Farm, Zen, -  Sep 14, 2026

September 20 Bonfire and other Events – Mountains and Waters Alliance

Hi folks, here’s a short update on farm activities. Soon I’ll write about teaching and retreat plans in fall and winter.

Bonfire and Potluck:

Sunday afternoon, September 20, at the farm.

We’re having a potluck followed by a bonfire, and you’re invited. Please reply by email so we can be ready for the right number of people.

This has something to do with the fall equinox, much to do with celebrating community and wanting to invite you here again while the weather is beautiful. (If weather is difficult, we can move both food and fire indoors. There’s a small chance of rain, a higher chance of clouds, and likely in the 60’s.)

Officially we open at 4 pm; we’ll eat around 4:30 and start the fire, staying together through the sunset and into early night.  If weather is difficult, food and/or fire may move indoors. If you’d like to come early, either to tour or just hang out with the land and all of us, 3 pm is suggested. (If you’re interested in splitting firewood or moving logs, tell us – no pressure.)

We designed this around the equinox (which is Tuesday), but the end of the bonfire happens to coincide with Yom Kippur, the Jewish holiday of atonement. We might find ourselves in conversation about our lives and intentions, personal and shared, and forgiveness.

Bring a potluck offering if you can; simple is good; we’ll label ingredients because special diets are everywhere.

Look here for directions.  It’s a shared driveway, and we’d like you to know where we are. If you want a more accessible parking spot, just ask, we have a few.

More bonfires

We’re thinking of doing this again on Halloween, October 31, which is a Saturday night. And maybe on winter solstice, maybe on more of the traditional celebration days of the year. (Whose tradition? That’s a conversation.)

Miscellaneous farm things:

Currently we’re working on finishing the garden, preparing for the cold, and also bringing in firewood. If you’re interested in joining for an afternoon or a few hours, contact me directly.  I can make a schedule to encourage small groups. Always with food.

Zen events:

Rohatsu sesshin:

December 1-8 is the traditional long sitting, into the stillness of deep practice. We gather Monday evening, November 30, and end the morning of December 8. I’ll have a registration link later.

I’ll write later about the Wednesday evening study group and my plans for teaching online.

And:

I hope you’ll be voting. Check your registration at www.vote.gov. In Minnesota you can vote early and you can register at the polls.

Warmly,

Shodo

for Mountains and Waters Alliance