“The cornerstone of non dualism is that you can’t even hold onto non dualism - that non dualism is itself dualistic.” - Emily Eslami
Hello Sangha!
As the long weekend approaches, we’re feeling incredibly grateful for everyone who comes here to practice. Our sangha friend in Oakland Mota Mynttinen came down to LA to do his Monday night talk in person, and we had one of those sweet nights where attendees lingered a little longer than usual to enjoy each other’s company. We love it when that happens!
In other news, our friends at Zenshuji in downtown LA are celebrating two big anniversaries this weekend: 1) the 700th Anniversary of Taiso Keizan Jokin Zenji tomorrow (Sat) at 3pm PST and 2) the 100th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony of Soto Zen in North America on Sunday at 11 amPST. You can attend in person, and both events can also be streamed on Facebook and YouTube if you’d like to see a little Zen pageantry! (You might our supporting teacher Gyokei Yokoyama in the process.)
And speaking of sangha relations, this week on the podcast we’re pleased to present Forget Yourself (Non Duality) w/ Emily Eslami.
Emily unpacks the perfection of paradox that is Non Dualism, Zen’s crowning ideal that it will never live up to no matter how hard it tries. How is it possible to stop our mind if it’s impossible to stop our mind? Is it true that everything we do is ultimately zazen, and if so why do we still have to sit? Does the sangha actually have hot non dual tips for us on mastering dinner party small talk and landing a relationship?? Find out here!
Up now at http://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms!
Your koan for the week!
Case in point:
When Luopu met Jiashan, he stood there facing him without bowing.
Jiashan said, “You’re like a chicken perching in a phoenix nest. You’re out of your depth. Get out of here.”
Luopu said, “But I’ve come all this way for your teaching. Please may we have a meeting.”
Jiashan said, “There are no teachers here and no monks.”
Luopu shouted.
Jiashan said, “Stop, stop! Don’t be crude. Clouds are the same as the moon. A stream is different from a mountain.
It’s not that you can’t cut off the tongues of everyone on earth, but how can you teach a tongueless person to speak?”
Luopu paused.
Jiashan hit him.
Luopu was won over and stayed for many years.
This Week in Zen! All times are in Pacific time zone and all sessions are hosted in person and on Zoom unless otherwise marked (email us for quick and easy Zoom access info):
Saturday - 5/27 at 10am
Yoga, Sit, & Discussion w/ Emily Eslami - We’ll sit two 30 minute rounds of zazen with a five minute walking meditation in the middle. After that, Emily returns with the latest in her series of talks about Shunryu Suzuki’s classic, “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind.” This time she’ll be discussing the “Zen and Excitement” chapter. Exciting indeed! We’ll see you there.
Monday - 5/29 at 7:30pm
Sit & Talk w/ Jitsujo Gauthier - This week we’re excited to present a guest speaker! Jitsujo Gauthier is a Zen Priest and Preceptor in residence at the Zen Center of Los Angeles who is ordained within the Zen Peacemakers and White Plum Asanga. She is also the current Chair and Assistant Professor of the Buddhist Chaplaincy department at University of the West. We’ll sit one half hour of zazen then she’ll lead us in a discussion. Join us!
Wednesday - 5/31 at 7:30pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion w/ Heather Ross - If there are no monks and no teachers and if tongues are (maybe) being cut off besides, can ultimate truth be explained?? Let’s find out.
Thursday - 6/1 at 7pm (Zoom Only)
Yoga & Zazen w/ Nina Snow - Nina is back for a perfect wind down hour of yoga followed by a quick half hour sit to send us to bed soundly. See y’all there.
Friday - 6/2 at 8am
Heart Sutra Chanting Service - This week! We chant the Heart Sutra in English followed by Sengcan’s classic “Trusting the Mind” as translated by the great Red Pine. 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