Zen practice in the Connecticut River Valley
Given the uncertainty around “omicron” the Sunday morning sit will move to Zoom, for the time being (to quote Dogen). As usual, the Zoom link will be shared via the email list on Saturday. (If you’re not yet signed up for the email list, just send your request to oxbowzensangha@gmail.com .)
For service, we’ll be chanting the “Heart Sutra,” as before.
Best wishes to you and your loved ones for health and well-being!
Update 12/30: The plan to sit together in person has been canceled, due to concern about rising case numbers. Please join everybody at the Village Zendo sit online.
On Friday, Dec 31, we plan to sit and practice together in our space for the two morning blocks of the Village Zendo Year-End retreat: Zazen/Kinhin from 7:30-9:10 AM, then individual breakfast and work practice, continuing with Zazen/Kinhin from 10:30-12:00.
Update 12/19: If you have robes, you’re invited to wear them.
Detailed schedule: https://villagezendo.org/events/song-of-enlightenment-winter-sesshin/
Our next study meeting will take place on Sunday, January 16, 9:30 AM after the regular Sunday sit. Stay posted to see if we’ll be studying the “Jewel Mirror” (which we’ve been chanting in service) or the “Shodoka” (Song of Enlightenment). Generally, we plan to read a section together and share what comes up for us in the moment. No prior study necessary. Think: reading and savoring poetry.
We enjoyed studying the Householder Koans. Starting on Sunday December 12 2021, we’ll be starting a new monthly study, centering on the “Song of Enlightenment” (Shodoka) (click to view), which is also the study text for the upcoming Village Zendo Winter Ango period (Dec 26 2021 – March 2022).
https://villagezendo.org/events/song-of-enlightenment-winter-sesshin/
The Dharma of thusness
Is intimately conveyed by Buddhas and Ancestors
Now you have it
Keep it well
Starting in December, we plan chant the “Song of the Jewel Mirror Awareness” (PDF) along with the Women Ancestors as our service so it can settle more fully into our bodies, minds, and bones. Hope you’ll be able to participate.
Three bows to Ryotan Roshi for making the trip to join the first in-person Zazenkai in about two years at Oxbow Zen. Thank you for an inspiring talk, generous interview, and a beautiful outdoor service!
SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, November 6, 2021: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Oxbow Zen Zazenkai with special guest teacher, Ryotan Roshi. Reach out via email for details.
Note: No Sunday morning sit on November 7 2021.
Study, now October 24: 9:30 am – 11:00 am, The Book of Householder Koans by Eve Myonen Marko and Wendy Egyoku Nakao. Jo-Ei will facilitate our investigation of “Kit’s New Practice” (p. 233). We’ll be exploring various ways to engage with this koan. All are welcome!
Also, we’re considering other books to continue our shared study. Please bring any suggestions to this study meeting.
Study, September 19: 9:30 am – 11:00 am, The Book of Householder Koans by Eve Myonen Marko and Wendy Egyoku Nakao. We’ll focus on the Koan “Ariel: Modern Nirvana” (p. 217). We’ll be exploring various ways to engage with this and other koans. Is there a koan that resonates with you? If so, go ahead and bookmark the page, as we are exploring many of these koans.
Dear friends! This August will be a quiet time at Oxbow Zen in terms of events, with Village Zendo events, as people are traveling and/or connecting with friends and family, etc. The email list should have details in case we don’t expect a quorum for our regular Sunday morning online sit. Make sure you’re signed up (send us email to be added to the list).