I Blame God
⚡️ACZC Happenings, 9/28 - 10/4⚡️
“I have no self. I'm fully responsible for everything. I can't control anything. Also I'll do better next time. Also we don't technically believe in time...” - Dave Cuomo
Hello Sangha!
First, the update: while, as of this writing, Mount Baldy Zen Center itself hasn't been hit by fire, it is very very close, and given how close we are to November, that mean we need to make the call that we’re going to be holding our Fall Retreat here in the city at ACZC this year. We’re sending all our best to everyone involved over there and if they put out a call for help afterwards, we will let you know for sure.
Which is very sad. We’ve been holding our retreats up there for over a decade now, and it has a special place in a lot of our hearts, and there’s no way to know what the future holds. But I always relish the opportunity to put our intention and focus onto our little home center right here and make it sing with all that sweet stillness here in the city. I also know for some of you it makes the retreat more accessible since this allows for drop ins and more of a commuter experience for some. Updated registration and info is posted up here.
And just to be clear, bringing it home doesn’t mean we’re going soft. We will still be offering the full immersive experience just as intended, with the all the bells, whistles, pomp and circumstances of our full sesshin schedule. It will still go from Friday 11/8 - Monday 11/11. And to be honest we’re pretty excited to cook for you, and this season it just so happen we have open rooms and space for all who want to and are able to stay overnight (in rooms, behind doors, that are not the zendo!).
To everyone already registered, you will be receiving a refund today and an email with a link to the new info and registration options. And to everyone else - no time like the present to sign up! We’d be delighted to sit the weekend with you.
And as always please reach out if you have any questions at all.
But speaking of blameless bursts of reality’s bounty, this week on the podcast we are very excited to bring you I Blame God (Regret & Responsibility) w/ Dave Cuomo. Do we need to change the world, or do we need to change ourselves? Dave tries to figure out if Buddhism is advocating for supreme personal responsibility, or ultimate social accountability. How do we take responsibility for a world, self, and circumstances we don’t have any real control over and is technically total emptiness anyway? Is anything ever anyone’s fault? Does the fact that I’m one with everything mean I can’t get mad at myself? Find out here!
Up now at http://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms.
And hey, here’s a koan for this week:
Case in point:
As soon as Shushan arrived at Guishan’s, he asked him, “I’ve heard that you have a saying, ‘Having something to say or not is like vines clinging to a tree.’ If suddenly the tree fell over, and the vines whither, where do our words go?”
Guishan roared with laughter.
Shushan said, “I’ve come over a thousand miles, selling whatever I could to get here. Venerable, don’t toy with me.”
Guishan called out, “Attendant! Come repay this good monk’s expenses.” Then he said, “Someday, you’ll find some half blind person to explain it to you.”
Some time later, Shushan went to Mingzhao’s and told him about his conversation with Guishan.
Mingzhao said, “From head to toe, Guishan is right on. He just hasn’t met his match.”
Shushan asked again, “If the tree falls over and the vines whither, where do our words go?”
Mingzhao said, “I second Guishan’s laughter.”
With just these words, Shushan suddenly understood and said, “Guishan was hiding a sword in that laugh.”
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 - 9/28, 10am - 12:30pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Chris Arnett - Our biggest day of the week! Two half hour rounds of zazen, and then in his first regular dharma talk, sangha stalwart and our chief zoom steward, Chris, takes the hot seat to look at anger, karma, and driving dangerously (this is how karmas end up running over dogmas... Be careful out there y’all!). Does venting alone do any harm, can anger ever be harmless?? Let’s discuss.
Monday - 9/30, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Jordan Mylet - One half hour round of zazen and then our good friend Jordan returns to the hot seat for another nononsense inquisitive look at the daily glows and grinds of everyday practice. See y’all there!
Wednesday - 10/2, 7:30pm - 9pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion w/ Dave Cuomo - Shushan’s got a burning question and he will have his answer no matter the laughter that stands in his way. I don’t know about you, but I find that kind of stubbornness downright inspiring. When everything we rely on falls away, what is there left to say? And where do our best ideas go when they go away?? Let’s find out.
Friday - 10/4, 8am
Morning Chanting Service - This week! We get back to basics with the Heart Sutra in English followed by Shitou’s classic manual on how to see in the darkest of darks, and take deep fat naps in the sunshine - 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