“I don’t think happiness is the goal, but it is an indicator of something.” - Robert Holliday
ZEN CENTER HAPPENINGS - WEEK OF 12/31 - 1/6
Hello Sangha!
Well, Happy (just about) New Year everybody. The holidays may not be over quite yet, but we just couldn’t stay away from our cushions and are back open starting tomorrow evening (12/31 - 8pm) for a full weekly schedule (yay!). What can we say? We missed y’all. Although special cheers and bows to all those who joined us on the zoom for the Christmas morning sit again this year to spend an hour of your holiday with us. Silence is the celebration that says it all and it is always a joy to share that with you.
And speaking of silent celebrations for the sober (whatever that means to you), our reopening commences tomorrow evening 12/31 at 8pm with our annual New Year’s Eve Sit! The fun starts with two rounds of zazen, followed by discussion with Dave Cuomo at 9:10, and then at 10:10 we have three more rounds of zazen accompanied by the traditional ringing of 108 bells leading up until midnight when the city roars around us, all capped off with a hot chocolate toast. For anyone out there looking for a quieter and less hangover prone New Year’s party, we got you covered! And for those with better parties (or time zones) to attend to, feel free to join in person or online for as much or as little of the evening as you like.
But hey, speaking of a party big enough to include all of the sounds, silence, and silliness you could wish for, this week on the podcast we are very excited to bring you Robert Holliday with “The Sounds of Silliness” (What Am I Doing Here??). Long time sangha friend Robert brings us the story of what he’s doing and why he’s here with a fascinating discussion of sound and body, sonic meditations, and a personal look at how going deep on deep listening might help keep us on (or off) the path. What symphonies do we hear when the music stops? Why is ritual so satisfying even for non believers? And why do we find ourselves laughing when life most makes us want to cry?? Find out here!
Up now at http://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms
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, 12/31 at 8pm
New Year’s Eve w/ ACZC - Join us for a special evening of (literally) ringing in the New Year, ACZC style. A couple rounds of zazen, a special New Years discussion w/ Dave, and then a few more rounds of zazen (yay!) up until midnight accompanied by the traditional ringing of 108 bells. As always feel free to come for as much or as little of the evening as you like.
Monday 1/2 at 7:30pm
Sit & Talk w/ Corey Warner - One half hour of zazen and then our good friend Corey returns to the hot seat with some New Year’s words of wisdom of his own. Let’s discuss!
Wednesday 1/4 at 7:30pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion - This week! Huo told Deshan, “I ordered a flying dragon and all I got was this lame turtle!” (sounds like someone has the holiday blues…). Will Deshan set him straight with his infamous stick?? Or will the old turtle surprise us with a new trick? Let’s find out!
Thursday, 1/5 at 7pm (Zoom Only)
Yoga & Zazen w/ Nina Snow - And Nina is back for one hour of that zazen in motion we call yoga followed by one half hour of that one posture yoga we call zazen. Join us!
Friday, 1/6 at 8am
Heart Sutra Chanting Service - This week! We chant the Heart Sutra in English followed by Shitou’s classic ode to the dissonant notes that can’t help but find a way of getting along perfectly, The Harmony of Difference and Equality. 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