June 2018 Newsletter

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 Spring, 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 information

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/bbc7215f79587650dd5f75ed6/files/45a69aa0-e7b2-4f09-8a77-ee0c2ec86f3e/The_Practice_of_Refuge_words_for_Feb._12_announcement.doc

             

June 

Precepts Practice Series continues. Saturdays, 10 am to noon
at Creek Bend Zendo, with Sarah Bender
June 2, 16, 23, 30

One of the core practices of Buddhism everywhere is what the poet Gary Snyder has referred to as “cause and effect studies.”  In our tradition, these take several forms. We state our Bodhisattva vows, affirming and strengthening our practice of finding our home in Awakening, the Way and our Companions.  We also study and practice the Buddhist precepts, which take the form of both vow and received wisdom from our ancestors.  When we study these, we can hold our own relationships in the world up next to some teachings about what works and doesn’t work well in our experience as living beings among living beings.  When we do this together, in communal inquiry, a powerful field of encouragement is created.

So every so often, Springs Mountain Sangha offers a series of 8 or more meetings so we can take this study up more intensively.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  Suggested donation is $10 per session, but truly all are welcome, with or without a donation. For more information, please contact Sarah at sembender@gmail.com .

June 16  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)

June 18  Dharma Talk with Sarah Bender

June 24  6:00 PM  Pot Luck and Sutra Sing @ Creek Bend Zendo
Contact Jeff Wagner @ jjusafa23@gmail.com

June 25  Dharma Talk with Andrew Palmer
 

And in the greater community –

Buddha Day Celebration June 2
please open link for more information
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/bbc7215f79587650dd5f75ed6/files/3b974dc3-8624-4ccf-8510-da7e637fd88a/Buddha_Day_Celebration_2.pdf
 

 Looking Ahead

 Springs Mountain Sangha 2018 Retreat and Events Calendar

Car camping retreat in August (probably the 17th).  This year it will be lead by Brandy Lancaster and Camilla Fuller.  We will send out information as we have it.

July

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

 

SMS Action July Event
Mark your calendar!

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  

 

August

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
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 

November 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
June Events
June 2 at 3pm, Womxn’s Liberation Convention @ Bar K
June 12 at 6pm, 3rd Annual The People’s Party @ Denver City Park Pavilion
June 13 at 12pm, Marvel’s “Black Panther” screening with Empowerment Solidarity Network @ PPLD-Sand Creek Library

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.  Contact person: Kerry Kramer kerrymariekramer@aim.com