February 2020 Newsletter


For our ongoing schedule please see our website at smszen.org 

January

Saturday, January 25: Lunar New Year Ceremony

February

Saturday, February 1: Zen Threads Talk by Will Holtz
                at 8:00 AM, during the morning meditation at Shove Chapel
Monday, February 3:  Sutra Night

Monday, February 10:  Community Night
Monday February 17:  5:15 “Holding Your Seat” *
Monday, February 17:  Dharma Talk, Sarah Bender
Tuesday, February 18:  6:30-8:30 PM-  Ecodharma Group at Creek Bend
Saturday, February 22:  Work in the Room with Sarah Bender, Roshi
Monday February 24:  Dharma Talk, Andrew Palmer
Friday, February 28-Sunday, March 1:  Lotus in the Fire Integrative Retreat
(Beginning of Winter Practice Period)

January – February

Lunar New Year Ceremony 
Shove Chapel
Sat. Jan 25, 6:30-8:30 AM,
please arrive early to get settled in 

You are invited to bring any statues or other practice objects you’d like to have blessed and rededicated. You’re also invited to bring a poem you’d like to share with others in the time that concludes the ceremony.
(Flowers would be welcomed, too!)
More info here:  https://www.smszen.org/saturday-january-25-2020-lunar-new-year-ceremony/

Foundations of Zen Practice
in the Open Source Koan Zen tradition 
with Sarah Bender, Roshi

Thursday Evenings 7-8:30
January 23 and 30
February 6 and 20
Shove Chapel, Colorado College
for more info, https://www.smszen.org/foundations-of-zen-class-with-sarah-bender/ or contact Sarah at sembender@gmail.com

Streams Make a River
A Winter Sutra Study Series

We are taking up selections from sutras and other writings from different periods in the history of Chan and Zen, meeting them with leisurely, shared inquiry, and wondering: What is most central to our Way? What threads run throughout our history? Where is it taking us, and where are we taking it?
Saturdays, Creek Bend (7528 Jenkin Place, C.S)
10 AM to noon
January 25
February 1, 8 and 22

Weekend Integrative Retreat 
Lotus in the Fire
February 28-March 1, Creek Bend

Registration is now open, $150, Scholarships available
Please contact Regan Arntzen at 719-351-6017 –
rrarntzen@gmail.com – for registration or questions. 
~This retreat is the beginning of our winter practice period~
This is a period when the sangha offers support for members to intensify their commitment to practice in several ways. Feb. 28 to May 10, details to come.

~UPCOMING EVENTS~
MARCH – APRIL

Koan Series
with Sarah Bender, at Creek Bend Zendo
Saturday Mornings 10 to noon
March 7, 14, 21
April 11, 18, 25 
contact: Sarah Bender, sembender@gmail.com

Equinox Ceremony 
Shove Chapel
Mon. March 23

Spring Meditation Retreat 
with Sarah Bender, Roshi
Pueblo Mt. State Park
Beulah, CO

Mark your calendars! more info coming soon
May 6 to 10

*”Holding Your Seat”  has been been formed in response to the All Sangha Meeting’s feedback. This is a time for newcomers to be welcomed and introduced to our tradition including everything from the basic form to questions about our history and lineage. It is also a time for beginning practitioners to check in with questions and discoveries they’ve encountered.

Support for Cloud Dragon

An easy way to support Cloud Dragon, the Joan Sutherland Dharma WorksAmazon shoppers, sign in at smile.amazon.com and choose Cloud Dragon Dharma Works as the charity you would like 0.5% of your purchases to go to. It costs you nothing extra. We’re grateful for your generosity. 

See also Joan Sutherland’s new Patreon site, 
https://www.patreon.com/posts/do-you-trust-yr-31567633
    This is another good way to support Joan’s work and receive fresh teachings from her.

About Dahna

We depend on the generosity of our members to support the work of our sangha. Donations are gratefully received in the Dana bowl in the alcove of the meditation hall in Shove Chapel. Also, everyone is invited to contribute flowers for the altar and cookies for Community Nights.
If you’d like access to our monthly financial reports please contact Brandy at bdl0824@gmail.com


We now accept PayPal donations. You can get to the SMS PayPal link on the SMS web site at: https://www.smszen.org/donate.html or by selecting the donate icon: