November 2023

Dear Friends,

There is a story from the Blue Cliff Record in which a student asks the Buddha for guidance. In response, it is said that the Buddha rested in stillness and totality for some time, spine straight, gaze soft and open. After a while, the student then praised the Buddha, bowed and said, “Buddha, your compassion has opened my mind and taken away my cloud of ignorance.”

Recently I’ve found myself deeply moved by this unusual exchange. Can we meet the moment with this kind of courage? Can we reside in openness in the midst of confusion, crisis, and conflict? This stillness is so very interesting in that it has the quality of vast, borderless space…and also the quality of an exceptionally intimate space. A space in which you and I can live together, however briefly, in peace.

Yours in the refuge of dharma,

Jeong Ji

Photo by Zen Master Jeong Bong

November 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

Sessions with Special Chanting:

• Sunday, November 5 10am

Sessions with a Dharma Talk:

• Sunday, November 19 10am

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 by Tuesday, November 28.

To Join Online: join our usual Zoom meeting up to 10 minutes before the retreat starts each day at 7am. The Zoom details are: Meeting ID: 228 228 1938, Password: 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.

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

Buddha's Enlightenment Day: December 3