November 21, 2014:
Springs Mountain Sangha
December 2014 Calendar
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.
Dharma Study and Discussion: Each Monday 5:15 pm, CC Shove Chapel, Dharma Hall downstairs.
Zen Threads: Note! There will be no Zen Threads in December as we are having the Buddha Wakes Retreat at Creek Bend Zendo
Dharma Talks:
December 15 Sarah Bender, Sensei
December 22 Andrew Palmer, Sensei
Work in the Room: December 20 Andrew Palmer, Sensei.
Steering Committee Meeting: December 9 Contact: Robert King @ kingrh@comcast.net) for updated information
Way Faring Mind Talk: Monday, December 29 Jacque Minehart
Body of the Way Practice Period
We hope you are enjoying your own deepening practice, knowing that others are experimenting with you: What is a practice period? What is yours?
November 29, Saturday
As part of our Body of Awakening practice period, at 8:00 AM Sarah Bender ail lead a period of guided walking meditation – an exploration of this ancient and present, always available practice.
Ongoing Practice of Refuge with Precepts Study: 3rd Session lead by Sarah Bender, Sensei.
December 20, 10 am to noon
Center for Inner Peace, Pueblo
It is still possible to join this group of over 20 people, studying and practicing together. If you would like to join in or would like to receive the mailings for this group, please contact David Cockrell, davidcockrell@comcast.net. We take these up together as ethical inquiry, and as vows.
Work in the Room: Andrew Palmer will offer additional appointment times during the practice period Thursday mornings, 10:30 to 12:30, at his home. alpsensei@gmail.com
Evening Meditation
Tuesday through Friday evenings
Dec. 2-5 6:30-8:30 pm
Creek Bend Zendo, 7528 Jenkin Place
During this last week of our practice period, if you’d like to be able to hold a sense of retreat throughout the week, you are welcome to come and sit with us in the evenings, and then sit at home in the early mornings knowing that your sangha friends will be doing the same. This will be very informal. There will be tea and snacks downstairs, and you can just come and join in the sitting as you are able.
Buddha Wakes: a Bodhi Day Retreat, December 6-7 at the Creek Bend Zendo
Each year we celebrate Shakyamuni’s Enlightenment by joining it: entering into meditation, clearing our eye in the dark and lifting our gaze to greet the Morning Star.
This year we sit together Dec. 6 and on into Dec. 7, ending with brunch. Please contact Steve Milligan, registrar @ steve_milligan08@comcast.net. (Deadline December 1) The retreat registration form can be downloaded from this link.
Looking Ahead
A Simple Sit
Time: 10:00-3:00
Where: The Woman’s Club at CC, 10 Mesa Road
When: January 3, 2015
Every so often, we gather together in community for a day, or part
of a day, simply to sit in meditation together, our basic,
transformational practice. It’s a “bare bones” retreat. Someone keeps time, and we sit in our regular rhythm, 25 min. of seated meditation, 5 min. of walking meditation. Lunch is brown bag, and we eat together in silence and have some break time, between noon and 1:00 pm. You are welcome to come for all or part of the day, and are invited to bring a short reading to share at the beginning of one of the meditation periods.
There is no fee for this; a dana bowel will be available to receive your contributions to the ongoing life of the sangha, with deep gratitude.
Nice way to begin a year together, don’t you think?
Zen Mind Beginners Mind
by Shunryu Suzuki
a book study
When: January 2, 9,16, 23, 30
Time: 10 to 11:30 am
Where: Becky Myers, 2127 N. Nevada
Leader: Clay Taylor @ bluewildrye@gmail.com
all are welcome to attend
The Sayings of Layman P’ang
translated by James Green
a Winter Dharma Study
When: Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
Where: Creek Bend Zendo
Teacher: Sarah Bender, Sensei
This translation has an informative introduction by Jeff Shore, and is a collection of stories and koans involving not only Layman P’ang but also his wife and brilliant daughter. We could spend a good deal more than 6 evenings with this material, and maybe you will; it will serve as powerful and delightful material for our practice. For more information contact Sarah Bender at sembender@gmail.com
And, of course, all are welcome to attend!