Shake the Quake
⚡️ACZC Happenings, 11/9 - 11/15⚡️
“Zen is not an established technique. It's sitting down and admitting that nobody can tell you what is right but you. No one knows the ground beneath your feet but you. Nobody can bear witness for you. And when something really shakes you, there can be a powerful moment where all of the sudden you just know one thing for certain. But it might be different than what you think.” - Dave Cuomo
Hello Sangha!
Y’all, I’ve been trying to make this “Dukkha Happens” joke happen for years now, and so far it’s been a lot of crickets and friends politely changing the subject. But, forgive me for believing in this latest attempt at the graphic. Sometimes you just have to polish a turd and see if something unexpected wants to bloom. And sometimes, it even does. Probably not going to be the t-shirt this year, but for a neighborhood promo poster? I’d go to that Zen Center. Hell, I might never leave.
But yes, our Fall Retreat is this weekend (11/8-11/11). In person registration is of course closed now, but if you didn’t get a chance to register, you are still welcome to join us online for what you like at the usual Zoom access. Schedule is posted up here along with online registration (pay what you can, no one turned away as always). Looking real forward to seeing you real soon!
And also, yes, the Saturday (11/9) 10am session time is still open and available for everyone online or in person this weekend.
But speaking of taking the time to find a heartbeat so confident it can shake the ground beneath your feet, this week on the podcast we are very pleased to bring you Shake the Quake (Confidence & Certainty) w/ Dave Cuomo. Dave goes looking for confidence in a world of certain uncertainty with the story of the time Buddha touched grass and knew one thing for certain. What can we know for certain when the whole world seems to disagree with what we see? Is there a non-hubristic confidence that can’t be shaken despite all the slings, arrows, and earthquakes that come our way? Is there a non-dogmatic certainty so strong it can shake the earth right back?? 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:
Luzu asked his dharma brother Nanquan, “In the Song of Enlightenment it says, ‘Everyone ignores the One Bright Pearl, but it’s right there in the Buddha Womb.’ What is the Buddha Womb?”
Nanquan said, “Our little back and forth.”
Luzu said, “But we’re not going back or forth.”
Nanquan said, “That’s also part of the Buddha Womb.”
Luzu said, “What is the Pearl?”
Nanquan called out, “Hey Luzu!”
Luzu answered, “Yes?”
Nanquan said, “Get out of here. You don’t understand a word I say.”
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):
Friday - 11/8 - Monday 11/11
Fall Retreat! - See y’all real soon…
Saturday - 11/9, 10am - 12:15pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Sara Campbell - Two half hour rounds of zazen, and then Sara Campbell joins us live and in person to take the hot seat and deliver us some fresh hot dharma. Join us!
Monday - 11/11, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Mota - One half hour of sweet sweet zazen and then Mota also joins us live and in person to deliver all that good Zen stillness he’s cultivated all weekend in one great burst of boundless banter. What kind of wisdoms will he have to say after four days of not saying much if anything? Let’s find out!
Wednesday - 11/13, 7:30pm - 9pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion w/ Dave - Luzu wants to know what kind of Bright Pearls of perfection these Buddhas are dropping out of their Buddha Wombs. We want to know what kind of esoteric intrigue they mean with all these enticing little imageries. Let’s discuss!
Friday - 11/15, 8am
Morning Chanting Service - This week! We chant the Heart Sutra and Shitou’s ode to getting along with the people and parts of this world who seem inclined to do anything but - 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