Author: djinngallagher

An Introduction to Zen, March 24

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shundo 6

Photo: Shundo David Haye

Sunday, March 24, 1 pm – 4 pm

Find out how to use the teachings of Zen Buddhism to transform your life. During this introductory afternoon, you will:

  • Learn some simple techniques to help settle your mind
  • Find a sitting posture to maintain a quiet steadiness while you meditate
  • Design a meditation space to support a regular practice
  • Discover the path that can lead to an easing of anxiety and depression
  • Explore the practical aspects of the 11th step (for those in recovery)

We recommend loose comfortable clothing. The suggested donation is £10, but please donate whatever you can afford.

Settling the body and the breath cultivates a settled state of mind. Sitting in a balanced posture creates a quiet steadiness that can, with training, become our default state, a way to meet whatever happens with upright and calm awareness. When we regularly meditate in a space that is free from distraction and interruption, we can begin to discover a deeper level of stillness that stretches outwards from our limited self-absorbed world view. The preoccupations of our daily lives take up less space for a while as we give our active cognitive brains a rest and take the backwards step that turns the light inward.

 

A New Kind of New Year’s Eve

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sunrise new year

December 31, 8pm – midnight

“Moment after moment we should renew our life, we should not stick to old ideas of what life is, or what our way of life is. Especially at the end of the year we should completely renew our feelings and completely clean even our cars. If we always stick to old ideas and always repeat the same thing over and over again, then we are confined in our old way of life. Some excitement or some occasion is necessary to encourage us along.” – Suzuki Roshi

As the year winds down, join us in our year-end ceremony of traditional Soto Zen practices:

  • Temple cleaning
  • Toshikoshi noodles (symbolizing “year bridging”)
  • Creating an intention to carry with you into 2019
  • Two periods of sitting and walking zazen
  • Ringing in the New Year with 108 bells (to ward off the 108 delusions of mind!)

Schedule:
8:00 pm – Bow-in together and work circle
9:00 – Vegetarian “year-bridging” noodles
9:45 – Sitting together around the table to write down our intention for the coming year
10:30 – Han begins for zazen
10:40 – Zazen
11:10 – Kinhin
11:25 – Zazen with 108 bells
12:00 – Year end, hugs, and celebration

Make this New Year’s Eve a joyful occasion of rededicating ourselves to practice and wisdom and compassion for all!

Come sit in stillness and presence amidst the raucous energy of the city. Program begins at 8 pm and lasts until after midnight.

Please let us know if you’re coming so we know how many people to plan for; email us here.
Suggested donation: £5 (No one turned away for lack of funds)

May all beings live with the joy of an open heart!