Rearview Mirror Quarterbacking
⚡️ACZC Happenings, 11/16 - 11/22⚡️
“You are the universe experiencing itself. And you have to respect that… The way that I am is exactly the way I should be. It's not just about stripping you of the stuff that's getting in your way, but also building you up.” - Sara Campbell
Hello Sangha!
First! Y’all. Huge shout out and thank you to everyone who came out and created a fantastic retreat last with us last weekend. Word on the street is it was a resounding success, full of good vibes, good friends, quiet insights, and lots of going deep all alone together on some walls who really appreciate the love and attention (or so we hear). In short, Zen at its best. We can’t thank you enough for showing up with your full selves and diving in whole heartedly and making it the sweet retreat it was for all involved.
And speaking of putting some good vibes into hearth and home, we were so inspired by all the energy you brought here that it finally seemed time to take a crack at making an ACZC icon for Ida Ten, the classic lord and general of the kitchen in Zen monasteries. Some say he’s fierce, fitting for a kitchen, ours appears to be a bit more sardonic, fitting for our kitchen. Anyone who doesn’t think the Bodhisattvas of the universe have a healthy sense of irony and sass, clearly aren’t paying attention.
But speaking of roles and archetypes in all their myriad wonderful stripes, this week on the podcast we are very pleased to bring you Rearview Mirror Quarterbacking (Feminine & Masculine Zen) w/ Sara Campbell. Sara raises some deep questions about femininity and masculinity in Zen while looking back on her own life of practice. Were our teachings and techniques really built for all who might attend? Is there a practice that can build us up as much as it breaks us down? Does a meditation of dropping off risk some voices disappearing entirely?? 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:
When Dongshan was not well, a monk asked, “When you’re sick, is there a part of you that’s not sick?”
Dongshan said, “There is.”
The monk said, “Can the healthy you take care of sick you?”
Dongshan said, “It’s my job to take care of him.”
The monk said, “How do you take care of him?”
Dongshan said, “By not seeing any sickness at all.”
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 - 11/16, 10am - 12:30pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Henry Zander - Our biggest day of the week! Two half hour rounds of zazen, and then Henry Zander joins us with the scene report from Sunny Nebraska and some fresh hot takes on the poetry of practice. Join us!
Monday - 11/18, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Dave Cuomo - One half hour of sweet sweet zazen and then Dave is back in the hot seat to talk about secular religion and modern mysticisms with a rational look at some ancient wily wisdoms. Does using Zen for wellness cheapen the brand? Or is the real wellness the friends we made out of our existential anguishes along the way? See y’all there!
Wednesday - 11/20, 7:30pm - 9pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion w/ Dave - It’s a koan classic y’all. Dongshan is not long for this world, but these monks feel the need to squeeze in a few more existential questions before he goes. Is the goal to be well enough to care for others? Or can our weaknesses be a gift that keeps on giving? Let’s discuss!
Friday - 11/21, 8am
Morning Chanting Service - This week! We chant the Heart Sutra and Sengcan’s sweet Seussian strains of faith in love and taking heart in hate - The Faith in Mind Inscription. 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