Weekday evening sits resume

Weekday evening sits resume on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30 PM. At Magna House, as usual … please bring cushions and arrive a few minutes early to set up your seat. Chairs are available. Looking forward to practicing with you!

A small stone Buddha flanked by a small summer bouquet of flowers and a tealight candle inside a rough glass container.
Late summer altar …

Spring Reading / Writing / Inquiry

 In spring 2019 we plan to have a monthly reading/writing/study group — online or in person. That way we can stay connected and practice together in the spring while Jo-Ei and Kenko are on the West Coast.  Initial ideas might be similar to a monthly book study:

  • read a chapter,
  • write one page of reflections into a shared Google Doc,
  • read some of the other participants’ writings before the meeting,
  • then deepen the reflection together during the meeting (online or in person).
  • Maybe a “Final Presentation” such as a poem, song, dance, painting, …

“Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind” was mentioned as one possible reading. Open to additional ideas. Let’s let this ferment a little while longer and come together to settle on a plan later this year. If you’re interested, let’s make sure we keep you in the loop, whether you’re in town or at a distance.

Zazenkai Oct 27: Registration Open

Dear local Oxbow Zen Sangha and friends:

Registration is now open online for the

Oxbow Zen Fall Zazenkai at
Shokai’s and Mark’s house
on Saturday Oct 27 2018,
from 8 AM – 4:30 PM

at

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0c4babab29a0fb6-zazenkai1

Ryotan Sensei from the Village Zendo will be joining us for the day, offering private interviews and a Dharma talk.

The registration also provides an opportunity for you to sign up for a particular item for potluck lunch. Please choose one that you’d be happy to bring! 

Looking forward to practicing with you!

Kenko.

May 27 Council Circle

Bodhisattvas!    Fellow Dharma friends!   Dear Sangha community!

Our current Sunday morning lease at the Upstairs Studio completes at the end of the month.  Next Sunday, May 27, marks—for now—the last Oxbow Zen sit at the Upstairs Studio.  Come June the Sunday sit will move to Magna House.

The Upstairs Studio has been the home of our Sunday morning sit for a number of years.  On May 27 we’ll be setting aside some time for sitting in a Council Circle: speaking and listening together from the heart, as this particular outer form of the sitting location changes. Please consider participating, perhaps sharing brief appreciation, anecdotes, feelings, silence, questions, wonderings, …, as each arises in the moment.

Looking forward to coming together in Council!

The Upstairs Studio in Northampton.

Thank you: March Zazenkai

2018 Zazenkai Group Photo
March 2018 Zazenkai with Ryotan Sensei

Dear Oxbow Zen Sangha:

Settling into deep stillness and silence together, sharing potluck oryoki, experiencing the shifting light of the weather and the mind, deep teachings.  Special thanks to all those who braved storm and snow and rain and other hindrances to be part of the March Zazenkai.  Deep gratitude to Ryotan Sensei for his teaching!

 

Zazenkai w/ Ryotan Sensei

Zazenkai with Ryotan Sensei Sep 30 2017

Dear Oxbow Zen Sangha:

We’re excited to announce the dates for a

Spring Zazenkai with
Ryotan Sensei on
Saturday March 3 from
8 AM – 4 PM

at Shokai and Mark’s house in Southampton. Please mark your calendars!

All are welcome to gather for a day of deep practice.

Watch the email list for more information regarding the potluck sign-up and other logistics in early February.

Spring events

Starting in February we will be following this monthly schedule:

1st Sunday – Speaking Sunday (Dharma Talk and Study)
2nd Sunday – Service Sunday
3rd Sunday – Simple Sunday (seated Heart Sutra)
4th Sunday – Service Sunday
5th Sunday – Silent Sunday (no chanting)

Check out the online Calendar to confirm specific events on specific dates.