( photo: Honeysuckle, by John Harder )
On Zen and Springs Mountain Sangha
This was a brief talk that Steve Milligan, our steering committee chairperson, gave on the Buddha’s Birthday Celebration June 2nd. Enjoy!
Zen is a word that has undergone many transformations along with the forms and practices which comprise it. It comes from the Sanskrit word dhyana, which basically means meditation. Buddhism, in general, and Zen, in particular, tended to move from India to the east. When it got to China, Dhyana became Chan, and when it settled in Japan, Chan became Zen. As it traveled, it took on the cultural trappings of its new home and shed some of the cultural distinctions of its former home. Although it has retained its Japanese name, it has moved to Europe and America and it has, inevitably, made accommodations to these cultures, and continues to do so. The essence of the practice, however, remains unchanged. Both as individuals and as a community, we continue to experience the transformative powers of the silence of deep meditation. While our various activities constitute the body of our practice, meditation constitutes the heart of our practice.
Meditation has been in the news a lot of late and many of its benefits have been touted: deep relaxation, inner peace, more energy, better health. A lot of our brothers and sisters have mentioned this, but that is not why we practice. To quote, or better, paraphrase the great Tom Robbins, practicing meditation for these reasons “would be like using the Hope Diamond to scratch your grocery list onto your bathroom mirror”.
If you read many of the Buddhist magazines, you could be forgiven for thinking that our product is happiness. Truth be told, we don’t really have a product, but we are engaged in inquiry. We engage in an inquiry into the nature of freedom, which, by a happy coincidence, turns out to be our own nature. Those of us who have discovered the fruits of this practice don’t seem very keen to give it up.
If you would like to join us, I think you would find us to be a warm and open, and perhaps even a loving community.
Thank you
Sangha Communications
A request: We are in need of a person willing to post our mail chimps and important notices onto our website, keeping it current. After training with Frank Actis it would take on the average an hour a week. Frank will be available for assistance as well. If you are interested, please contact Frank @ Frank.Actis@netscout.com
thank you!
Ongoing
5:15 Dharma study and discussion before Monday night meditation.
These discussions, facilitated by Sarah Bender and sangha members, focus on supporting an ongoing practice in all of its aspects. Anyone is welcome to join in. This Summer, we are exploring elements of our liturgy and of our Bodhisattva Vows and precepts.
You are welcome to join in on any Monday.
Place: Shove Chapel downstairs from the north entrance.
contact: Kelly McFarland S.Kelly.HLS@gmail.com
Monday Sutra Service (1st Monday) and Monday Community Night (2nd Monday) will continue with a series of brief teachings by Sarah. Please see link for more informationhttps://gallery.mailchimp.com/bbc7215f79587650dd5f75ed6/files/45a69aa0-e7b2-4f09-8a77-ee0c2ec86f3e/The_Practice_of_Refuge_words_for_Feb._12_announcement.doc
JUNE!
Normally this note would be included in the Many Arms of Guanyin section….but since so many of us feel very strongly about this matter, and since the event happens so soon, we are passing it along here.
Families Belong Together National Day of Action – COS
Despite recent legislation, rallies are continuing throughout the country. This is our rally in Colorado Springs.
Donald Trump and his administration are cruelly separating children from their families. But we won’t allow it to continue. On June 30, we’re rallying in Washington, D.C., and around the country to tell Donald Trump and his administration to stop separating kids from their parents!
Join us on June 30 to send a clear message to Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress: Families Belong Together!
When:
Saturday, June 30 at 5 p.m. (local time)
Where:
Colorado Springs City Hall
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
JULY
Simple Sit
Saturday July 7th, Simple Sit, 2525 W Pikes Peak, Suite A
SMS will host a simple sit at Rocky Mountain Insight from 9-12.
You are welcome to join us at any half-hour interval and stay as long as you’d like. More details will be forthcoming.
Contact: Linda Hodges, hikerhodges@gmail.com
July 14 Work in the Room with Sarah Bender (to schedule, email Sarah at sembender@gmail.com
“Work in the Room” is a conversation with a zen teacher about the Way, your practice and whatever touches on it (and what doesn’t?), in a face to face, simple form that invites the space of mutual inquiry to light up. For the early morning Saturday meditation, 20 minute conversations are scheduled. It’s also possible to schedule conversations at other times, with Sarah or with Andrew Palmer, Sensei (alpalmer128@gmail.com)
July 14 Precepts practice
July 15 Social Event with Wet Mountain Sangha at Creek Bend Zendo
SMS/WMS Gathering!
