December 2023

Photo by Zen Master Jeong Bong

Dear Friends,

Tossed about in a whiplash-inducing swirl of events, both personal and global, we look for refuge in stillness. In a calm, clear presence of mind. Where is the dharma, the teaching, in all of this?

The Lotus Sutra says that all dharmas come from complete stillness. What is complete stillness? Where is it? What does stillness look like?

Many, many years ago the wind stirred in the night and blew all our plans away. How will you retrieve them?

These kong-ans are a holiday gift for you. If you can come to the retreat this weekend, let’s open them up together!

Yours in the dharma of wonder,

Jeong Ji

December In-Person Sessions

All in-person practices are open for walk-in attendance (no need to sign up in advance). Attendees are asked to have up-to-date Covid vaccinations and boosters. Masks are optional.

Sessions:

• Sunday 10am-11:30am (Also streamed online)
• Tuesday 7pm (Not streamed)
• Wednesdays at 10am
• Fridays at 10am

Newcomer Orientation:

• Sunday 9:30am

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

2-Day Retreat with Zen Master Jeong Ji

Friday, December 1 - Saturday, December 2

We will gather our online and in-person communities for an immersion in group practice, Dharma talks, and personal Dharma dialogues with Zen Master Jeong Ji.

This retreat will be held in person in the Blue Heron Dharma Room and will be streamed on Zoom. Please register here.

To join online: join our usual Zoom meeting up to 10 minutes before the retreat starts each day at 7am. The Zoom meeting ID is 228 228 1938. The Zoom password is 010801.

To join in person: come to Blue Heron by 6:50am on each day. Attendees should be vaccinated and, optionally, wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask. Those meeting in person will participate in practice from the dharma room. No food will be served; bring a lunch for the lunch break.

More information about the retreat is available here.

The fee for this retreat is $35/day for non-members, $25/day for members. A voluntary gift of dana* to the teacher will be accepted with gratitude.

*dana is a voluntary donation to our teacher.

Buddha's Enlightenment Day

Sunday, December 3: 10am

Please join us in a celebration of Shakyamuni Buddha’s Enlightenment Day on Sunday, December 3. We warmly welcome friends and family members to attend. The ceremony begins at 10am, and will be followed at 11:15am by a Sangha meeting.

Buddha's Enlightenment Day ceremony will also be streamed online. Join our usual Zoom meeting up to 10 minutes before the ceremony begins. The Zoom Meeting ID is 228 228 1938. The Zoom password is 010801.

Dharma Dialogues

Zen Master Jeong Bong and Zen Master Jeong Ji are offering online Dharma Dialogues. Sign up here with Jeong Bong Soen Sa or here with Jeong Ji Soen Sa.

Our Senior Dharma Teachers are offering online Dharma Dialogues if you would like to discuss your practice and any questions you may have. Please get in touch with them individually to schedule an appointment if you would like a one-on-one Zoom meeting.

• Jeff Tipp JDPSN jefftipp@gmail.com
• Greg Eisen eisengn@gmail.com
• Paul Gulick JDPSN paul@blueheronzen.org
• John Craycraft john.craycraft@comcast.net
• Chris Chapman JDPSN chris@blueheronzen.org

Looking Forward

Kyol Che Starts: Sunday, January 21

3 Day Retreat: Friday-Sunday, January 26-28