Wobbly Wheel
⚡️ACZC Happenings, 3/14 - 3/20⚡️
“I can try to shine awareness on the words coming out of my mouth as they’re coming out of my mouth. But it doesn’t necessarily change the words that are coming out of my mouth.” - Matthew Sherling
Hello Sangha!
The countdown is on…Tuesday marks the start of ACZC’s second annual spring ango! It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since our first intensive practice period, but you know what they say about time and its properties. 🪽
This year we’ll have a new trainee (hi Mota!) in the house and a couple more chanting services later in the day in addition to our expanded morning schedule. We would love for you to join us for as much or as little of the schedule as you are able!
Here’s the rundown:
ACZC Spring Ango Schedule | 3/17 - 5/23, 2026
Tuesday - Saturday:
6:30 - 7:00am……………..Coffee
7:00 - 8:00am………………Zazen
8:05 - 8:40am………………Morning Chanting Service (the return of the epic Ryogonshu!)
8:40 - 9:10am…………..…Zen Breakfast (aka oryoki)
9:10 - 9:50am………………Work Practice
(Zoom only) 11:30 - 12:00pm………….Midday Nitchu Chanting Service
(Zoom only) 4:30 - 5:00pm……………..Evening Banka Chanting Service
(Note that on Saturdays, we’ll also host our usual 10am - 12:05pm zazen + sit & talk.)
While we don’t have a formal way of registering for the ango (we trust your process implicitly), consider this a whole hearted invitation to sit daily over the next three months and to join us in the schedule as much as you can. We practice goallessness around here and would never want to prescribe results, but hey, something nice just might happen. We give it pretty good odds actually :)
And in other big news, we’re thrilled to announce that registration is now open for our June Retreat! (Our first Coastal Camping Retreat!)
From noon Friday, 6/12 to noon-ish Monday, 6/15, we’ll gather at a beautiful group campsite in Point Mugu State Park (just north of Malibu). This has been an ACZC dream for years, and we are excited to finally bring it to fruition. We’ve got our usual full schedule of zazen, yoga, talks, meals prepared over the fire, and good old-fashioned community practice, only this time with the sound of the mighty Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. Plus, flush toilets! It’s gonna be epic, and we would be delighted if you join us.
But wait, even more good stuff is ahead!! Mark your calendars:
Zen Writing Workshop: Saturday, March 21st, 1:00 - 3:30 pm
Same Difference Variety Show: Saturday, April 4 at 7pm
And speaking of fast-moving forward momentum, this week on the podcast we are pleased to present 🎙️“Wobbly Wheel (Worth & Attention) w/ Matthew Sherling”🎙️
Matthew brings us an encouraging and insightful talk on working with our default states, self worth, how to pay attention, karmic momentum, and sleepwalking our way toward our own best intentions. What is the right frame of mind for Zen practice or art, and do we have to be in it for it to count? What are the consequences of restlessness? Should we be judging ourselves more?? Find out here!
Up now at https://aczc.org/aczcpodcast or on all your favorite podcast platforms.
📖 This Week in ZenLit(™): 📖
Yunyan asked Daowu, “What does the Bodhisattva of Love and Care do with her thousands of hands and eyes?”
Daowu said, “It’s like a hand reaching back for a pillow in the middle of the night.”
Yunyan said, “I understand!”
Daowu said, “What do you understand?”
Yunyan said, “The body is covered in hands and eyes.”
Daowu said, “You said so much, and so well, but that’s still only about 80% of it.”
Yunyan said, “That’s my answer. What’s yours, brother?”
Daowu said, “The whole body is hands and eyes.”
⚡️This Week in Zen! ⚡️
All times Pacific. All sessions are in-person + on Zoom unless otherwise noted (email us for Zoom info).
Saturday - 3/14, 10am - 12:05pm
Sit & Talk w/ Beth Kaiserman - Our biggest day of the week! We’ll do two half-hour rounds of zazen, and then Beth returns to the hotseat for a talk about identity…or something like it. See you there!
Monday - 3/16, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & Talk w/Andy Thomas - One half hour of zazen and then Andy is back to talk about what’s going on with our emotions when we sit. What do we notice, and what does Zen have to say about it? Join us and let’s discuss!
Wednesday - 3/18, 7:30pm - 9pm
Sit & ZenLit(™) Night - This week! Daowu and Yunyan talk about a certain bodhisattva’s famous appendages. What do we understand about them? Join us and let’s discuss!
Friday - 3/20, 8am
Morning Chanting Service - This week we’ll chant the Maka Hannya Haramitta Shingyo and the Daihishin Darani, followed by our women ancestors. 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