All are welcome as we gather with our Wet Mountain Sangha brothers and sisters, family and friends, for a time of community, conversation, music and laughter. Bring your potluck item, creek shoes, lawn chair, and any instrument you might have, and prepare to make new acquaintances and visit with long-time friends.
Date: Sunday July 15th
Time: 3:00 – 6:00 pm
Location: Creek Bend Zendo
7528 Jenkin Place, Colorado Springs
Vegetarian Alphabet Potluck
Please bring a vegetarian dish to share that corresponds with the first letter of your last name.
A-I = salad, appetizers
J-S = entrees, sides, veggies
T-Z = desserts
July 16 Dharma Talk with Sarah Bender
July 23 Dharma Talk with Andrew Palmer
Springs Mountain Sangha
(2nd annual)
Summer Camping Retreat
Springer Gulch CG at Eleven Mile Canyon
July 21-22, 2018
Details are in the registration form! We are excited about this dimension to our sangha life! You will see in the form that this is neither gear needing or strenuous. It is an opportunity to be in nature together.
Please contact Brandy Lancaster at bdl0824@gmail.com or
Camilla Fuller at camillafuller4@gmail.com for details.
Registration Form :https://gallery.mailchimp.com/bbc7215f79587650dd5f75ed6/files/45f78468-00a3-439a-bbb8-77a014159deb/Camping_Retreat_Reg_Form_2018.doc
SMS Action July Event
Zac Chapman is involved in organizing a weekend of Interfaith Peace Service. Events during this weekend, to be entitled “From Warfare to Common Shares” will include poetry readings, panels, flash mobs, and community meals. We also intend to have an interfaith peace service at Relevant Word Ministries on Friday, July 27th at 5PM
Looking Ahead
Sarah Bender will be away for her annual pilgrimage to the sea, July 18 to Sept. 14. As you can see, things here will be lively in her absence! And Sarah will stay in touch. If you would like to set up a work on the phone appointment during this period, please email Sarah at sembender@gmail.com.
Springs Mountain Sangha 2018 Retreat and Events Calendar
AUGUST
August 7 through September 11 (Tuesdays): Book Study Ending the Pursuit of Happiness: A Zen Guide, by Barry Magid. Facilitators: Steve Milligan, Liz Cramer, Meredith Willig.
Time: 10:30 to 12:00
Place: TBD
August 19 Hike (Catamount) contact Liz Cramer elizabeth.cramer51@gmail.com
August 9-12 Wet Mountain Sangha Summer Retreat (see below)
SEPTEMBER
September 15, 22, 29 Precepts Practice will begin again at Creek Bend Zendo from 10:00 to 12:00.
Sept. 21, 22 Introduction to Zen
Details To Be Announced
Sunday, September 30 Fall Koan Series begins:
3:00 to 5:00 PM
Creek Bend Zendo with Sarah Bender
OCTOBER
October 6, 13 Precepts Practice
October 7, 14 Fall Koan Series with Sarah Bender continues
October 22-28 Meditation Retreat at the Abbey Canon City, CO
with Sarah Bender, Roshi
contact: Brandy Lancaster BDL0824@gmail.com
NOVEMBER
Nov 11 All-sanhga meeting, 4:00 to 7:00 PM
November 4, 18 Fall Koan Series continues
DECEMBER
Dec 7-8 Bodhi Day retreat with Sarah Bender
The Many Arms of Guanyin
SMS ACTION
And to help identify sangha members interests: link to survey – https://goo.gl/forms/EYUpnKv5tDro4ZC02
WET MOUNTAIN SANGHA SUMMER RETREAT
Wet Mountain Sangha is hosting a long Retreat August 9-12 at the Pueblo Mountain Park in Beulah, CO. This is a residential Retreat with Andrew Palmer as Sensei. The Retreat will begin Thursday evening and end Sunday mid-day. This Retreat provides an inexpensive opportunity to sit in meditation for several days with a community in the beauty of the Wet Mountains. The cost of the Retreat is estimated to be @ $140, and the room and meals are estimated to range from $195-$274, with a dorm room being the cheapest option. Scholarships are available. July 6th will be the deadline for registering, but more information will be sent to you soon. The purpose of this e-mail is to remind you to SAVE THE DATE for the wonderful experience of participating in this opportunity to sink deeply into your practice August 9-12.
Please see this flyer for more information: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/bbc7215f79587650dd5f75ed6/images/d632f5e6-0230-458f-9478-384fcd4542d0.png
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