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Greetings!
I find that people often have exotic ideas about Zen. But the
Buddha's first teaching was
about the truth of suffering. This was not just a gloomy
preoccupation with pain, but a frank acknowledgment of our
human condition.
If we are honest, we have to admit that our life is less than
ideal. So you might take up meditaiton (zazen) as a way
to answer the deeper question about what your life is all
about. Zen is this kind of radical inquiry. It is a courageous,
unconditional willingness to expose yourself, to fearlessly face
your experience and get to the bottom of things.
Approaching Zen in this humble way, we become more
grounded. The simple act of walking can be astonishing. It is
surprising and delightful to discover how much dignity there is
in being simple and open hearted. Perhaps the suffering we
have been avoiding can open a door to our own sanity.
Zazen becomes a further expression of our committment to the
wisdom of no escape. This fearlessness is the basis of true
freedom. For me, this is what Zen practice is about and it is the
way we take the full measure of our lives.
I am so grateful for my Zen practice and the many sanghas
that support me, for my teachers, and for my students. I will
never exhaust this way. I have been fortunate to hear the
dharma in this life time, and I hope you too will
share in this good fortune.
with much care and respect, Joshin Sensei
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Three Day Sesshin, February 16-19
Integral Spiritual Training, Feb. 5, 12, 19
Zen Practice 1: Entering the Way, Sun., Feb. 4
Zen Practice 2: Refining Your Life, Sun., Feb. 25
Samu Work Practice, Friday, Feb. 2: 7 to 8:30 pm
Talk by Margi Gregory, Sunday, Feb. 25th
Sunday Worship and Fellowship continues each Sunday, 9-11 am
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| Integral Spiritual Training, Feb. 5, 12, 19 |
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Joshin Sensei will lead a three-part series of classes on Inegral
Spiritual Studies Monday evenings from 7 to 9 pm. The class
will be based on Ken Wilber's recent book, "Integral
Spirituality."
Mon, Feb. 5: Introducing an Integral Approach: Four
Quadrants - a map that explains both individual and collective,
as well as internal and external modes of knowing.
Mon., Feb. 12: Stages and States, understanding the
relationship of psychological development and spiritual
experience.
Mon. Feb. 19: Spiral Dynamics, a stages model developed by
Don Beck.
The series cost is $60/$30 for ZCOP members. $25 per class/
$15/class for ZCOP members.
Register online or call ZCOP office at 708.445.1651
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| Zen Practice 1: Entering the Way, Sun., Feb. 4 |
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The Zen Community offers a class teaching beginning
meditation from 8 to 9 am on
Sunday morning, Feb. 4. The class is followed by our regular
Sunday program from 9 to 11 am.
Cost is $25
Register online or call ZCOP office at 708.445.1651
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| Zen Practice 2: Refining Your Life, Sun., Feb. 25 |
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The Zen Community offers a one hour class from 8 to 9 am on
Sunday morning, that
provides more information on the nature of Zen training at the
Zen Community of Oak Park. Some topics covered are, the
student-teacher relationship, services, sesshin retreats,
precepts, koan study and zendo procedures.
Zen Practice 1 is a re-requisite. Cost is $25
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| Samu Work Practice, Friday, Feb. 2: 7 to 8:30 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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| Talk by Margi Gregory, Sunday, Feb. 25th |
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Our Sunday, Feb. 25th the morning talk will be given by Margi
Gregory. She will share with us some of the work she is doing
in the Peacemaker Circle. The talk begins at 10 am. A dana
donation is appreciated.
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| Sunday Worship and Fellowship continues each Sunday, 9-11 am |
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Our Sunday morning program continues each Sunday from 9 to
11 am. The program includes a zazen, service and a dharma
talk. It is followed by a fellowship gathering. Everyone is
welcome to join us.
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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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Three Day Sesshin, February 16-19 |
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The Zen Community will host a three-day sesshin that begins
Friday, Feb. 16 at 7:00 pm. Sesshin is a time for intensive zen
practice which includes zazen, services, dharma talks, daisan
interviews with the teacher, and body work. Sesshin is a unique
opportunity to turn inward and renew ourselves.
The sesshin will end on Monday, Feb. 19 at 12 noon. It will be
followed by a Jukai ceremony for Paul Levy at 1:00 pm.
Everyone is invited to witness and celebrate Paul's commitment
to the Buddha-Dharma.
More:
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