Dear YUZ,I'm delighted to write to you again after six months away. We will meet tomorrow (Tuesday) night at 7:15 PM in the Buddha Hall at 300 Page St. You're more than welcome to come a few minutes early to help set up. We will sit Zazen and discuss this:Self, One Self, Not-SelfIt sure seems like I have a self--an agent of action, one who makes choices, does work, gives gifts, harms others, apologizes... So what do we make of this teaching of No Self of not-self? If Zen says I don't have a self, how could my life possibly work out? Let's take a clear-eyed look at some teachings on not-self to bring this liberating view to life, without the confusion.I hope to see you there.Warm bows,Kodo--https://www.kodoconlin.com/
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Note to Self
On this anniversary of when I first came to practice, I’ll share some of the choices I’m glad I made—and a few things I wish I had paid closer attention to. Think of it as a reflection for my younger self, and maybe for anyone else finding their way into practice.Warm bow,Eli
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The Somatics of Meditation Practice Can Help Us In Our Stressful Busy Lives
We will have our usual Tuesday 7:15pm YUZ gathering tomorrow in the Buddha Hall, entrance 300 Page Street.Tonight we’ll have a new speaker, Rev. Shosan Victor Austin, a senior priest at City Center who will be speaking about how the somatics of meditation practice can help us in our stressful busy lives. We hope to see you all tonight and note you’re welcome for dinner which will be served at 6:30pm. Please come early if you can to help set up and settle in.Warm regards,Kōgetsu
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Mistakes
Kōgetsu Mok talks about the koan of our lives as we meet impossible situations, difficult conversations, the mountains of uncertainty, and challenging times. How can Zen practice help train us to meet these moments with better self-awareness, skillful action, grace, and integrity? Can we be kind to ourselves in the process, forgive the mistakes of others and ourselves, and see that the mess is beautiful and wholly included in practice?
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Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional
Michael McCord references a quote by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami: "Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional." This is very much in alignment with the basic noble truths of Zen and yet can be so elusive in the moments we inhabit.How do we live into a future where we hold the discomforts, annoyances, turmoil and pain of our existence in altogether different way? What can I do today or tomorrow?
Young Urban Zen is a group under the auspices of the San Francisco Zen Center, with a particular focus on those between 20 and 40. It meets on Tuesday evenings for meditation and discussion about Zen practice. People of all experience levels are welcome.
Netherlands