Kind Mind

ACZC happenings, 7/8 - 7/14

“Capitalism does suck, but you shouldn’t let that make you a bad worker” - Helena Harvilicz

CARTOON COMING

Hello Sangha!

We hope you and your pets survived and maybe even enjoyed the fireworks-filled holiday weekend. Our ears are still ringing, but we’re pleased to say our digits remain intact!

Speaking of digits remaining intact, we are pleased to report Dave has returned to us safe and sound from his monastic training in Japan! We’re giving him some time to decompress, of course, but we can’t wait to hear all about it. His next talk isn’t til week after next, but maybe he’ll toss out some highlights when he leads Wednesday’s koan discussion.

And speaking of discussions, this week on the podcast we are pleased to present Kind Mind (Zen & Multitasking) w/ Helena Harvilicz. Helena tells stories of Zen, parenting, multitasking, and a history of being half assed at work until a job came along where failure was no longer an option. Along the way we get choice selections from Dogen about the Three Minds of a good cook. Does our work need purpose to be worthwhile? And what is that supposed to look like? Did these celibate monks have any wisdom for the busy parents among us? Find out here!

Up now at http://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms!

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Your koan for the week! (buckle up…)

Luopu said to the assembly, "If I don't die tomorrow, it will be soon. For now, I have just one thing to ask you about: If you say this is it, it's like putting a head on top of a head. If you say this is not it, it's like cutting off the head to try and save a life."

The head monk said, "The green mountains are always walking. There's no need to raise a lamp to the daylight."

Luopu said, "How you could you say such a thing at a time like this??"

A senior monk named Yangcong said, "Forget about both options. Please don't ask us at all."

Luopu said, "That's not it. Try again."

Yangcong said, "I couldn't possibly explain it all."

Luopu said, "You don't have to explain it all."

Yangcong said, "I'm sorry but I have no attendant here to help me, only myself to answer with."

After nightfall, Luopu called on Yangcong and said, "Your answer today made a lot of sense. My old teacher used to say, 'What’s before our eyes isn’t the dharma. What’s before our eyes is an idea. That isn’t the dharma before our eyes, the dharma is nowhere our eyes and ears can reach.'" Then Luopu said asked, "Which phrase is the guest and which is the host? If you can pick them out, I'll give you the robe and bowl and transmit you right now."

Yancong said, "I don't understand."

Luopu said, "You do understand."

Yancong said, "I really don't."

Luopu exclaimed, "Disastrous!"

The next day a monk asked Luopu, "Venerable, what did you mean yesterday?"

Luopu said, "The boat of compassion is not rowed on calm waters. It's pointless to set out a wooden goose in a narrow strait."*

* A “wooden goose” was often cast out of boats to test the current before going through dangerous waters

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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 - 7/8 at 10am
Yoga, Sit, & Discussion w/ Nina Snow - The lovely and talented Nina Snow leads us in one hour of slow flow yoga, followed by one half hour of zazen, followed by a discussion. We look forward to seeing y’all there.

Monday - 7/10 at 7:30pm
Sit & Talk w/ Henry Zander - One half hour of zazen and then ACZC’s summer resident Henry Zander returns to the hotseat to give us the wrap-up on his life as a Zen caretaker. Join us!

Wednesday - 7/12 at 7:30pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion w/ Dave Cuomo - Our far flung caretaker returns to the hot seat to discuss Luopu’s last request. Can we chop off the head to save a life??? Let’s find out.

Thursday - 7/13 at 7pm (Zoom Only)
Yoga & Zazen w/ Nina Snow - Nina guides us through a restorative hour of her trademark Slow Flow Yoga, followed by a half hour of that sweet sweet zazen. See y’all there!

Friday - 7/14 at 8am
Heart Sutra Chanting Service - This week! We chant the Heart Sutra in English followed by Sengcan’s Trusting the Mind Inscription ala by Red Pine. Come help us chant this lovely piece of Zen poetry!

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