Zen practice in the Connecticut River Valley
[Update Apr 30 2022: Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, we’ve decided it would be prudent and wise to postpone.]
We are excited to welcome Ryotan Roshi back for a full day of intensified Zazenkai practice. Please mark your calendars for Saturday May 21 2022, at our usual Zazenkai location in Southampton. As usual, details and updates will be shared through the email list.
You are invited to participate in the online Village Zendo “Urban Sesshin” from March 16-18. On Saturday March 19, it continues with a full day of Zazenkai practice and culminate in Sunday’s “Shuso Hossen” ceremony. For details and registration, please check the following Village Zendo page.
https://villagezendo.org/events/urban-sesshin-2022/
As of Sunday February 27, given the improving covid situation in our area, Oxbow Zen Sangha will resume sitting in person for people who are vaccinated, boosted, and masked. We will continue to also provide accessibility to the sit via Zoom at the usual link. Any questions? Get in touch via email.
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.