Classes and Gatherings

SMS Practice via Zoom : Schedule and Corrected Links

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Hello Everyone, 

With considerable help from our member Frank Actis, we are rolling on our new meeting platform, Zoom.  People are seeming really happy to be able to continue to meet in this way. It’s amazing how intimate a space, how tiny and how large, a small screen can be.  We miss being able to be physically together, but conversations are genuine, creative and powerful.  We encourage you to join in!  

You’ll find our schedule on our website, smszen.org, as always, but here’s a brief listing:

THE SCHEDULE

Monday, 5:15 to 6:00 PM        Discussion group, taking up questions relating to our Zen practice as we are living it, day by day.  Everyone is welcome.

Monday, 6:10 to 8 PM        Our usual Monday evening schedule, just that it’s on Zoom. Meditation, talks, conversations, some chanting. 

Wednesday, 6:30 to 7:30 AM     Meditation led by sangha members. You can attend all or come on board around 6:55.  Time for conversation afterwards.

Saturday, 6:30 to 8:30 AM   Like Wednesday, only longer. You can join during the 5 min. before any period, so 6:55, 7:25, 7:55. 

Saturday, 10 AM to noon     Koan Inquiry in community, led by Sarah Bender, Roshi
It’s fine to just join in to any session, but please come at the beginning or a few minutes early. If you want to receive koans ahead of time, email Sarah at sembender@gmail.com 

THE LINKS

To access ZOOM Meditation for Springs Mountain Sangha:

  • Mondays: ZOOM Meeting ID: 159 636 718
    • Computer: https://zoom.us/j/159636718
    • Mobile Phone App: Meeting ID: 159-636-718
    • Telephone: (669) 900-9128 Then enter the Meeting ID: 159 636 718
       
  • Wednesdays: ZOOM Meeting ID: 255-039-257
    • Computer:  https://zoom.us/j/255039257
    • Mobile Phone App: Meeting ID: 255-039-257
    • Telephone: (669) 900-9128 Then enter the Meeting ID: 255-039-257
       
  • Saturdays: ZOOM Meeting ID:  560-994-450
    • Computer: https://zoom.us/j/560994450
    • Mobile Phone App: Meeting ID: 560-994-450
    • Telephone: (669) 900-9128 Then enter the Meeting ID:560-994-450

For those on the phone, you can mute or un-mute yourself by pressing *6

Other online meetings:

  • Monday Evening 5:15 Dharma Discussion Group
    • Computer: https://zoom.us/j/455350335
    • Mobile Phone App: Meeting ID: 455-350-335
    • Telephone: (669) 900-9128 Then enter the Meeting ID: 455-350-335
       
  • EcoDharma Meeting Group:
    • See regular SMS email and Web site postings
       
  • Spring 2020 Koan Series
    • Computer: https://zoom.us/j/803574869
    • Mobile Phone App: Meeting ID:  803-574-869
    • Telephone #669-900-9128 then enter Meeting ID:   803-574-869


It’s recommended that you join the Zoom meeting 10 minutes or so before, so you can get the technical issue out of the way. See below for some hints in using this technology.

Forms: For now, we’ll be following the same forms as we do when sitting at Shove: Sutras/Chants, Sitting, Walking, etc. Just follow the cues as you normally do. To help you with chants, here are two links that you can use for our Sutra Book:

Online, everyone singing at once (with slight, uneven delays) gets pretty ragged, so it’s best if you mute your microphone while singing chants as the leader sings.  We won’t all hear each other, but we’ll hear the leader. 

After the the Four Boundless Vows, there will be time for conversation.  Bringing in a reading or poetry is also very much appreciated!
 

Hints on using ZOOM for our Meditation:

  • A camera isn’t mandatory, or a computer with sound. It’s easy to use your cell phone: just download the Zoom app and type in the meeting number. That said, a computer/laptop with a camera and sound does make the best experience.
  • Sometimes, getting the sound configured on your computer can take some time.
  • At first, join 10-15 minutes beforehand so you have time to dial things in.If you want, here’s a link with information about joining Zoom.
  • While this isn’t a business meeting, it does help to have some hints that will make the technology work easier:
  • With larger groups, it works best if you mute yourself when not talking, and remember to un-mute yourself when you need to speak! Also, keeping your camera on keeps you more engaged and makes it easier for others to listen to you as well.

Thank you for your patience as we work and practice together in this new way! Any detailed questions, please ask Frank Actis: frank.actis@gmail.com