July 2021
Dear Friends,
Sometimes we can’t help but think of cause and effect simplistically, as a cosmic judicial system of reward and punishment. The child that we once were still lives inside us! We expect that if we do well we will be rewarded with a prize of some sort, like a gold star or a golden brocade robe, a certificate or title. Sometimes we forget that these flimsy things are just symbols and not reality itself. Sometimes we forget that it’s not just about us.
Reality is richer than that…and bigger, … and intertwined with what lies ahead of and behind. As practitioners of Zen, we see that reality already is the grand prize and cosmic reward. What a procession of being, what a pageantry of shimmering thusness!
Yours in perpetual wonder,
Jeong Ji
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Photo by Eric Nord, JDPSN |
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July Online Sessions
You are welcome to join in on any of these online sessions. No sign up necessary, just join online group practice at the appropriate time for any of our group practices. If you need to, entering late is okay, as is leaving early. If it’s your first time trying this out, come early if you can. The Head Dharma Teacher will be available to help you get started.
Sessions:
- Monday - Saturday 7am
- Sunday 9am
- Tuesday 7pm
- Wednesday 10am
- Thursday 5:30pm
Sessions with Dharma Talks:
- Sunday, July 4 9am - Zen Master Jeong Ji
Sessions with Dharma Dialogues:
- Tuesday, July 6 7pm - Senior Dharma Teachers
3-Hour Online Retreat:
- Saturday, July 17 9am - No registration required
Book Club:
Intro to Zen:
- Sunday, July 4 1pm-2pm we are offering a one-hour online introduction. Please register if you would like to attend. Dana (donation) is welcome but not required.
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Friday Outdoor Practice
Fridays 10:00am - 10:30am
We are holding in-person practice outdoors at the Zen Center every Friday morning from 10:00 am to 10:30 am. We will practice outdoors, reciting the Four Great Views, sitting for 25 minutes, and then have a brief reading at the end.
This practice will be entirely outdoors; use of the building will be for emergencies only. In the interest of everyone’s safety, we ask that you remain masked, bring your own cushion and remain at least six feet apart from others. Clean chairs will be provided if necessary.
Registration is no longer required.
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Donate with Your Next Purchase
Your Amazon purchases can result in a donation being made to the Blue Heron Zen Community. If you place the order through Amazon Smile and designate Blue Heron Zen Community as the charity you wish to receive the donation, Amazon will contribute 0.5% of the purchase price to Blue Heron Zen Community. For additional information or details go to this website: org.amazon.com
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In-Person Practice at the Dharma Room
Tuesday, July 6 and July 20
We will hold two in-person practice sessions in July, on Tuesday July 6th, and Tuesday July 20th, at 7:00 PM. Attendance will be limited to 10 people, including the Head Dharma Teacher.
If you wish to attend in-person practice on either or both of those dates, please review the guidelines for these sessions. If you agree with the guidelines and you meet the requirements, please register in advance online. When you register, we will ask for your name and contact information, and for you to agree to the conditions. |
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Dharma Dialogue Opportunities (Zoom or In-Person)
Sunday July 11 - Saturday July 17
Zen Master Jeong Ji will offer Dharma Dialogues from 2pm to 4pm the week of July 11. During signup, you will have the choice of a Zoom meeting or an outdoors In-Person meeting at her home in Issaquah, WA.
Please note that you must be fully vaccinated and in good health to attend an In-Person meeting.
Kong-an training is available in these dialogues (but not required). These will be scheduled individually, separate from our regular practice times. Sign up for a Dharma Dialogue. You will receive an email with the meeting location before the date of your dialogue.
Students may wish to offer dana to the teacher. These expressions of gratitude are most welcome. To anonymously provide dana to the teacher, please click here to donate. |
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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.
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Silent Meditation Hike
Saturday, July 17 8am
Join us for a silent hike through the forest past bubbling creeks, mossy rocks, and trees marked with lichen. We’ll meet at 8am at the trailhead and walk silently, interspersed with short periods of sitting meditation (if you're fully vaccinated and wish to carpool, see below). We'll be out about 3-4 hours, depending on the group's wishes and trail traffic. The hiking will be moderate and on a well-established trail, with some uphill portions (with possibly up to 1,700 feet in elevation gain if the group is game). Bring water, snacks, insect repellent, weather-appropriate gear, good trail shoes, and something to sit on for sitting periods.
The park is just south of Issaquah. See the link above for a map and driving directions. Or, Take the bus to the trailhead! If you're fully vaccinated and interested in carpooling from north Seattle, contact Jill Irwin.
Please email or text Jill ( jillmirwin@gmail.com or 306-349-2144) to confirm that you're coming. While we prefer that you're fully vaccinated against COVID-19, we will be keeping our distance on the trail. If you're more comfortable wearing a mask or bringing one, please do so. |
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Our Online Altar
We invite you to register a name of a loved one who is currently suffering for our Kwan Seum Bosal Chanting, or for Ji Jang Bosal Chanting, for a loved one who has recently died. We will recite these names when we do special chanting. |
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Looking Forward
9-Day Retreat: August 14-22
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