“I was clinging to this idea that everything about me was terrible, and that I could be better, but I had failed. It was a constant refusal to make peace with what I had to offer.
And that is total bullsh*t. The more you start to learn about what you are, which is absolutely completely interdependent and just a fractal of what everyone else is, the more it starts to break down. I can't hate myself. It just doesn't make sense.” - Sara Campbell
Hello Sangha!
First we want to huge a big shout out and thank you to our own Jason Dodge, for his fantastic rendition of “Space Flowers” (which we all remember from Dogen and the Surangama Sutra, of course) posted for you above. As long time readers know, Jason does a yearly print for us as a fundraiser and as usual this one sold out in a matter of hours. We are as inspired by the art, as we are grateful, and now a little curious to hear a talk on some Space Flowers soon…?? If you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and give him a follow over on instagram.
And a further huge shout out and thank you to everyone who’s donated to our Year End Fundraiser where we are just over halfway to our goal! We know it’s been a tough year out there financially for a lot of people, and it really does mean a lot to see y’all come together and pitch in to keep this place going. If you’re able to donate this year, please do! And help keep ACZC open and accessible for everyone. Plus great rewards! All up at aczc.org/fundraiser.
And speaking of sangha coming together, as some of you may have seen, this Sunday (12/3 - 7pm) is our first General Meeting in memory (zoom only), where we will be discussing plans for the upcoming Ango practice period, and we would appreciate the input of those who want to participate to help us finagle a schedule that encourages and inspires for all! Plus, speaking of inspiring speeches, Dave said he has a few things about shared stewardship he’d like to talk about as well. Join us on zoom to discuss!
And speaking of fantastic weekend plans, tomorrow (12/2) is the first Saturday of the month, which means it’s time for the December Half Day Sit at 10am! Join us for a full half day of Zen (details below), and as always, feel free to join for as much or as little of the day as you’re able.
If anyone (who you know personally) is sick or otherwise in need of good health well wishes, you can add their names to the form you see here (bottom of the page) to include them in our Well Being Dedication.
And last big announcement! Next Friday, December 8th at 8pm is our annual Rohatsu All Night Sit, where we will celebrate the anniversary of Buddha’s enlightenment the way he did, by sitting up all night and seeing what the heck happens. Join us! Let’s get a little weird y’all.
But speaking of reaching down to adjust your zafu in the middle of the night, this week on the podcast we are very pleased to bring you Surprised & Delighted (Self Compassion & the 5 Skandas) w/ Sara Campbell. Following up on our retreat theme of compassion and the five skandas, Sara gives us a raw and revealing look at self compassion. Plus, she gives us the naked truth of what it was like to be Zen Center caretaker over the summer. What techniques and theories does Zen offer for cultivating self compassion and is there more to zen than zazen? Where does love and appreciation go when it can’t find its way back home? And how do we find time for self care when the problem is we’re stretched too thin in the first place?? 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:
A monk asked Mihu, “Did the ancient sages really get the ultimate truth?”
Mihu said, “They did.”
The monk asked, “How can we get it like they did?”
Mihu said, “Depending on the context, right and wrong realizations aren’t always different things. A great leader might swindle their enemies to save the nation. What kind of a person does it take to do that?”
The monk said, “I’ve got nothing. I’ll shut up now.”
Mihu said, “We teach from a grounded a place. Guard it well.”
Mihu then sent the monk to Yangshan and told him to ask, “Can modern people still realize enlightenment?”
Yangshan said, “There’s always enlightenment, but what are you going to do when you over think it?”
The monk returned and told Mihu what Yangshan said.
Mihu profoundly agreed.
Mihu sent the monk out again, this time to Dongshan, and had him ask, “What do you make of all that?”
Dongshan said, “Go back and ask Mihu, only he can tell you.”
Mihu agreed with this too.
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 - 12/2 at 10am - 2:10pm
Half Day Sit w/ Dave Cuomo - Our biggest day of the month! Two half hour rounds of zazen, a short Well Being Ceremony, a talk with Dave (the 5th Paramita… meditation! What the heck is that about??), a short break for homemade blueberry bagel brunch, and then we’re back for two more rounds of sweet sweet zazen. As always feel free to come for as much or as little of the day as you’re able. See y’all there!
Sunday - 12/3 at 7pm -8pm(ish) (Zoom Only)
General Meeting - Join us on zoom to discuss the upcoming Ango practice period - how to get involved and what there is to be involved in.
Monday - 12/4 at 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & Talk w/ Gyokei Yokoyama - One half hour of zazen and then talk and tea with our favorite supporting teacher Gyokei returning to the hot seat to daunt and dare us with some delightful little dharmas. Join us!
Wednesday - 12/6 at 7:30pm - 9pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion W/ Heather Ross - Can people these days still get enlightened? Should we be talking about this? Are we bad Zen students if we do? Are we bad Zen students if we don’t?? Are the Zen taboo police gonna come down and make us all sit down and shut up??? Let’s discuss.
Thursday - 12/7 at 7pm - 8:30pm (Zoom Only)
Yoga & Zazen w/ Nina Snow - Nina is back to help us wind down our weeks with one hour of Slow Flow Zen Yoga, followed by one half hour the sweetest zazen you will sit all week. Join us!
Friday - 12/8 at 8am
Chanting & Zen Breakfast - This week! We honor the ancestors with the Maka Hannya Haramita Shingyo (Heart Sutra in Japanese Sino Sanskrit) and the Daihishin darani. Because if you thought this was all supposed to make sense, you haven’t been paying attention. Poetry for the ages! And then stick around for ACZC’s fresh hot take on traditional Zen breakfast (house milled multi grain porridge - now with apples and raisins! mmm…). A nutritious (and delicious) part of this complete practice. Let’s dig in.
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