New Weekly Work Period Opportunities at the Zen Center

Layman Pang, a renowned Zen ancestor who lived from 740–808, wrote the following about work as a core aspect of our training:

My daily activities are not unusual, I’m just naturally in harmony with them. Grasping nothing, discarding nothing. In every place there’s no hindrance, no conflict. My supernatural power and marvelous activity: Drawing water and chopping wood.

Senior Dharma Teacher, Greg Eisen, has initiated two weekly work periods at the Zen Center to help maintain our new landscaping and grounds. As of now, we’d like to open this up to the wider sangha. Many hands make for light work! If you’re free, please join in. No need to sign up. The work periods are:

Wednesdays, from 11am – 12noon

Fridays, from 3pm – 5pm

New Practice: A Revised Format for Thursday Evening

Thursday evening practice resumes on October 17 at a new time: 5:30-6:30pm.

We hope this time will be helpful to those who need to be home in the evenings. Practice will include two sitting periods, with short periods of chanting and walking. It is also possible to join at 6:00pm during the walking period.

Join us at 5:30pm (or 6:00pm) on Thursdays!

Silent Meditation Hike

Sunday, October 6, 11:00am

Please join us on October 6 for a silent meditation hike. On these hikes we walk in silence, interspersed with short periods of sitting. We'll meet at Blue Heron Zen in Seattle at 11:00 a.m. and carpool (if you're closer to the mountains, we can discuss a different pickup spot). Expect to be back late afternoon, depending on interest. Wear good walking/hiking shoes and bring appropriate gear for the weather (we go rain or shine), water, lunch or snacks, and something to sit on. Please call or text Jill at 206-349-2144 if you are interested or would like to join.

Dharma Talk

Thursday, October 10: 7pm

Dharma Teacher Chris Chapman will give the introductory talk and Zen Master Jeong Ji answer questions from the audience. Everyone is welcome.

Three Day Retreat with Zen Master Jeong Ji

Friday - Saturday, October 11-13

Fri-Sat: 7am - 8:30pm, Sun: 7am - 3pm

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, October 8.

Neighborhood Cleanup

Sunday, October 20: 10am

As a part of our involvement with our community, we have instituted regular trash pickup from the streets of our neighborhood. Please join the sangha for this outreach. Blue Heron will supply garbage bags and pickers for trash. Please bring gloves if you have them.

YouthCare Dinner

Friday, October 25: 4:30pm

Help us prepare and serve a hot, love-filled meal to homeless youth. Blue Heron Zen Community will sponsor meal preparation and service at the YouthCare Orion Center, which is located at 1828 Yale Ave, Seattle, on Friday, October 25th from 4:30 to 7. We meet there at 4:30 or at the Zen center at 3:15 to carpool.

YouthCare works to help homeless youth get off the street and into a stable life trajectory. Read more about YouthCare here.

If you are interested in participating , there is a sign-up sheet at the Zen Center. Please email any questions to Meg.