Zen practice in the Connecticut River Valley
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.
Study: July 11, 2021, 9:30 am – 11:00 am, The Book of Householder Koans by Eve Myonen Marko and Wendy Egyoku Nakao. We will focus on one koan, Myonen: White Wolf, p. 225. We’ll be exploring various ways to engage with this and other koans. Is there another koan in the same section that resonates with you? If so, go ahead and bookmark the page, as we may explore other koans, time permitting.
Study: June 6, 2021, 9:30 am – 11:00 am, The Book of Householder Koans by Eve Myonen Marko and Wendy Egyoku Nakao. We will focus on one koan, Unripe Fruit (p. 167). We’ll be exploring various ways to engage with this and other koans. Is there another koan that resonates with you? If so, go ahead and bookmark the page, as we may explore other koans, time permitting.
Our study of the Book of Householder Koans has been very rich. Many thanks to everybody for really showing up with openness and vulnerability.
The next study group will be taking place on March 28, 2021 following our usual sit. Kenko suggests we look at the Chapter entitled “Gates of Practice” and the Koan “Shishin: Golden Buddha“. We’ll be exploring various ways to engage with this and other koans in the same chapter. Is there another koan in this chapter that resonates with you? If so, go ahead and bookmark the page, as we may explore other koans, time permitting.
Our next study group will be taking place on February 28, 2021 following our usual sit. Jo-Ei suggests we look at the Chapter entitled “Gates of Practice” and the first Koan “Christina: How pathetic I am“. We’ll be exploring various ways to engage with this and other koans in the same chapter. Is there another koan in this chapter that resonates with you? If so, go ahead and bookmark the page, as we may explore other koans, time permitting.
Our next study group will be taking place on January 24, 2021 following our usual sit. We’ll be looking at “The Book of Householder Koans” by Eve Myonen Marko and Wendy Egyoku Nakao, beginning with the section on Loss, Illness, Old Age and Death and the koan: Karen: The Old Woman Meets a Fish. We’ll be exploring various ways to engage with this and other koans. Is there another koan in this section that resonates with you? If so, go ahead and bookmark the page, as we may explore other koans, time permitting.
Practice at Oxbow Zen continues online. Study will continue on October 25. Several folks also sit with the Village Zendo on some mornings during the week — and the monthly Zazenkais offered by our mothership.
During this beautiful fall season, please also take the opportunity to experience the changing world in your own surroundings. Hugs and warm wishes!
The Oxbow Zen Sangha met for our (masked and distanced) second outdoor event. Zazen, a chanting service, and a long outdoor kinhin period were followed by group study of “White Fragility” and what it might suggest for our practice. Bows to all!