Still Still Space
Dogen said, "I would have said for them, ‘Master, you only know about cutting the cat into two with one stroke, yet you do not know about cutting it into one with one stroke.’”
Ejo asked, “How do you cut it into one with one stroke?”
Dogen said, “The cat itself.”
ZEN CENTER HAPPENINGS - WEEK OF 11/12 - 11/18
Hello Sangha!
Just a quick one tonight to get y’all the schedule for next week, as we’re busy not saying much over here at the Fall retreat. We’ll be back next week with all the fresh cartoons and podcasts you can handle, not to mention the big reveal of our Big Fall Fundraiser with all its prizes and aspirations (oh boy!). In the meantime, enjoy the above teaser for this week’s consequential and controversial koan that we can’t wait to hear your thoughts on come Wednesday. See y’all real soon!
Due to retreat we will not be hosting drop in sitting at the center tomorrow (Saturday November 11th). But you are welcome to join on Zoom! Sitting starts at 9:40am, talk to follow at 11am. As always, feel free to logon at the time you are able.
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, 11/12 at 9:40am - 12pm
Sit & Talk - Live From Retreat! (Zoom Only) We open up the still still space of our Fall retreat for you to join on Zoom! Due to some necessary last minute schedule adjustments sitting will begin at 9:40am with a talk to follow 11am. As always you’re welcome to pop on and join us as your schedule allows.
Monday 11/14 at 7:30pm
Sit & Talk w/ Jordan Mylet - Long time sangha friend Jordan returns to the hot seat to talk about thinking vs. feeling Zen, and whether or not that pesky little “vs.” really belongs in there at all. Why can’t all these heads and hearts just get along? Let’s try that shall we? Join us!
Wednesday 11/16 at 7:30pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion - This week! Case 9 of the Book of Serenity - We have another absolute koan classic for you this week with the internet’s least favorite cat video - Nanquan’s Cat. It’s cute, it’s cuddly, and the monk’s of the Eastern and Western Hall can’t agree on who get’s to play with it first. Will Nanquan’s sword be able to to cut everyone a fair deal? Will the cat live to purr another day?? Let’s find out.
Thursday, 11/17 at 7pm (Zoom Only)
Yoga & Zazen w/ Nina Snow - And our favorite yoga director returns to lead us in one hour of rousingly restful Slow Flow yoga, followed by one half hour of sweet sweet zazen. We’ll see y’all there.
Friday, 11/18 at 8am
Heart Sutra Chanting Service - This week! We chant the Heart Sutra in English, followed by Dongshan’s look into that great fun house reflection, The Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi. 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