“Every morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.”
….Buddha
December Retreat with David Weinstein
There is a December retreat at the Abbey in Canon City, led by David Weinstein, Roshi, December 4-8.
Cost: $450, or $90 per day for part time attendees.
Evening talks are free and all are welcome to attend. Please arrive by 7:00 pm if possible, so that you can join in a period of meditation. If that is not possible, come when you can. Talks will start at 7:30 pm and we welcome you to stay for the whole evening, which ends at 9:00 pm.
We will be in the Sister’s House at the Abbey at Canon City. As you drive in, stay to the right and drive to the very end of the parking lots. The Sister’s House is the Tudor-style building right behind the hedge. You’ll enter at the south end of the building.
For registration or more information please contact Steve Milligan.
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Date/Time: December 4 -8 (see times above).
Location: The Abbey at Canon City.
Wayfaring Mind Evening
Join us for an evening of conversation about our lives in the Way, on December 30th following meditation.
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Date/Time: December 30, regular Monday Meditation.
Location: Shove Chapel Dharma Hall (main level).
Dharma Study and Discussion
Join us for study and discussion each Monday in December with Sarah Bender, Sensei and Andrew Palmer, Sensei.
We’re taking up the broad subject, “What is Zen?” and topics for December are:
- Dec. 2–Ethical practice: Why do we study and practice precepts and formally take refuge the way we do?
- Dec. 9–Awakening, enlightenment, endarkenment, realization……what are these terms and why are they so central in our discussions of Zen practice?
- Dec. 16– Creativity: What’s characteristic of Zen creativity? Is there even such a thing?
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Time: 5:15 – 6 pm (please arrive on time if you can, but join us late if you can’t)
Location: Shove Chapel Dharma Hall (main level)
Work in the Room (WITR)
Andrew Palmer will offer WITR this month on Saturday, Dec. 21 during our 6:30 to 8:30 AM meditation. Our Saturday Work in the Room is a 20-minute appointment to meet with the teacher individually regarding your practice or any questions. To make an appointment, please contact Liz Cramer.
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New Year’s Eve
Join us for meditation 9:00 PM to 12:00 AM (2014!), at which time we will ring in the New Year with 108 bells, celebrate and share refreshments.
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Date: December 31
Time: 9:00 pm – 12:00 am
Location: Creek Bend Zendo, 7528 Jenkin Place, Colorado Springs
Newcomer Orientation
Monday, December 9th at the Shove Chapel Dharma Hall (main level). This is for anyone who would like a brief orientation to meditation, our tradition, or our Sangha and customs. Following the orientation, you’re invited to join us for meditation at 6:10 pm.
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Time: 5:40 pm
Location: Shove Chapel Dharma Hall (main level)
Dharma Talks
Join us for Dharma talks on Monday, December 16th with Sarah Bender, Sensei, and on Monday, December 23rd with Andrew Palmer, Sensei during our regular Monday-night meditation.
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Time: Meditation at 6:10 pm; Dharma Talk starts about 6:45
Location: Shove Chapel (downstairs).
Next Steering Committee (SC) Meeting
The next SC meeting is Tuesday, December 10, 6:30 at Liz Cramer’s house. Please contact Liz for information or questions..
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Date/Time: December 10th, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: ???.
Christmas Day
We will not meet for meditation on Wed., Dec. 25.
Looking Ahead…
January
Koan Study in Community with Sarah Bender, Sensei
All are welcome. No previous experience with koans is necessary.
Suggested Donation: $10 per session
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Dates: Sundays, Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Location: Creek Bend Zendo, 7528 Jenkin Place, Colorado Springs
Introduction to Zen:
Saturday, January 18, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Place TBA
Weekend Retreat with Sarah Bender, Sensei: Which is the True Qian?
Fri. evening, Feb. 7 and Saturday, Feb. 8
Feb-March:
- Sutra Study with Sarah Bender, Sensei: Wed. eve., 6:30 to 8:30 Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26 ; and Mar. 2, 9 at the Creek Bend Zendo
- Spring Meditation Retreat with Sarah Bender, Sensei, Mar. 31 to April 6 at the Abbey in Canon City
Spring Koan Series: April 13, 20, 27; May 4, 11
July Meditation Retreat, details TBA
Fall Meditation Retreat, October 15 to 19 at the Abbey at Canon City
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Photo Credits: By Seattle Municipal Archives (Flickr: Luminaria at Lake Washington, 2002) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons