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Greetings!
It has been a mild winter so far here in Chicago. I have spent
my holiday taking care of my health, curbing my appetite
and walking 3 to 5 miles every day. I often walk on a track at
the local highschool and I enjoy watching kids play
football, soccer and baseball on the school field that would
normally be covered in snow this time of year.
I have also spent much of my holiday reflecting on the nature
of war and how our Zen practice might more effectively
contribute to the healing of our veterans who are returning
from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Zen Community's regular schedule will resume with
Tuesday morning zazen on January 9th. I look forward to
practicing with many of you in this coming year.
June and I have have enjoyed our holiday together, reflecting
on our lives and our good fortune. We are grateful for all our
friends and family and send all of you our warmest wishes for
the new year.
Joshin Sensei
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The Zen Community of Oak Park is a Welcoming Community for Veterans and their families
Inner Disarmament Four-Part Series at Unity Temple, Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29; 7-9 pm
Inner Disarmament Four Part Series at Hinsdale Unitarian, Sundays, Jan 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11 from 1 to 3 pm
Sunday Worship and Fellowship
Samu Work Practice, Friday, Jan. 19: 7 to 9 pm
Diversity Practice Circle, Friday, Jan. 26: 7-9 pm
"Ascending the Mountain" for Roshi Jikyo's Abbess Installation Ceremony
Dharma Talk by Robert Joshin Althouse "Warriorship"
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| Inner Disarmament Four-Part Series at Unity Temple, Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29; 7-9 pm |
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Joshin Sensei will lead a four-part series of Inner
Disarmament classes at Unity Temple in Oak Park on Monday
evenings from 7 to 9 pm beginning January 8. (Jan. 8, 15, 21,
28).
The classes will cover the four steps of Nonviolent
Communication, the Three Tenets of a Peacemaker, training in
empathic listening and many exercises and role plays.
The series cost is $60/$50 for Unity members. $20 per class/
$16/class for Unity members.
Register online or call ZCOP office at 708.445.1651
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| Inner Disarmament Four Part Series at Hinsdale Unitarian, Sundays, Jan 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11 from 1 to 3 pm |
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Joshin Sensei will lead another four-part series of classes on
Inner Disarmament at the Hinsdale Unitarian Universalist
Church on Sunday afternoons from 1 to 3 pm, beginning Jan. 21
(Jan 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11)
The course covers the same material as the series at Unity
Temple and is the same cost.
Register online or call ZCOP office at 708.445.1651
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| Sunday Worship and Fellowship |
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Beginning January, 14th, from 9 to 11 am, the Zen Community
will begin a regular Sunday morning program that will include
zazen, a service and a dharma talk. The program will be
followed by a time for fellowship. This will continue every
Sunday, accept when there is a sesshin retreat or weekend
workshop.
A dana donation is appreciated.
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| Samu Work Practice, Friday, Jan. 19: 7 to 9 pm |
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The Zen Community invites you to support the
community by doing samu work practice to clean the temple
building and grounds. We will do this work practice from now
on, once or twice a month. Such work practice is an integral
part of our Zen training so we encourage everyone to come and
participate.
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| Diversity Practice Circle, Friday, Jan. 26: 7-9 pm |
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A diversity practice circle will meet at the Zen Community on
Friday, Jan. 26 from 7 to 9 pm. This circle will focus on issues
of diversity and how they relate to our Zen practice. Everyone
is welcome.
A dana donation of $5 is suggested.
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| "Ascending the Mountain" for Roshi Jikyo's Abbess Installation Ceremony |
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Joshin Sensei's teacher, Roshi Nicolee Jikyo McMahon received
Abbess Installation in the "Ascending the Mountain" ceremony
lead by Genpo Roshi on October 27, 2006 at the Three
Treasures Zen Community in San Diego, California.
We send our congratulations to Jikyo Roshi and to Genpo Roshi
for this historic Shinsanshiki ceremony.
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| Dharma Talk by Robert Joshin Althouse "Warriorship" |
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"The essence of warriorship, or the essence of human bravery,
is refusing to give up on anyone or anything. We can never say
that we are simply falling to pieces or that anyone else is, and
we can never say that about the world either."
from "Shambhala: the Sacred Path of the Warrior" by Chogyam
Trungpa
When speaking of heroes, we have every right to be cynical.
The heroes we idolize such as Rambo or John Wayne help
perpetuate the illusion of our innocence. Real soldiers have lost
all trace of innocence, so they often feel alienated and
disoriented upon returning to the homeland they fought and
risked their lives to protect.
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| Support the Zen Comunity of Oak Park |
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Make an online contribution today.
The Zen Community of Oak Park is a 501 (c)(3)
non-profit organization so your donation here to the
Zen Community is fully tax deductible
$
USD
Learn More
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The Zen Community of Oak Park is a Welcoming Community for Veterans and their families |
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The Zen Community of Oak Park has become
a "Welcoming Community" to military veterans and their
families. We recognize the deep suffering that many veterans
and their families have gone through, particularly veterans
who are coming home from recent conflicts in Iraq and
Afghanistan. The presence of veterans and their families is a
gift to all of us and we value their experience.
The Zen Community is ready to set up community circles and
specific practices designed to serve the needs of military
veterans and their families. We welcome you to our community
regardless of your faith tradition and express our gratitude for
the service you have given for our country.
More:
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