MWA Newsletter, Zen, -  Dec 19, 2023

Mountains and Waters Alliance – calendar for 2024

Dear Folks,

You never know when evening sun will light up the sky. It happened tonight, and I offer it to you.

Here’s a calendar for next year’s events. It’s an outline, still subject to change, but pretty close. There’s a link for the January 3 class, because I hope people will sign up for it right now.

A note about fees and donations:

For the first time we’re suggesting fees. Donations were always welcome, yet mostly I earned my living as a psychotherapist, subsidizing the MWA work while leaving little time for preparation, study, and retreat. There are two things:

• First, a rigorous series of short classes in Zen, beginning with some key teachings by founder Dogen. Long ago, I would spend 6 hours preparing for one class. In order to do that again, I am cutting my outside work time.
• Second, I’ve become clear about a vehicle for Mountains and Waters Alliance. It is called Earth Apprentice Training, and will involve both weekend retreats and a series of Saturday afternoons on the land. I’ll write about it later. But it requires study time for myself, reaching out to co-teachers, and inviting people. Most co-teachers will have travel costs. In order to do this for the first time, I am cutting my outside work time. The success of the fundraiser allows a beginning.

For each event, then, there will be a scale of fees: the highest will cover all costs plus support for those who need scholarships. The second will cover costs, including teacher time, prep time, and travel, space use including rental, zoom, utilities, and food. The third is your own choice of fee, down to zero. Each event posting will have the suggested fee structure.

2024 calendar

Daily:

• 6-7 am zazen – without internet, just sitting together in the company of all beings

Weekly:

• Wednesday evenings Zen classes online. Register for individual classes at website.
• Most Saturday afternoons 1-5: Workdays in the spirit of Earth Apprenticeship. Register by phone or email. In warmer weather, but you never know.

January:

• 3, 10, 17: Zen class on Eihei Koso Hotsuganmon, Dogen’s vow as inspiration for our lives.
• 6: dharma talk, Treeleaf Zendo (online only)
• 12-14: closed for personal retreat
• 21: dharma talk, Hokyoji (online only)

February

• 7, 14, 21: online Zen class, Fukanzazengi (a zazen workshop)
• 9-10: evening talk and 1-day sesshin in Duluth, MN with Bluestone Zen Community
• 24: intro to Zen one-day retreat
• 25: optional continuation of intro retreat, with short work practice tapping maple trees

March:

• 7, 14, 21: online Zen class, Genjo Koan (“the matter at hand”) – the whole teaching, in short
• 10: dharma talk at Minnesota Zen Center, in person and online
• 15-17: sesshin (“to settle the mind”) – long quiet time for calming down in stillness
• 24: dharma talk, Hokyoji
• March 29-April 7: Visit to Atlanta, GA

April:

• 6: daylong retreat at Midtown Atlanta Zen
• 7: dharma talk at Red Clay Sangha, in Atlanta
• 3, 10, 17: online Zen class, Bendowa I (wholehearted way) – how to live completely
• 20-21: Earth Apprentice retreat (formerly Land Care)
• 27: Earth Day – community event in Northfield, MN

May:

• 2-11: Shodo attends Genzo-e (daily online classes with Okumura Roshi. Register at Sanshinji.org.)
• 1, 8, 15: online Zen class, Bendowa II (more of the same)
• May 17-19: Earth Apprentice retreat

June:

• 5, 12, 19: online Zen class, Tenzo Kyokun (instructions for the cook), in daily life
• June 21-23: sesshin (“to settle the mind”) – long quiet time for calming down in stillness

July:

• 3, 10, 17: online Zen class (TBD)
• July 19-21: Earth Apprentice retreat

August:

• 7, 14, 21: online Zen class (TBD)
• August 16-18: sesshin (“to settle the mind”) – long quiet time for calming down in stillness

September:

• 4, 11, 18: online Zen class (TBD)
• 14-15: probable wild ricing with Honor the Earth, northern Minnesota
• 21: International Day of Peace – community event in Northfield MN
• 23-26: SZBA – Shodo will attend and present at the Soto Zen Buddhist Association conference.

October:

• 2, 9, 16: online Zen class (TBD)
• October 18-20: sesshin (“to settle the mind”) – long quiet time for calming down in stillness

November:

• 6, 13, 20: online Zen class (TBD)
• (dates TBD) Shodo will attend online Genzo-e, as in May

December:

• 1-8: Rohatsu sesshin, traditional 7 days of silent meditation commemorating Buddha’s enlightenment.
• To be arranged: Dharma talks, retreats, and other events are scheduled from time to time by request. Private interviews can be arranged.

Remember this, as you undoubtedly do:

Let’s call it sadness in Gaza and Israel; and death. Call it controversy, anger and cold hate here in America. It feels to me like the world is breaking apart, and it’s happening most violently in the place many of us call the Holy Land.

If you support a ceasefire, please contact your elected officials about it. If you want to help suffering people in more direct ways, donate to an organization you trust. Perhaps Doctors Without Borders, but there are many good organizations bringing direct help now.

I’ve been chanting for everyone there: the innocent victims, and also for healing the hearts of all those committing evil.

These words are from the Metta Sutta: I offer them for your contemplation or prayer:

May all beings be happy.

May they be joyous and live in safety,

All living beings, whether weak or strong,

In high or middle or low realms of existence.

Small or great, visible or invisible,

Near or far, born or to be born,

May all beings be happy.

Let no one deceive another nor despise any being in any state.

Let none by anger or hatred wish harm to another.

Even as a mother at the risk of her life

Watches over and protects her only child,

So with a boundless mind should one cherish all living things.

Suffusing love over the entire world,

Above, below, and all around, without limit,

So let one cultivate an infinite good will toward the whole world.

Standing or walking, sitting or lying down,

During all one’s waking hours,

Let one practice the way with gratitude.

May you be happy, and at peace. And may you have the peace that comes with doing good.

With love,

Shodo

for Mountains and Waters Alliance