Two Way Relationship
⚡️ACZC Happenings, 5/9 - 5/15⚡️
“ I tried really hard to make that guy leave his wife, while he just could not pull the trigger. That was me pulling the knot from the left. I tried really hard to make myself stay in that amazing job with all the status and perks you could want. That was me pulling the knot from the right. The center of the knot was that I was living like an a-hole and causing harm. That’s where I started to untie the knot.”
- Sara Campbell
Hello Sangha!
If you missed last week, the big news around here is that we launched a surprise mid-year merch drop to raise some funds to support our upcoming trip to Japan for the completion of Dave’s licensure as a teacher. This is the final step in all the years of effort and training to get ACZC certified as a fully recognized Zen Center. 🙌
It seems that so far the most popular item is the Buddha Bowl t-shirt, and we can’t say we’re totally surprised. If enough of y’all get one Dave might actually have a shot at seeing his long-held pipe dream of an ACZC bowling league come true. 🎳
And in other dream-making news, check out our brand new letterpress! OK, technically it’s an etching press, but regardless, this is a device we’ll be using to hand print covers of our own zines and books.
After many years of talking about how many talented writers and artists are in the sangha, we’re excited to finally be putting them to work sharing the dharma on behalf of all living beings! By which we mean making printed literature with Zen writing and commentary, of course. Did ACZC just start a small press? We just may have!
Please visit our fundraiser page for more details on all the lovingly-made merch (including both a book AND a zine!) we have available for you, and support us getting to Japan if you can. Any amount makes a huge difference! 👇⬇👇
And hey, save the date for our book launch and album release party on Saturday, May 23rd at 7pm, the night before we leave for Japan, right here at ACZC. Details/RSVP here.
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Our Spring Zen Camping Retreat is a Month Out!
Have you registered? From noon Friday, 6/12 to noon-ish Monday, 6/15, we’ll gather at beautiful Point Mugu State Park (just north of Malibu) for a classic silent Zen retreat and coastal camping weekend with friends.
Also! We’ve reserved the campsite for an additional night (that Monday) for anyone who’d like to hang free form afterward. Join us! 👇👇👇
And speaking of putting our faith out into space and trusting space to send some back, this week on the podcast we are pleased to present 🎙️“Two Way Relationship (Spiritual Crises) w/ Sara Campbell”🎙️
Sara delves into the thorny weeds of spiritual crises, starting with a raw one of her own, and how to work with listening practice in zazen. What is that black tangled knot in our chests and how might we untie it? What is spiritual crisis and can we be better off for having had it? How can we trust ourselves once we’ve noticed that we can’t entirely be trusted?? Find out here!
Up now at https://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms.
📖 This Week in ZenLit(™): 📖
The Buddha said,
“There was once a monk who didn’t read or chant sutras, instead he would go around bowing to people. He would go up to any monk, nun, or lay person he came across, bow respectfully, and say, ‘I have so much respect for you. I will never disparage or be arrogant to you, because you are on the bodhisattva path and are certain to become a buddha.’
Many of them would get angry when he said this because their minds were muddled, and they would curse him, saying, ‘Who does this stupid monk think he is, presuming to say he won’t disparage us and making vain and useless predictions about us becoming buddhas?’ Then they would beat him. After he escaped, he would call out from a safe distance, ‘I will never disparage you, because you are on the bodhisattva path and are certain to become a buddha!’
What do you think? Have you ever met this Bodhisattva Never Disparaging who lived so long ago?? In fact he was none other than me in a previous life!”
⚡️This Week in Zen! ⚡️
All times Pacific. All sessions are in-person + on Zoom unless otherwise noted (email us for Zoom info).
Saturday - 5/9, 10am - 12:05pm
Sit & Talk with Dave Cuomo - Our biggest day of the week! We'll do two half-hour rounds of zazen, and Dave takes the hotseat for an off-the-record Q&A. He’ll read some parables from the Lotus Sutra to warm us up, and then open the floor for wherever the discussion wants to go. Bring your most burning questions, tensions, inklings, and insights! See you there.
Monday - 5/11, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & Talk w/ Sara Campbell - One half hour of zazen and then Sara is back for a talk about way-seeking mind. Why are we here and others are not? Join us and let’s see if we can find out!
Wednesday - 5/13, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & ZenLit(™) Night - This week! A tale from the Lotus Sutra about how we might respond to people who respond negatively when we treat them a certain way. Let’s discuss!
Friday - 5/15, 8am - 8:40am
Morning Chanting Service - This week we’ll chant the Ryogonshu followed by the Heart of Great Perfect Wisdom Sutra and the Golden Mirror Meditation Verse, followed by our lineage ancestors. When arrow points collide / what does that have to do with skill? Poetry for the ages! Come on out and lend us your voice.
Tues - Sat - Ango Schedule | 3/17 - 5/23
As always, feel free to join for as much or as little of the schedule as you’re able.
6:30 - 7:00am……………..Coffee
7:00 - 8:00am………………Zazen
8:05 - 8:40am………………Morning Chanting Service (the epic Ryogonshu!)
8:40 - 9:10am…………..…Zen Breakfast (aka oryoki)
9:10 - 9:50am………………Work Practice
11:30 - 11:45am………….(Zoom only) Midday Nitchu Chanting Service
4:30 - 5pm…………………..(Zoom only) Evening Banka Chanting Service
See y’all soon!
Love,
ACZC