October 2015 Newsletter

Zen Threads:  Saturday October 3rd:  Zen Threads will be given by First Lieutenant Jeff Wagner, USAF. Jeff is a sangha member, a USAFA graduate now working at Shriever Air Force Base.  Here’s what he says:

“I’m a space nerd that occasionally paints, swims, runs, sits, and makes music, but regularly works, eats, drinks, sleeps, and poops. The topic I’d like to discuss is the dialogue inherent in creating art.”

Autumn Meditation Retreat

with Sarah Bender, Sensei

October 14-18

The Abbey at Canon City

Dear Friends,

The Sutra that Vimalakirti Spoke tells of a time when some 32,000 beings go to visit the layman Vimalakirti, a great bodhisattva who was sick. They have a remarkable gathering inside his 10 x 10 foot room, exploring the ways we humans make dualities, and the ways we can resolve or reconcile those dualities so that we can be helpful in the world. And, with the help of Vimalakirti and of the goddess who  has been living there in the 10 x 10 foot room with him, they discover that the key to this pivotal move is a radical, complete inclusiveness: not excluding anything; always finding the field bigger, and the heart big enough to hold our deepest desire—to awaken, for the liberation of all.

Some of you have listened repeatedly to Joan Sutherland’s very powerful series of talks on this sutra.  Meeting them again as I prepare for our Fall retreat, I’m noticing what a perfect description the sutra gives of a retreat. For a time, we go aside together, into a small space from which all the normal furniture has been removed, but in which everything that’s needed is provided. We all come, just as we are. Together, we set down the labor of dividing our lives into piles, and dedicate ourselves to exploring what it’s like being here living a life. What is it like when we allow a lot of room for our deep desire— to awaken so that all may benefit?  When there is really room for that deep yearning to breathe?

This is not so easy, actually, so it’s good we do this together.  Together on the bare ground, we meet this—and the Dharma appears, just as it is.

So this is your invitation. If you’d like to be part of this sort of gathering, meditating together in silence and conversation, in stillness and in motion, come and join us for our Harvest Retreat,October 14-18 at the Abbey, in Canon City.  All you need to bring is your yearning—- for awakening, for the liberation of all.

Registration Deadline:  Oct. 1.

For retreat details, please go to https://www.smszen.org/2015-autumn-meditation-retreat/    

You can contact retreat registrar Steve Milligan at
steve_milligan08@comcast.net or 719 633 5925.
The registration form can be downloaded from this link.

Fall Koan Series
Sunday afternoon koan exploration with Sarah Bender,
Sensei, 3:00 to 5:00 at the Creek Bend Zendo.  

September 27

October 4 and 25

November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 

Zen Koans are expressions of the Way–often questions, stories or poems–that we can meet with the open inquiry of meditative mind, offering ourselves to them fully so that a new, fresh expression of insight can come forth from the meeting.  People often ask, what is a bridge for me from the stillness and clarity of my meditation to my activity in the day-to-day world?  A koan is one such bridge.
All are welcome, no previous experience with koans needed.
Questions?  Contact Sarah at sembender@gmail.com