Settled Questions
ACZC Happenings, July 15th - 21st
Hello Sangha!
First off, big shout out to Joselyn Andreasen who stayed here briefly over the summer and casually left us this lovely painting of our lavender bushes (which happen to be flourishing at the moment) on the fridge. If any garden has ever been as pretty picture, pretty sure this is the picture they meant. Thanks Joselyn!
But also speaking of the generosity of talents, two big shout outs today. First, huge thanks to Henry Zander for holding down the fort with all our art and media and all the other daily duties the last several weeks. Thank you Henry! And y’all can look forward to his podcast on how we spent his summer vacation with us here at the center, coming out real soon.
And second, a big big thank you and fond farewell to ACZC resident Sara Campbell who not only busted butt to hold down the fort here these last several weeks, but has also been a huge part of making this center the warm and welcoming place it’s been over the last few years for so many people. More on that in the podcast, but for now, thank you for everything, Sara. We’ll miss you around here and all look forward to seeing you soon on the Zooms.
But speaking of turning to face the stranger of change, we are also very pleased to announce the newest addition to our schedule…. introducing Zen Breakfast!, now offered immediately after Friday’s 8am chanting service (let’s say 8:30am). It’s an ACZC take on traditional Zen Oryoki practice, with a silent community meal featuring fresh milled multi grain porridge, soft boiled eggs (if you’re into that), tofu (if you prefer), and probably a pickle or two because we here it’s good for the gut in the morning and hey, it’s tradition. Expect tea or coffee too. Because it turns out putting a little meditation in your meal time is a really nice thing to do. All are welcome! No prior registration required.
Also speaking of communing in compassionate consumption, we will be hosting the Gather Potluck here at the center on Sunday Early Evening, July 23rd from 5:30 - 8:30pm. All are welcome! You can give us a heads up here to let us know what you plan to bring, or just show up and surprise us because that’s great too.
And speaking of bountiful harvests of patiently planted dharma seeds, this week on the podcast we are very pleased to bring you Settled Question w/ Sara Campbell. Sara bids farewell to her tenure as ACZC resident and seasonal caretaker with some reflections on her years as a live-in zennie and a reading from Norman Fischer on the stages of monastic life. Was it all worth it? Is residential practice the one way ticket to enlightenment? Or a convenient way to burst your bubble on all such notions? Can we have spring flowers without the long cold winter? 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:
A monk asked National Teacher Nanyang, “What is the origin of the original Buddha?”
Nanyang said, “Pass me that bottle of wash water.”
The monk passed the bottle of wash water.
Nanyang said, “Now put it back.”
The monk asked again, “What is the origin of the original Buddha?”
Nanyang said, “That old Buddha is long gone.”
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 - 7/15 at 10am
Sit & Discussion w/ Erik Andersen - Two half hour rounds of zazen and then Erik is back to bring us another wild wise ride on the roller coasters of the One Bright Mind. We’ll see y’all there.
Monday - 7/17 at 7:30pm
Sit & Talk w/ Dave Cuomo - Our long wandering resident priest returns from his hiatus in Japan with stories of monks and mayhem in the monastery. Did they really beat the self out of him? Is traditional monastic training a test of enlightenment or merely endurance? Is there a method to this madness or has it all really just been one continuous mistake lost in translation?? Find out here!
Wednesday - 7/19 at 7:30pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion w/ Dave Cuomo - This week! We go hunting for the Bottom Turtle Buddha. If we didn’t start the fire, then who did? And who’s supposed to be on fire watch now?? Let’s find out.
Thursday - 7/20 at 7pm (Zoom Only)
Yoga & Zazen w/ Nina Snow - Nina leads us in a peaceful and perfect hour of slow flow yoga, followed by one half hour of the sweetest zazen you will sit all week. See you there!
Friday - 7/21 at 8am
Chanting & Zen Breakfast - This week! We honor our ancestors and take a well deserved break from the madness of trying to make sense of all this Zen lit by chanting our little brains out in Japanese with the Hanna Shingyo and Daihishin darani. And then! Immediately after the chanting we introduce the newest (and tastiest) session in our schedule with our own hot take on the traditional Zen breakfast (fresh milled multi grain porridge and soft boiled eggs (or tofu), oh my!). Let’s feed that original face, shall we?
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