March 2018

Dear Sangha,

In this era of relentless news, we seem to be living a tragic irony: while swallowing up masses of information, we create more of a disconnection from reality. For example, as soon as tragedy strikes, the energy stirred up from the event sets us rushing into knowing (naming a cause and an effect, classifying an event). From there, as quickly as possible, we frame a point of view and then fabricate the solution. This then divides us even further than we were before. We have lost the direct experience, and also the balance and clarity to see our way ahead. And samsara, the endless confrontation of smoke and mirrors is carried forward instead.

Our practice, as I see it, is key to reversing this trend. As simple as it is in its prescription, our practice of attention really must come first. With patience and constancy we need to live the question “what is this?”.
Then compassion naturally arises and it becomes possible to find our fitting function.

One of the most inspiring books I read as a teenager was Rainer Maria Rilke’s Letters To a Young Poet in which he advised his young poet friend,

“…be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves—like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given to you because you would not be able to live them. The point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.”

May that moment of living everything arrive in our hearts right now. May we, each one of us, shine the light inside, see the love and kindness there and take it with us everywhere.

Jeong Ji
photo by Eric Nord, JDPSN
March Events
Kong-An Interviews:

1st Tuesday with Zen Master Jeong Ji: see Kyol Che Schedule

2nd Sunday with Zen Master Jeong Ji or Eric Nord, JDPSN: cancelled due to the retreat

3rd Wednesday with Zen Master Jeong Ji: March 21

3rd Thursday with Eric Nord, JDPSN: March 15

Consulting Interviews: none this month

Special Chanting: Sunday, March 4

Tacoma Saturday Meditation: cancelled due to the retreat

Please visit the  website calendar for complete and current details of these events and for the weekly practice schedule. 
Dharma Talk

Thursday, March 8, 7pm

Please join us for a public dharma talk. Abbot and Senior Dharma Teacher Tom Campbell will give the introductory talk titled "Making your Reality", and Jeff Tipp, JDPSN will answer questions from the audience. Everyone is welcome..
Three Day Retreat with Jeff Tipp, JDPSN

Friday - Sunday, March 9-11
Fri-Sat: 6am - 8:30pm
Sun: 6am - 3pm

Join us for the second 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

Please register online by Tuesday, March 6th.
Fundamentals of Zen

Sunday, March 18: 1pm to 4pm

The Fundamentals of Zen workshop will give you detailed information about how to practice with the body, breath and mind, and introduce you to other practice forms such as chanting, walking meditation and bowing. There is ample opportunity to ask questions and try different techniques. All kinds of body types and physical conditions can access this ancient tradition of meditation. Working with one of our teachers, we help to make it as comfortable and practical as possible. Pre-registration is not necessary.
Prayers at Idris Mosque

On Saturday, March 31st, the BHZC and Idris Mosque have organized a community outreach to attend the evening prayers (Maghrib) at the Idris Mosque ( 1420 NE Northgate Way, Seattle, WA 98125).Everyone is encouraged to attend and bring any interested family, friends, neighbors or co-workers. We will all sit together in the back of the main prayer hall. 

You can either car pool from the Zen Center or meet there. We will be leaving the Zen Center by 7:05 PM as we want go into the Mosque at 7:20. If you don’t car pool just meet by the front door of the Mosque before 7:20 so we can go in together. 

If you attend, please dress modestly (formal attire is not necessary). Hair coverings for women are not required…at other functions some non-Muslims wear them and others do not…it is up to you. All attendees, men and women, will sit together.

There is a beautiful call to prayers before the prayers start at 7:38. The prayers are 15 minutes or so. After the prayers they’d love to answer any questions. Bring your questions!

I hope you can attend this outreach, observe and see for yourself, and show love and kindness to these our neighbors.

Yours in the dharma,
John Craycraft
Residential Openings

The Blue Heron Zen Community has a residential opening 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.

If you, or anyone you know, is interested, please read the residential guidelines and send a note with your interest to Abbot Tom Campbell at info@blueheronzen.org .
Dharma Audio

Please check out a couple new talks by Zen Master Jeong Ji that were added to the website under Teachings - Dharma Audio. You will also find some short talks from after practice.
Looking Forward

Buddha's Birthday, Sunday, April 8

Dharma Talk, Thursday, April 19

Three Day Retreat with Zen Master Jeong Ji: Friday-Sunday, April 20-22