“I don't think we should be intentionally changing who we are and how we do things here. I also don't think we should be willfully static and so stuck in our ways that we forget that change is the natural function of everything all the time. If we think about it that way, what we are will take care of itself. I think. I could be wrong.” - Dave Cuomo
ZEN CENTER HAPPENINGS - WEEK OF 10/1 - 10/7
Hello Sangha!
As anyone who’s spent enough time staring at walls will know by now, time can move a bit funny in a zendo. Not only is this year already beginning it’s slow gentle slide toward rebirth, but apparently another month just came and went, which means tomorrow is the first Saturday (10/1) of the month, which means it is time again for our Half Day Sit starting at 10am! Join us in the zendo or zoomdo for zazen, a short and sweet Well Being chanting service, a little story time with Dave Cuomo as he wraps up his series on the Vimalakirti Sutra (don’t worry if you’re not all caught up - it works just fine as a stand alone story time), a short break for lunch, and then two more rounds of our favorite past time… zazen! As always feel free to come for as much or as little of the day as you are able.
If anyone you know personally is sick or otherwise in need of good health well wishes, you can enter their names in the form you see here (bottom of the page) and we will be happy to include them in the Well Being Dedication.
And if you’re looking for more opportunities to practice not missing a moment of time’s timeless splendor, registration for our Fall Mount Baldy Retreat is up! (November 11th - 14th). However your year has gone, a lot of people have told us they’re looking forward to the chance to lay it all down for a few days and settle into some sweet silence together. And we would be very happy to see you up there with us. 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 hey, speaking of time honored truths forged in fire, this week on the podcast we are very excited to bring you Dave Cuomo with “House Style”. Dave takes us on an autobiographical tour of zazen to try to figure out if ACZC has a house style (spoiler alert: yes we do!), and if so, should we (spoiler alert: does it matter?)?? Is there a right way and a wrong way to teach Zen? If we throw practitioners into the deep end of emptiness on day 1 are we setting them up to sink or swim?? Is there a reason this sangha is such good company, or did we just get lucky?? 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, 10/1 at 10am
Half Day Sit - Our biggest day of the month! Two half hour rounds of zazen, a short and sweet Well Being Ceremony, and then Dave takes the hot seat with the thrilling conclusion of the Vimalakirti Sutra. This month, our eponymous hero takes a Universe in his hand and walks down the street with it, while the Buddha of said Universe pops his head out to ask what the heck is going on. Holy hilarious dharma ensues. After the talk and a short break for lunch (light lunch provided) we return for two more half hour rounds of that sweet sweet zazen. As always come for as much or as little of the day as you are able.
If anyone you know personally is sick or otherwise in need of good health well wishes, enter their names in the form you see here (bottom of the page) if you would like to include them in the Well Being Dedication.
Monday 10/3 at 7:30pm
Sit & Talk w/ Heather Ross (What Am I Doing Here??)- Long time sangha friend Heather takes the hot seat to regale us with the story of what she is doing and why she’s here while we just maybe learn something about those things for ourselves. Come on out and show your sangha some love!
Wednesday 10/5 at 7:30pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion - This week! Case 3 of the Book of Serenity - The king of East India asks Prajnatara, “Why don’t you study the scriptures?” Prajnatara says, “What this poor wayfarer breathes in does not dwell inside of her. And what she breathes out does not involve itself in the affairs of the world. This is how I study the scriptures - hundreds, millions, billions of scrolls worth.” Sounds easy enough, let’s take in some serious teachings y’all!
Thursday, 10/6 at 7pm (Zoom Only)
Yoga & Zazen w/ Nina Snow - Our favorite yoga director returns for one hour of hip and heart opening yoga perfectly designed to prepare us for one half hour of the sweetest and easiest zazen you will sit all week (while perfectly preparing us for the zazen we’ll be sitting the rest of the week too!). Join us!
Friday, 10/7 at 8am
Heart Sutra Chanting Service - This week! We chant the Heart Sutra in English, followed by Dongshan’s classic song about taking a good long look in the ancient mirror, and for a moment, maybe not minding what we see - The Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi. 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