Spiritual Security
⚡️ACZC Happenings, 10/12 - 10/18⚡️
“If you don't want a boss, don't need a boss. If you don't like your country, be a better one.” - Dave Cuomo
Hello Sangha!
Well happy friday y’all, it’s been a relatively relaxed week over here at ACZC as we’re slipping deeper into Fall and heading closer to our usual year end shenanigans, like our Fall retreat in just one month (! - see below) and fundraising season to follow (stay tuned!). But we’re also looking ahead to next year and are pretty excited about a sort of soft reboot of some of the schedule for 2025 now that our caretaker is back in residence full time and can help better plan such things. Starting in January we’ll definitely be bringing back the Zen Writing Workshop, and a to be decided Thursday night zazen gathering of some sort. Also there’s been unconfirmed rumors and rumblings of potential events like dedicated parent’s meditation sessions, including child care for those who aren’t often able to get out for such things due to said children, semi regular music and poetry performance nights, potential yoga sessions, a possible dedicated regular chanting workshop, and maybe even a longer practice period at some point next year. Also we have questions about whether the weekday morning sessions could be better timed or tailored for when people would want to attend. But while those are all rumors and potentials at the moment and we’re still sorting through what’s possible and what folks want to see on the schedule, the point is, if you have thoughts on what you’d like to see happen here in 2025, feel free to reach out and let us know! Of course not all ideas end up being possible and panning out, but we’re in brainstorming mode so the more voices the merrier. Our mission is always to provide events y’all are excited about showing up for, which we only know if you tell us. So feel free to chime in!
But yes, speaking of plans to make gods laugh and buddhas weep a little tear of satisfied sweetness, registration is open for our Fall Sesshin (11/8-11/11) being hosted right here at ACZC in the city. Full meals and overnight accommodations will be provided here at the center, but commuter and partial attendance options are available as well. Schedule and info is up here (schedule subject to change). And as always feel free to reach out if you have any questions at all.
But speaking of strapping in your safety belt to responsibly blow your mind on space and time, this week on the podcast we are very excited to bring you Spiritual Security (Spacetime & Community) w/ Dave Cuomo. This week Dave takes us out to the odd intersection where the warm fuzzies of scrappy boot strap community organizing meet the wild and wonderful mysticisms of space, time, and being. Can all that trippy transcendent brain candy of Zen philosophy help ground us in the things that matter most, or are they just one more pretension waiting to be let go? Is it possible to live an authentic meaningful life in the 21st century? Can we afford to? Is it even possible not to?? Find out here!
Up now at http://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms.
And hey speaking of fond nostalgia for things that haven’t even happened yet, here’s a koan for the week:
Case in point:
At the end of the summer practice period, Dongshan said to the assembly, “Summer is ending, Fall is here, and you young monks will go your separate ways. But wherever you go, find the place where there isn’t a single weed for miles and miles around.”
He went on, “How will you find the place where there isn’t a single weed for miles and miles around?”
Shishuang said, “The weeds are there as soon as we step outside.”
Dayang said, “It’s more like; before we even step outside the weeds are covering the whole world.”
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 - 10/12, 10am - 12:30pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Samm (What Am I Doing Here??) - Our biggest day of the week! Two half hour rounds of zazen, and then our dear friend and longtime sangha stalwart, Samm, takes the hot seat to grace us with the story of what she’s doing and why she’s here, while we just maybe learn something about those things for ourselves. Come on out and show your sangha support!
Monday - 10/14, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Heather Ross - One half hour round of zazen and then crowd favorite Heather returns to the hot seat with her classic blend of deep musings and inquireous confusions that we for one can’t wait to chew on. See y’al there.
Wednesday - 10/16, 7:30pm - 9pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion w/ Dave Cuomo - All good things come to an end, and for better or for worse it’s time for Dongshan’s monks to face the music of delusion waiting for them outside the temple gates. Is any of their new found inner peace a match for the cold winds of reality? Was a moment’s peace ever the peace it seemed? Let’s discuss!
Friday - 10/18, 8am
Morning Chanting Service - This week! We chant the Heart Sutra in English followed by Hongzhi and Dogen’s classic mashup mixtrack of good grandfatherly guidance to our favorite past time that’s gonna go where it goes regardless - the Zazenshin. 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