October 2026

Photo by Zen Master Jeong Bong

Our lives are filled with endless repetition. Weeding the garden, vacuuming the rug, changing a diaper—no sooner do we finish than it all begins again. It is easy to view these activities as menial chores standing between us and “real” life.

A monk once asked Chao-chou, “I have just entered the monastery. Please teach me, Master.”

Chao-chou said, “Have you had breakfast?”

“Yes, I have,” replied the monk.

“Then,” said Chao-chou, “wash your bowls.” The monk was enlightened.

What happened there? Can we really have an awakening experience while scrubbing bowls?

When we drop our expectations of what a “spiritual moment” should look like, the drudgery disappears because we no longer wish to be anywhere else. As Zen Master Seung Sahn taught: don't check your mind, don't make anything—just do it. When you wash the bowl, there is only the water, the soap, and the bowl. That is everything.

Bob Kutter, Dharma Teacher

Precepts Ceremony Celebrated in August

On August 2, five members of the Blue Heron Zen Community took 5 precepts, and two members took 10 precepts. The ceremony marking their journey on the zen path was attended by family, friends and the sangha.

Teachers and those taking precepts are in the picture above. From the left: Jason Bartlett, Sahara Pirie, JustinMcCormick, Jake Margerum, Paul Gulick JDPSN, Zen Master Jeong Bong, Robert LaBuda, Greg Eisen JDPSN, Melissa Champoux, Ariel Abrahams and Aaron Strong.

If you are interested in learning more about precepts or taking them in the future, you can speak with any of the Blue Heron teachers.

Three-Day Retreat

Friday - Sunday, October 9 - 11: 7am - 4:30pm

Beginning Friday, October 9, we will gather our online and in-person communities for 3 days of group practice, a Dharma talk, and personal Dharma Dialogues with Zen Master Jeong Bong and Paul Gulick, JDPSN.

We welcome you to join us for all or part of the 3-day retreat. 

Click here for more information and registration.

October In-Person Sessions

All in-person practices are open for walk-in attendance (no need to sign up in advance). In-person practice is not streamed, unless otherwise noted.

Weekly Sessions:

• Sunday 10-11:30am (Also streamed online)
• Tuesday 7-8:00pm
• Wednesday 10-11:00am
• Friday 10-11:00am

Newcomer Orientation:

• Sunday 9:30-9:50am

Sunday Morning In-Person Activities: (Online participation is welcome!)

• First Sunday of the month (10/4) — (Dharma Dialogues - in person)
• Second Sunday of the month (10/11) — Special Chanting (more info here) during the retreat
• Third Sunday of the month (10/18) — Dharma Talk
• Fourth Sunday of the month (10/25) — Online Dharma Dialogues

To attend, simply show up 5 to 10 minutes before any practice time. The building will be open for those practices. Use the ground floor entrance from the back yard (west side of the building).

Dharma Dialogues

Our senior teachers offer online Dharma Dialogues if you would like to discuss your practice and ask questions. Paul Gulick, JDPSN, and Ann Pepper, JDPSN, also offer optional kong-an exchanges. Please get in touch with them individually to schedule an appointment if you would like a one-on-one Zoom meeting.

• Greg Eisen, JDPSN eisengn@gmail.com
• Paul Gulick, JDPSN paul@blueheronzen.org
• Ann Pepper, JDPSN anngoldenwind@outlook.com
• John Craycraft, SDT johnc@blueheronzen.org
• Jim Peacey, SDT jim@blueheronzen.org

Special Chanting Requests

Once a month, we set aside time in our Sunday practice to express compassion for anyone who is suffering (Kwan Seum Bosal chanting) or recently deceased (Ji Jang Bosal chanting). We invite you to register the names of loved ones for either chant. We will recite the names when we do special chanting.