The Why Question
ACZC Happenings, 3/23 - 3/29
“In order to learn something new, first you have to be confused about it. If you aren't confused about it, you already know what it is and then you're not learning anything.” - Jitsujo Gauthier
Hello Sangha!
And happy Spring everybody. Our plucky little nectarine tree here in the ACZC garden has just started blooming its pretty pink blossoms, reminding us that time is passing! Which somehow always means we get at least as much we give up each time it does. Thanks, tree. You really are preaching the dharma just like they said.
But speaking of heavenly bodies telling time, it’s also the Worm Moon this week which means this Sunday (3/24) at 7pm is the return of the Full Moon Ceremony - the oldest (and some say prettiest) ceremony in Buddhism where we chant all our best ideas for living the good life, aka the precepts, and let go of some of our worst ideas in lovely call and response harmonies. And we would be delighted to see you all there.
And in other news of burying bad ideas in a barrage of eloquence - not an official ACZC event (for reasons below), but some of you may remember the Salon 17 series we were tangentially collaborating on awhile back, hosted by our old sangha friend Matthew Sherling and The Lucid Institute, where we held talks and roundtables about topics other than Buddhism (apparently they do exist) in a similar format to our usual dharma discussions. Well the good news is the series is back and has moved online! And this Saturday (3/23) at 6pm, our very own Dave Cuomo will be delivering a talk called “Holy Smokes! An Autobiographical History of Tobacco & Free Will.” This will be hosted on The Lucid Institute zoom, NOT on ACZC’s zoom, so email us here to get the access link and we’ll see y’all there!
But speaking of open questions worth a bit of serious reflection, this week on the podcast we are very excited to bring you The Why Question w/ Jitsujo Gauthier. Great sangha friend Jitusjo brings us hard won personal tips and tricks for navigating the confusion and fear of the inner world, and the discomfort we might find when we honestly shine the light inward. How can we read a room by listening to ourselves? Are we lonely, or is that just what the loneliness wants us to think? How do we let down our guard and be vulnerable when there are still things out there to guard against?? 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:
Kodo Sawaki said, “…religion that has nothing to do with our lives is nonsense. Converting people means helping them transform their lives from a half-baked, incomplete way to a genuine way..”
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 - 3/23, 10am - 12:30pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Emily Eslami - Our biggest day of the week! Two half hour rounds of zazen and then Emily is back in the hot seat with some expert advice on the beginner’s mind, with her continuing deep dive in to Shunryu Suzuki’s classic, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. See y’all there!
Sunday - 3/24, at 7pm
Full Moon Ceremony - Join us for a short and sweet half hour of zazen before we open our throats and slough off our regrets with the lyrical and melodious Ryaku Fusatsu, where we chant the precepts and remember why they were such good advice in the first place. All are welcome (no prior precept commitment required)!
Monday - 3/25, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & Discussion w/ Gyokei Yokoyama - One half hour of zazen and then our favorite supporting teacher takes the hot seat for a little talk and tea. Join us!
Wednesday - 3/27, 7:30pm - 9pm (Zoom Only)
Sit & Koan Discussion w/ Dave Cuomo - What’s the difference between a half baked life and a fully baked one? Are we trying to convert people? Can we help anyone?? Let’s discuss.
Thursday - 3/28 at 7pm - 8:30pm (Zoom Only)
Yoga & Zazen w/ Nina Snow - And Nina is back to round out our evenings and settle down our week with one rousingly restful hour of Slow Flow Zen Yoga, followed by a half hour of that sweet sweet zazen. We’ll see y’all there.
Friday - 3/29 at 8am
Chanting & Zen Breakfast - This week! We chant the Heart Sutra and recite some holy harmonies about a nap in the hay, Shitou’s Straw Hut Song . Poetry for the ages! And then stick around for ACZC’s fresh hot take on traditional Zen breakfast (house milled multi grain porridge! 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