October 2023

Dear Friends,

Like travelers just setting out, driven half-mad 

by the impending unknown, let us compose ourselves 

in trust, however rickety the feeling-sense may be.

Let us step out onto the swaying, high-wire act 

of one mystery stretched all the way to another.

Arms, torso, and head balanced; 

heart holding the mudra of inquiry 

that encompasses the great expanse,

all the way to the beginning again. And again.

Jeong Ji

Photo by Zen Master Jeong Bong

Transmission Ceremony of Zen Master Jeong Bong

We gathered together on September 16 to celebrate the Dharma Transmission of Eric Nord, JDPSN who received his new dharma name, Zen Master Jeong Bong. On this rare and important occasion, our dharma room was full to capacity with dharma friends and family. Together, we participated in the unbroken tradition that recognizes mind-to-mind transmission from teacher to student across countless generations. We were joined in person by Zen Master Ji Bong and Ann Pepper, JDPSN from the Golden Wind Zen community. It was a beautiful ceremony highlighted by an insightful dharma talk by Jeong Bong Soen Sa. We are deeply grateful to our entire community for the strength and enduring legacy of our Zen training as it is carried forward to future generations.

October 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 9am-10:30am (Also streamed online)
• Sunday 11am-noon
• Tuesday 7pm (Not streamed)
• Wednesdays at 10am
• Fridays at 10am

Newcomer Orientation:

• Sunday 10:30am

Sessions with Special Chanting:

• Sunday, October 1 9am

Sessions with a Dharma Talk:

• Sunday, October 8 9am "Kong-ans and Their Relevance to How We Live With and For Others" by Zen Master Jeong Ji

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.

3-Day Retreat with Zen Master Jeong Bong

Friday, October 20 - Sunday, October 22

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

This retreat will be held in person in the Blue Heron Dharma Room and will be streamed on Zoom. Please register here by Tuesday, October 17.

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