Groundless
⚡️ACZC Happenings, 1/18 - 1/24⚡️
“You only get hurt when you hit the ground. If there is no ground, there’s nothing to be afraid of. But getting used to the idea that there is no ground is very, very difficult.” - Jay Garfield
Hello Sangha!
So a little bird told us that by now “Quitter’s Day” has come and gone and most people have likely abandoned their New Year’s Resolutions and best intentions. Which is maybe a shame, but also sweet, because a little Buddha bird also told us that you’re perfect just the way you are and the only mistake we make is to forget that too often.
But speaking of the opportunities to improve the imperfectable we have scheduled an Intro to Zen Night for Monday, February 17th at our usual meeting time (7:30pm). If you are, or know of, any new or Zen curious folks this is a great night to bring them by. We’ll follow our usual format but with slightly more fleshed out instructions, and a talk geared to give people all they need to know to jump in and get started. And for all you old timers, we promise all the usual thrills plus it’s a great opportunity to come out and support your new friends just by being you and exuding what it’s all about.
Also! This week we will not be having an 8am Friday morning ceremony (morning zazen (and all other events) will still be happening) due to our band leader being out of town assisting our dharma cousins out East with a retreat. We will return next Friday as usual with all our full throated well wishes and wisdoms. And look forward to seeing you all then.
Also! As promised, our brand new Zen Lit night kicks off this Wednesday (7:30pm) as Samm fills in the hot seat with a discussion on Dogen’s classic Jijuyu Zanmai, aka the Self Doing Self, with a little commentary help from our old friend Uchiyama Roshi. Come on out and let’s see what this self and other situation is all about!
Podcast is off for this week, but we’ll be back next week with an absolute banger from our dear friend Henry Zander.
But hey, here’s some Zen Lit(™) for the week:
Dogen said:
“Wherever the Buddhas practice, you are always helping the Buddha. You influence everyone who practices. You help everyone who transcends Buddha. You exude the dharma that transcends Buddha.
But you don’t notice this when you sit. Your perception doesn’t interfere with it because the stillness isn’t something you created. You experience the stillness that already exists. And in that stillness, you are enlightenment itself.”
This Week in Zen! All times posted in Pacific time zone, all sessions hosted in person and on Zoom unless otherwise marked (email us for quick and easy Zoom access info):
Saturday - 1/18, 10am - 12:30pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Dave Cuomo - Our biggest day of the week! Two half hour rounds of zazen and then our friendly neighborhood caretaker is back in the hot seat for a talk on our lenses & paradigms we didn’t even know we were wearing. Also, bonus! Buddha goes off on some lovely, if a little unsettling, poetry about (metaphoric) wind and fire and how everything came to be (nbd). Join us!
Monday - 1/20, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Dave - One half hour of sweet sweet zazen and then Dave is back with the story of the time Gensa stubbed his toe and learned to never trust anyone again including himself. But, you know, in the good way(?). Can we trust ourselves? Can we trust anyone? Is the world really One Bright Pearl (and is that why this is all starting to smell a little fishy?) Let’s find out!
Wednesday - 1/22, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & Zen Lit Night w/ Samm - (Now offered in person (& on zoom)!) We kick off our brand new don’t-call-it-a-koan-night Zen Lit discussion night with a bang as Samm fills in and facilitates us in a little of Dogen’s classic Jijuyu Zanmai, aka the Self doing the Self, with a little commentary help from our old friend Uchiyama. See y’all there!
Thursday - 1/23, 7:30pm - 8:40pm
Evening Zazen - Join us for the newest addition to our schedule, two rounds of no frills evening zazen to wind down your day and your week. Good sit with good friends! See y’all there.
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