Ongoing Events
Newcomer Orientation: 2nd Monday of the month, CC Shove Chapel, Dharma Hall upstairs at 5:45 pm to meet anyone who would like some orientation to meditation, to our tradition, or to our sangha and customs.
5:15 Dharma Study and Discussion before Monday’s meditation, with Sarah Bender Sensei: Shove Chapel Downstairs, from the north entrance. Topics are variable. Sometimes we discuss a reading; sometimes we discuss a question or observation someone brings. Come on down and check it out. Dharma discussion continues to focus on readings from John Tarrant’s book about koans, “Bring Me the Rhinoceros.” Selections will be provided, and it isn’t necessary to be “caught up” on the readings. Anyone is welcome to join in.
Zen Threads: Zen Threads remains on extended Summer vacation through October. Next one will be Nov. 5th Meanwhile, once our nomadic Dharma hall is packed away on Saturday mornings, some of us often go to Wooglins for breakfast and conversation.
Dharma Talks:
October 17 Sarah Bender, Sensei
October 24 Andrew Palmer, Sensei
Work in the Room: Saturday morning, October 15th 6:30 to 8:30 AM with Andrew Palmer, Sensei
Individual meetings with a teacher, which we call “Work in the room,” are opportunities to sit face to face and take up what is most alive for you.
For a Saturday morning conversation, you’ll have up to 20 minutes. You’ll go downstairs and the teacher will be waiting there for a private conversation.
This is a chance to ask questions about your meditation practice, to ask for instruction, to explore an experience you’ve had, to investigate how your practice looks as it gets up off the cushion and travels through your day and night…..to wake up to this very life of your own.
You don’t have to have formed an individual student-teacher commitment to do this. Everyone is welcome.
This said, it is also possible to form an individual student-teacher relationship, and these can be very powerful in nourishing our practice. Ask a teacher if you’d like to know more about this.
To schedule an appointment for October 15th, please contact Andrew Palmer (alpsensei@gmail.com)
You can also make an appointment to meet with
Andrew (alpsensei@gmail.com) or
Sarah (sembender@gmail.com) at another time.
Buddhism and the 12 Steps
When: Wednesday evenings 7:00-8:30
Where: 417 Prairie Rd. CSC 80909 Parking on the side off St. Vrain and in front of house. For more information contact: Jacque Minehart jqminehart@yahoo.com
OCTOBER
KOANS in Community with Sarah Bender, Sensei
Autumn Koan Meditation Series
Sundays, 3 to 5 PM
Creek Bend Zendo: 7528 Jenkin Place
October 2, 9, 16 and 30 and November 6
Koans!
They can be mind sweepers; they can be stories or poems that lodge themselves in your heart, working there invisible, in the dark, for your freedom; they are, as Joan Sutherland says, “shards of the light;” and at times they act like black holes that seem to annihilate everything, only to open into another universe, which is this one.
Sometimes they are the gentle, or the harsh, or the puzzling teacher who reaches you from another time….and in this one. And in all cases, they are made for the sole purpose of waking us to the unfathomable wonder of this very life, the weird and unmanageable one we are living.
So….come and explore this territory in community with others. No previous experience with Zen or koans is required.
Suggested donation, $10 but no one is watching….any offering is welcomed.
If you’d like a sample of how four teachers inquired into one koan with a group over the course of a week, here’s a link to the talks from our Open Source Summer 2016 retreat:
http://www.bowandroar.com/talks-from-16-bodhisattvas.html
And here’s the most recent talk by Sarah Bender, Sensei at Springs Mountain Sangha
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/i2cihC1B5jNP7F218QOKOvBMHuuUE90j4XNh06dDXGZ?_encoding=UTF8&mgh=1&ref_=cd_ph_share_link_copy
for more information, contact Sarah at sembender@gmail.com
A breakfast for young members of Springs Mountain Sangha
Saturday, October 8
9:00 to 11:00 AM
in Sacred Grounds ( lower level of Shove Chapel)
Come together to generate ideas and explore —-what intrigues you? Where would you like to take this sangha? There are enough of you now to have a strong role in shaping this community.
Want to be part of this?
Contact Robert King: kingrh5722@ gmail.com
Landing Here
An exploration of Zen Meditation
With Sarah Bender, Sensei
Sunday, October 9, 2016
9:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Shove Chapel, lower level
Zen begins with stopping—something we don’t allow ourselves to do so often!
When you get still and quiet, you can find yourself landing right in the middle,
Meeting life in a wide field of warm interest—and trusting the encounter.
The day will include sitting and walking meditation, an introduction to Zen Buddhism, conversation, tea and snacks.
To register or for more information, Please contact Sarah Bender: sembender@gmail.com
SMS Fall Residential Retreat
Teacher: Sarah Bender, Sensei
When
Wednesday, October 19 to Sunday, October 23
Where
The Abbey at Canon City
Cost
$450 Full-time registration
$100/day, Part-time registration
DEPOSIT: $150, due Sunday, October 9
Financial assistance is available.
Registrar
Steve Milligan, steve_milligan08@comcast.net.
719-633-5925
Click here for registration form.
Looking Ahead
November 13 –
All Sangha Meeting
4-7 P.M. Location TBD
This is an annual event where we gather for a shared meal and conversation about our feelings and aspirations for Springs Mountain Sangha. We also elect a steering committee and approve a budget for the coming year. You will get a preview on Community Night, October 10. Come then and share any thoughts you have about what you’d like discussed at the All Sangha Meeting.
December 10 –
One-Day Meditation
This is the time of year when Buddhists around the world traditionally honor the Buddha’s awakening. Plan to join us for a day of quiet meditation and reflection. Information about time and location will be included in the next newsletter.
Opportunities for Engagement
In the wider community (not sponsored by SMS)
Mindfulness Classes For Youth
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the development of awareness in relation to our bodies, emotions, and thoughts. It is about how we experience ourselves, others and the world around us. It is not aimed at inputing any particular content, but rather at helping us to notice what is already present so we know how it is affecting us. With Mindfulness, we can increase our ability to respond appropriately in any given situation.
When: Saturdays October 15-December 10th
1-2 P.M: ages 5-9
2-3 P.M. ages 10 and above
Where: West side Community Center
Free orientation session on Saturday, October 8th, 2-3 pm
For more Information follow this link.
or contact Ayya: dhammadhira@gmail.com
Housing Wanted
“Buddhist nun seeking a simple lodging, one room “granny flat” or basement with separate entrance. She is only able to afford a small amount of rent. She wishes to be of service in community and is willing to help with some tasks around the house/garden for reduced rent. House sit of a couple months or more would be considered. Please contact Ayya at dhammadhira@gmail.com if you know of any situation that would be conducive. Thank you.”