month on Sunday 10/30 at 7pm we will be hosting a very special Halloween Costume Party Edition. Join us on zoom or in person in costume (or not. You do you) to show off a stupid human trick, or a brilliant human trick, or no tricks at all and just hang out for the treats. And yes, showing off your costume or speaking in character totally counts as a performance and we would love to hear all about it.
But hey, speaking of the masks we wear while speaking, this week on the podcast we are very pleased to bring you Gyokei Yokoyama with “Call and Response”. Gyokei digs deep practical truths out of the meeting of Eastern Collectivist culture and Western Individualism. Revealing and poetic metaphors ensue! Is it possible to fully be our own unique piece of the puzzle while still fitting into the big beautiful picture?? 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, 10/8 at 10am
Yoga, Sit, & Discussion - 2nd Saturday of the month means our favorite yoga director is back to kick off the weekend with one hour of heart and hip (and mind!) opening yoga perfectly tailored to help one half hour of zazen feel all the sweeter (and easier!). Then join us for talk & tea as Nina takes the hot seat for what is certain to be a warm, wise, and welcoming discussion for all involved. We’ll see y’all there.
Sunday, 10/9 at 7 pm
Full Moon Ceremony - One half hour of zazen followed by the oldest (and some say most beautiful) ceremony in Buddhism - The Rayaku Fusatsu, aka let’s chant the precepts and remember why they were such good advice in the first place. Join us!
Monday 10/10 at 7:30pm
Sit & Talk w/ Dave Cuomo - “From confusion and delusion, empty space appears! Like a solitary bubble on the sea...” But what happens when space disappears and the bubble bursts?? Join us for one half hour of zazen before Dave takes the hot seat to talk about breathing & listening (aka zazen!) armed with some inspiring poetry from the great bodhisattva Manjushri all about this delightful dream we call our selves. Let’s burst that bubble y’all. You never know what might pop out.
Wednesday 10/12 at 7:30pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion - This week! Case 4 of the Book of Serenity - Buddha goes for a walk with his students, sees a good piece of ground and says, “What a nice spot for a temple, let’s build one!” The god Indra takes a blade of grass, sticks it in the ground and says “Done.” Buddha smiles. As he does. This doesn’t sound too hard. Let’s build ourselves a temple y’all. See you there!
Thursday, 10/13 at 7pm (Zoom Only)
Yoga & Zazen w/ Nina Snow - And Nina is back for one hour of her patented blend of Easy Flow Zen Yoga™ to wind down the week and send us off to one half hour on our zafus worry free (and to our pillows and dreams). Join us!
Friday, 10/14 at 8am
Heart Sutra Chanting Service - This week! We chant the Heart Sutra in English, followed by that peskily perfect little truth that’s been needling us for what feels like a lifetime (amiright?) - The Zazenshin (Needlepoint of Zazen). 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