”My job isn't to not make mistakes, it's to figure them out. That's the fun of it. They’re not really mistakes. They’re what I’m supposed to be doing.” - Dave Cuomo
ZEN CENTER HAPPENINGS - WEEK OF 8/27 - 9/2
Hello sangha!
The newspapers are right! It is hot here in sunny California and we are sorry we ever questioned whether September should still be called Summer. Yes we get it! We’ll never taunt you again, Nature…
And while we would never again question the wisdom of the weather, if you’re looking for a way to chill out the parts of ourselves we’re able, tomorrow (Saturday 9/3) is our monthly Half Day Sit at 10am! Join us for two rounds of zazen, a quick Well Being Ceremony to send good wishes to our ailing loved ones, a little story time with Dave Cuomo as he regales us with all the 1st century wit & wisdom of the Vimalakirti Sutra (this month - our bodhisattvas order out for lunch - by conjuring a ghost bodhisattva, opening a portal between worlds, and sending him through with a reminder to tip well. As you do…), a quick break for our own lunch (lunch provided for anyone staying in-person through the afternoon), and then we’re back with two more rounds of afternoon zazen. Whoa.
If you have anyone (who you know personally) who is sick or otherwise in need of good health well wishes, you can enter their names in the form you see here (bottom of the page) and we will be happy to include them in the Well Being Dedication.
Also, a preliminary announcement - folks have been asking about dates for the Fall Mt Baldy Retreat. Yes, there is going to be one! We’re talking to Baldy and waiting for final confirmation, but it looks most likely to be the weekend of November 11th - 14th (Friday 12pm - Monday 2pm). More info on all that as soon as we have it locked down, but for now, that’s your save the date announcement.
But hey, speaking of taking the time to take a good hard look at the cobwebs of our minds, this week on the podcast we are very pleased to bring you Dave Cuomo with “Space Dust” (Guest and Host). Who’s actually driving this car? Is anyone really steering the ship?? If we’re not our thoughts, then who’s making our choices, and do we have any agency in that? Dave looks at a history of classic (and lovely) Zen writings on host and guest, little-self/big-self, and all the space in between to try to get us some answers.
Up now at http://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms
And now… This Week in Zen!
All sessions hosted in person and on Zoom unless otherwise marked (email us for quick and easy Zoom access info):
Saturday, 9/3 at 10am
Half Day Sit w/ Dave Cuomo - Our biggest day of the month! Two half hour rounds of zazen, one walking meditation in the middle, a short Well Being Ceremony, a discussion w/ Dave, and then! After a short lunch break we’re back for two more rounds of lovely afternoon zazen. We’ll see y'all there.
If you have anyone (who you know personally) who is sick or otherwise in need of good health well wishes, you can enter their names in the form you see here (bottom of the page) and we will be happy to include them in the Well Being Dedication.
Monday 9/5 at 7:30pm
Sit & Talk w/ Sara Campbell - Sara is back in the hot seat for an evening of enlightening exploration (enlightenment not guaranteed (although still inherent (nbd)) aka one half hour of sweet sweet zazen followed by talk & tea. Join us!
Wednesday 9/7 at 7:30pm (Zoom Only)
Koan Night - This week! Wuxie said to Shitou, “If you can say something agreeable to me, I’ll stay. If not, I’ll leave.” Will Shitou come through? Will Wuxie find what he’s looking for?? Will we say something agreeable worth coming back to koan night for? Let’s find out.
Thursday, 9/8 at 7pm (Zoom Only)
Yoga & Zazen w/ Nina Snow- Nina returns with one hour of her famous brand of Slow Flow Zen Yoga™ perfectly designed to cool us down and chill us out before sending us to our zafus for one half hour of the waking up of sitting around. See y’all there.
Friday, 9/9 at 8am
Join us for the Heart Sutra Chanting Service! This week we chant the Heart Sutra in English followed by Shitou’s classic ode to the ultimate truth of sitting around the house - The Straw Hut Song! 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