The Red Badge of Suffering
ACZC happenings, 4/29 - 5/5
“There’s a feeling of, if I was stressed out, then it must have been really good. Or people say, ‘I would meditate but I don’t want to lose my edge.’ But what heights could they attain without the misery and suffering?” - Emily Eslami
Hello Sangha!
Thanks to all of you who came out on Monday night to welcome our guest speaker, Ben Connelly, who treated us to a lively talk about Vasubandhu's “Three Natures.” We don’t know about you, but we’ve chanted this Zen ancestor’s name many times at ACZC ceremonies, and it was nice to learn more about his teachings. We’ll likely put the talk out as a podcast in the future, but if you’re curious in the meantime, you can find Ben’s books here. And thanks again to Ben for coming to see us and share the dharma!
OK, many of you have asked, so we are pleased to say that we finally have a date for the rescheduled volunteer day here at the center! Next weekend instead of doing our usual half day sit, those interested can stick around after the first round of zazen for some good old fashioned work practice. So save the date for Saturday, May 6 if that sounds appealing! We’ll plan to do some yard work around the grounds and a bit of cleanup in the zendo. Drop by if you’re around!
And speaking of cleaning up, this week on the podcast we have The Red Badge of Suffering (Single Minded Effort) w/ Emily Eslami
Emily throws us a bonfire of the attachments with a pointed talk on single minded effort. With readings from Shunryu Suzuki’s Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, we take a good hard look at all the sticky sweet talking memories and ideas that keep us from fully doing the things we do. Is there a healthy place for praise and blame in our endeavors? Are we entitled to the fruits of our own actions? Is Emily’s casserole just too mouth-wateringly delicious to burn up in the flames of enlightenment?? Find out here!!
Up now at http://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms!
Now, how about koan to take us into the weekend?
Case in point:
While giving a talk, Yunmen said, “Tell me - an ancient Buddha and the pillar outside have become intimate. How would you rate what they’re doing?
The assembly said nothing.
So Yunmen said, “Ask me and I’ll tell you.”
So a monk asked.
And Yunmen said, “One strip of silk and 30 in cash.”
And then instead he said, “On South Mountain the clouds rise up. On North Mountain the rain falls down.”
The monk asked, “What happened to the strip of silk and 30 in cash?”
Yunmen said, “It’s a deal!”
This Week in Zen! All times are in Pacific time zone and all sessions are hosted in person and on Zoom unless otherwise marked (email us for quick and easy Zoom access info):
Saturday - 4/29 at 10am
Sit & Talk w/ Corey Warner - Two half hour rounds of zazen, one walking meditation in the middle, and then Corey is back to bring us teachings from the inimitable Kodo Sawaki delivered with his trademark dry wit. Join us!
Monday - 5/1 at 7:30pm
Sit & Talk w/ Jason Dodge - We’ll sit one half hour of zazen and then Jason returns to the hot seat with the third installment in his insightful series of talks about the Diamond Sutra. Come sit and let’s discuss this Zen classic!
Wednesday - 5/3 at 7:30pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion w/ Sara Campbell - Just what, exactly, are the monks doing to pillars here, folks? Let’s find out.
Thursday - 5/4 at 7pm (Zoom Only)
Yoga & Zazen w/ Nina Snow - Nina treats us to one hour of her patented blend of Slow Flow Zen Yoga (™) specially designed to open up the hips in ways that do a meditator’s body good. Join us!
Friday - 5/5 at 8am
Heart Sutra Chanting Service - This week! We chant the Heart Sutra in English followed by Shitou’s Harmony of Difference and Equality. Great Zen poetry, and fun to chant to boot! See you there.
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