The Great G(r)ift
ACZC Happenings, 10/21 - 10/27
“The benefit of you existing is you get to figure out what that means for yourself. And then you can come back and teach the rest of us about that. And that’s a real generosity.” - Dave Cuomo
Hello Sangha!
Some folks worship flying spaghetti monsters, some have their Bob Dobbs, here we apparently offer up our prayers to a thousand eyed, thousand hand, cockatoo carrying font of compassion called She Who Hears the Cries of the World. Because if we’re gonna get a little Zen, we might as well also get a little weird. And 10 karmic merit points to whoever can write in first with an accurate (as approved boy our graphics department) translation of what that kanji’s saying in the speech bubble on the left there….
But speaking of fonts of compassion, tomorrow (Saturday 10/21 - 12:30pm) ) after the sit and discussion stick around if you wanna help your sangha friends pack up some sanitation packs for the women’s shelter downtown. Because hanging out with your friends while doing something kind sounds like a perfect Saturday afternoon to us. Also, we heard a rumor there may be doughnuts (now that’s a circle of compassion right there).
And speaking of getting what you give (you got the music in you) this week on the podcast we are very pleased to bring you The Great G(r)ift (Generosity) w/ Dave Cuomo. Dave gifts us with a deep dive into generosity in the first on a new series on the paramitas, aka the six perfections, aka the six things that all good Buddhas have gotten really really good at to get them where they are. What is the spirit of giving in Buddhism? How can we do our part to keep the great river of resources flowing for everyone? And how do we handle greed and jerkiness in others without turning into the sort of person we were all up in arms about in the first place? Find out here!
Up now at http://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms!
Also yes there is still space and time to register for the Fall Retreat (November 10th - 13th at Mount Baldy Zen Center) but we’re getting close, so now’s the time to get those registrations in if you haven’t already or reach out to us and give us a heads up soon. And did we mention there’s a zoom option?? Because there’s also a zoom option! (whoa)
And hey, here’s a koan for the week:
Case in point:
Dongshan was out for a walk with his dharma uncle Mi when a white rabbit ran in front of them.
Mi said, “What a beauty!”
Dongshan said, “Why so?”
Mi said, “It’s like a pleb was made the prime minister.”
Dongshan said, “Uncle, how could you say something like that!”
Mi said, “What would you say?”
Dongshan said, “It was like for a moment the whole nobility were laid low.”
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 - 10/21 at 10am
Sit & Talk w/ Henry Zander - Our biggest day of the week! Two half hour rounds of zazen, one walking meditation in the middle, and then our far flung former caretaker returns to the hot seat for a little talk and tea. We’ll see y’all there!
Monday - 10/23 at 7:30pm
Sit & Talk w/ Tanya Orlov - One half hour of zazen and then ACZC’s own resident extraordinaire steps up to regale us with the inside skinny on life behind the center walls (and you know, sitting in front of them too). Join us!
Wednesday - 10/25 at 7:30pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion - This week! Uncle Mi has a nature crush, but Dongshan’s looking a little non plussed. Can one moment really be so extraordinary? Or does the rest-of-the-time need to step up its game?? Let’s discuss.
Thursday - 10/26 at 7pm (Zoom Only)
Yoga & Zazen w/ Nina Snow - Our favorite yoga director returns to lead us in one hour of Slow Flow Yoga to wind down our weeks, before we settle into our seats for one perfect half hour of zazen. We’ll see y’all there.
Friday - 10/27 at 8am
Chanting & Zen Breakfast - This week! We chant the Heart Sutra in English followed by Dongshan’s hymn to the beautiful buddha smiling back at you when you’re just trying to brush your teeth - The Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi. 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! 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