How to Stop Time
ACZC Happenings, 2/11 - 2/17
“Even when I get what I want it's never ultimately satisfying to that big empty pit inside. That's why I don't trust trying to get what I want, even when I think it's good.
Nothing has been able to take that away from me yet - that good is good, right is right, wrong is wrong, that we deserve what we want, that we deserve to live in a good world and that things should be just. I know it’s delusional, and I’m curious if I’d be a better person if I could let that go.” - Dave Cuomo
Hello Sangha!
Why yes, tomorrow (2/11) is the second Saturday of the month which means it is time for our monthly Yoga, Sit, & Discussion at 10am with Nina Snow as she leads us in one hour of yoga, followed by one half hour of zazen, followed by a discussion with Nina, and special bonus! Rumor has it Robert Holliday will be joining us this month to add a little sound bath to our yoga. We look very forward to seeing y’all there.
But hey, speaking of delightful invitations to forget where you are and what you’re doing, this week on the podcast we are very excited to bring you Dave Cuomo w/ How to Stop Time. Dave gets grumpy about getting to live his dream life, plus a reading from Dainin Katagiri’s “You Have To Say Something,” along with a deep dive into all the valid reasons not to trust ourselves, our teachers, or the systems we work in. Is formal Zen training just another toy to let go of, or is it the place we go to let go of our idealistic toys? Can we learn from systems and selves we don’t entirely trust? And when the moment arrives, should we stand strong and stare the great moose of truth in the face, or is the real wisdom to bravely run away?? Find out here!
Up now at http://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms
And hey, here’s a koan for the week. Case in point:
Dizang asked Fayan, “Where are you going?”
Fayan said, “Around on pilgrimage.”
Dizang said, “Why?”
Fayan said, “I don’t know.”
Dizang said, “Not knowing is so intimate.”
Fayan suddenly completely understood.
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 - 2/11 at 10am
Yoga, Sit, & Discussion w/ Nina Snow - 2nd Saturday of the month means one hour of Slow Flow Zen Yoga(™) with Nina, followed by one half hour of sweet and easy zazen, all followed up by a warm and welcoming discussion with our favorite yoga director herself. Plus! As a special treat, Robert Holliday joins us this month to add a little sound bath to our yoga. Join us!
Monday - 2/13 at 7:30pm
Sit & Talk w/ Dave Cuomo - One half hour of zazen and then Dave is back in the hot seat with the triumphant return of the History of Zen series. This week, we’re in Song Dynasty China at the birth of the split between koan and shikantaza practice, as Dahui and Hongzhi do the 12th century version of a highly viral twitter beef. Which of their dharma’s will reign supreme?? Or this all just a lesson in Zen and the art of canny PR? Let’s discuss!
Wednesday - 2/15 at 7:30pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion w/ Heather Ross - Heather leads us in a roiling roundtable of a discussion on Case 20 of the Book of Serenity. This week! Fayan and friends get caught out in the rain, until they’re taken in by a kindly Zen master (turns out they do exist). Will they make it past their waylay and find their way to where they’re going? And where are they going anyway? Where is this koan going?? Where do any of us think we’re going?? Let’s find out.
Thursday - 2/16 at 7pm (Zoom Only)
Yoga & Zazen w/ Nina Snow - And Nina is back for one hour of easy flow yoga to wind down our week followed by one half hour of the sweetest and easiest zazen you will sit all week. We’ll see y’all there.
Friday - 2/17 at 8am
Heart Sutra Chanting Service - This week! We chant the Heart Sutra in English, followed by those twin chaotic melodies of dissonant truth that somehow always find their way together to make some sweet sweet music, The Harmony of Difference and Equality. 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