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Greetings!
"The spring flowers, the moon in autumn, the cool
breezes of summer, the winter's snow; if idle concerns do
not cloud the mind, this is man's happiest season."
Mumon
It's hard to imagine being so free of worries and anxiety.
These days, my life is really hard as we prepare for our
new offerings. It's busy from dawn to
dusk. And yet, there is this Zen practice which has
supported my life all these years.
In Obama's Inaugural Address he suggested we
put aside childish things and he appealed to our
virtue. This word, "virtue" sounds old-
fashioned, even Victorian to our ears. And yet, it is a
word that has many implications in living a Zen-
inspired life. In
Asia, it is
the second character in the Tao Te Ching.
Zen can help all of us become more flexible
and adaptable by transforming our life to be more
virtuous and effective. Zen can help you know how to
make the exception to every rule. It can help you learn
how to fearlessly improvise, according to changing
contexts, and it can help you use your moral skills in
the the pursuit of right
aims.
A Zen-inspired life has to do with a transformation of
your self and your character. You find increasingly an
authentic voice as you align yourself and become
more congruent with your body, mind and heart.
These qualities arise from Zen practice, and a steady,
daily diet of meditation.
Our new, comprehensive curriculum is designed to help
ordinary people like you, find your way in this world of
turmoil, travail, suffering, insecurity and constant change.
Look for our new web site in mid February. We have
many new offerings
and a comprehensive core curriculum that begins in
March. We are eagerly,
but patiently cultivating these many offerings, so you
are likely to find one that meets your needs.
Regardless of the situation or season, living a Zen-
inspired life can be the happiest season of your life.
I hope to see you here soon.
all my blessings and love for the new year,
Joshin Roshi
| Fridays with Roshi: Feb. 19, 7-8:30 pm |
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Joshin Roshi will present a koan or story from the Zen
tradition and facilitate a group discussion that helps each
participant understand the depth of meaning in this story
through their own personal experience.
Roshi is excited about this new way of teaching and feels
it has enormous potential for clarifying and personalizing
Zen practice, making what people often think of as
esoteric and obscure Zen riddles, readily accessible and
understandable to every person present.
Roshi is beginning to mix together various modalities
from Big Mind process and Focusing to facilitate these
sessions.
Come, join the fun and bring a friend!
Cost: $15 for nonmembers. Free for members.
To register, call 708.445.1651 or email info@zlmc.org.
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| Day of Mindfulness: Feb. 20th |
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The levels of anxiety and stress continue to run high in
our culture at the present time. Life seems increasingly
pressured and complex, as we seek to negotiate our
way in a world that often seems to be falling apart
beneath our feet. Mindfulness meditation can help
restore your order and balance. It's easy and anyone
can do it, regardless of faith, religion or belief.
Join us for a healing day of mindful meditation to restore
your peace of mind, improve your mental health and
strengthen your physical well-being.
The day will include meditation, (both seated and
walking), a dharma talk by Joshin Roshi, optional
dokusan (private interviews with teacher), light body work
(stretching and/or yoga) and a delicious lunch.
Register by calling 708.445.1651 or email us at
info@zlmc.org
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| First Core Curriculum Class, March 2nd, 7:00-8:30 pm |
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Our beginning Primer classes have been postponed until
the month of March. The first class, Primer 1: Living a
Zen-inspired Life, will begin on Tuesday
evening, March 2nd. at 7:00 pm.
Please make a note on
your calendar, and plan to attend this important first class
that promises to open a whole new way of approaching
Zen practice from a western perspective.
Cost: $20/class.
To register, call 708.445.1651 or email info@zlmc.org.
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| Meditation Schedule |
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Our new meditation schedule for 2010 will provide
organized meditation on Tuesday and Thursdays from
6:00 to 7:00 pm. We will also offer what we are calling
free-style meditation Monday thru Friday mornings from
6:00 to 7:00 am.
Organized meditation is structured in set meditation
times of 20 to 25 minutes with walking meditation in
between. Free-style meditation is a time when you can
sit as short or as long as you want. There are no bells
or organized procedures, so you can do whatever you
want, as long as you are mindful and thoughtful about
those around you.
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| Two Day Residential Meditation Retreat - Mar. 5-7 |
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We will hold a two day residential meditation retreat
beginning
Friday, Jan. 29th at 7:00 pm and finishing at 12:00 noon
on Sunday, Jan. 31st.
The retreat will include intensive meditation practice,
services, dokusan (private interview with Roshi),
interviews with Ryushin, practice of immediacy, council
circle and body work.
Cost: $150/$100 for ZLMC members. T
To register please
call 708.445.1651 or email info@zlmc.org. All
registrations for retreat must be received by January
25th.
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| Our New Website |
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Our new website is almost ready for prime time. We hope
to have it up by the middle of February. When it is
up, we'll send all of you a special notice.
Thank you for you patience as we move through this
complex transition.
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| Support the Zen Life & Meditation Center |
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We are grateful for all of you who have continued to
support
us and believe in what we are doing. These have been
challenging times, and we need your continued support
so please consider giving a gift to our Zen Center today.
Online contributions may be done through
PayPal. If
mailing a check, please make it out to the "Zen
Life & Meditation Center" and send to 163 N.
Humphrey
Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302.
The Zen Life & Meditation Center is a 501 (c)(3)
non-profit organization so your donation is
fully tax
deductible.
$
USD
Learn More
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Western Zen Workshop: Feb. 13, 1-4 pm |
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Joshin Roshi's Zen teachings are rooted in western
psychology, philosophy and science. In this workshop he
will use the Big Mind process. Genpo Roshi, who
developed this process, is a dharma brother of Joshin
Roshi and has given him permission to use and teach
this process.
This workshop will help you:
Explore and discover new aspects of your self.
Clarify your life.
Access profound wisdom in a short period of time.
Integrate self and "no self".
Open to a rich, deep and larger view of your self.
Discover a more compassionate and effective way of
living.
Cost: $35 for nonmembers. $25 for members.
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