Instructions for the Working Stiff
ACZC happenings, 7/1 - 7/7
“Never think you’re better than the show. It’s not pleasant to work with, and it doesn’t make the work any easier.” - Emily Eslami
Hello Sangha!
Well, what do you know? The year is half way over, the Fourth of July holiday weekend is upon us, and — joy of joys! — our beloved caretaker Dave returns from his monastic training in Japan on Friday! Time to celebrate! And if you’re Dave, maybe take a nap? 90 days have flown by and we couldn’t be more excited to have him back. We won’t presume to know what’ll be foremost on his mind, but we are pretty sure it will involve pizza.
In other news, tomorrow is the first Saturday of the month, which means it’s the Half Day Sit at 10am. There will be two half hour rounds of zazen, a short Well Being Ceremony, a discussion with Sara Campbell, a short break for lunch, and then two more rounds of glorious zazen. Lunch will be served for those joining in person, and, as always, feel free to join for as much or as little of the day you’re able. We’ll see y’all there.
And speaking of getting back to it, this week on the podcast we are pleased to present Instructions for the Working Stiff w/ Emily Eslami.
Emily gets brass tacks practical with a walk through Dogen’s best advice for all the working stiffs out there on not only how to get through your work day, but maybe even finding the joyful, nurturing, magnanimous mind of everything by building temples from ordinary greens and working like your head is on fire. Why are bad days and bad bosses the best opportunity to end all suffering everywhere? Is it true that the only way to follow the Way is to stop getting our way? What are Dogen’s favorite ways to prepare mushrooms?? Find out here!!
Up now at http://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms!
Your koan for the week!
Yunmen asked Qianfeng, “What’s your answer?”
Qianfeng said, “Are you here yet?“
Yunmen said, “If so, I’m late.”
Qianfeng said, “Oh really??”
Yunmen said, “I was going to call you a swindler, but you’re a full on crook.”
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 - 7/1 at 10am
Half Day Sit w/ Sara Campbell - Two half hour rounds of zazen, one walking meditation in the middle, and then our departing ACZC resident Sara Campbell takes the hotseat to share more parting thoughts on three years of residential practice — and maybe some Dogen! For those wondering, Sara will still be practicing at ACZC, but mostly via Zoom for a while. Join us!
If anyone (who you know personally) is sick or otherwise in need of good health well wishes, you can add their names to the form you see here (bottom of the page) and we will be happy to include them in this month’s Well Being Dedication.
Monday - 7/3 at 7:30pm
Sit & Talk w/ Gyokei Yokoyama - One half hour of zazen and then our wonderful supporting teacher Gyokei is back to share some more of his Japan and North America-spanning Zen wisdom. Join us!
Wednesday - 7/5 at 7:30pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion w/ Henry Zander - Who’s asking, what’s being answered and, uh, was someone supposed to be on time here?? Let’s find out.
Thursday - 7/6 at 7pm (Zoom Only)
Yoga & Zazen w/ Nina Snow - Nina guides us through a restorative hour of her Slow Flow Yoga, followed by the sweetest half hour of zazen you’ll sit all week. See y’all there!
Friday - 7/7 at 8am
Heart Sutra Chanting Service - This week! We chant the Heart Sutra in English followed by that inimitable mountain monk’s anthem, Straw Hut Song. Come chant with us and start your Friday off right.
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