January 2018
Dear Sangha,
It has always struck me as a little odd, to pick a day and call it the new year. The trees outside our window, the dog asleep in the hall and the dust mites gathered into corners – they have no such notion of differentiation.
And yet we humans are likely to pause at this time of year and consider the view from here. The year that has passed, and the year to come. What is near seems to be looming and large. What is distant appears to be washed over with the mist of our inventive memories and projections.
But always, present moment reality is intimate and near, extravagantly detailed, vivid and direct! Whether it be marked with difficulties and loss, or success or joy, we have this clarity to celebrate.
May we use it well and wisely this coming year. And however things unfold for us and our fragile world, may we maintain our sense of wonder, spacious enough to take in, as they say, the big picture. What is the big picture?
KATZ!
Yours in the dharma’s great fireworks display,
Jeong Ji
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photo by Eric Nord, JDPSN
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Zen Center to Close Temporarily
Construction continues at the Zen Center! Drywall work and painting are scheduled to begin on the main floor and 2nd floor on
January 2nd. The Zen Center will be closed during this time of work. Stay tuned via the website and emails for a grand re-opening date!
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We're having a Sangha Work Party on
Sunday, December 31st at 10am, directly after 9am practice, to prepare for the drywall and painting work. We'll be packing up the rooms, covering furniture, and taping cupboards with plastic. Hope you can make it - many hands make for light work!
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Kong-An Interviews:
1st Tuesday with Zen Master Jeong Ji: cancelled this month
2nd Sunday with Zen Master Jeong Ji or Eric Nord, JDPSN: cancelled this month
3rd Wednesday with Zen Master Jeong Ji: cancelled this month
3rd Thursday with Eric Nord, JDPSN: January 18 (tentative, if re-opened by this date)
Consulting Interviews: cancelled this month
Special Chanting: cancelled this month
Tacoma Saturday Meditation: Saturday, January 13
Please visit the
website calendar
for complete and current details of these events and for the weekly practice schedule.
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Kyol Che 2018
Tuesday, January 23rd through Tuesday, April 24th
Please join us as we begin our annual Blue Heron Kyol Che. The special nature of Kyol Che is that it offers us an intensive “coming together” practice, when we can re-invigorate our training with the support of our sangha and teachers. The Kyol Che theme is
The View From Here: a look at Korean Zen and its manifestations in the world today.
Check out the
Kyol Che web page to download the Kyol Che contract, and for more information.
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Dharma Talk
Thursday, January 25: 7pm
Please join us for a public dharma talk. Dharma Teacher Chris Chapman will give the introductory talk titled "If mind is body, then is no-mind no-body?", and Eric Nord, JDPSN will answer questions from the audience. Everyone is welcome.
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Three Day Retreat with Eric Nord, JDPSN
Friday - Sunday, January 26-28
Fri-Sat: 6am - 8:30pm
Sun: 6am - 3pm
Join us for the first retreat of Kyol Che. Retreats offer a rare opportunity to let go of the demands of our busy lives and recognize our inherent compassion and wisdom through dedicated Zen training. Each day includes chanting, sitting and walking meditation, work practice, a private kong-an interview and formal vegetarian meals. Here’s more detailed
retreat information and
retreat schedule.
Members: $30 plus dana* per day, Non-members: $40 plus dana* per day.
*dana is a voluntary gratitude to our teacher
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Residential Openings
The Blue Heron Zen Community will have two residential openings starting in February 2018 for students who are serious about their Zen training practice. This is a wonderful opportunity to deepen one's meditation effort by living in our beautiful Zen Center.
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Board Opening
There is a current opening on the Board of Trustees for someone preferably with five precepts. The board meets twice per year, and holds email conversations throughout the year about matters concerning the property and finances of our community. If you are interested in applying to help see the Blue Heron Zen Community continue to thrive in the present and future years, please send a note to Board President and Abbot, Tom Campbell at
[email protected]. You are also welcome to nominate someone to Tom.
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Looking Forward
Fundamentals of Zen, Sunday, February 11
Three Day Retreat with Jeff Tipp, JDPSN: Friday-Sunday, March 9-11
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