{"id":932,"date":"2015-01-29T20:05:55","date_gmt":"2015-01-29T20:05:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zenwest.ca\/site\/?p=932"},"modified":"2016-06-13T20:09:24","modified_gmt":"2016-06-13T20:09:24","slug":"zenwest-newsletter-february-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zenwest.ca\/site\/zenwest-newsletter-february-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"Zenwest Newsletter – February 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Original Email Version)<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

\n\"\"
\n<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Newsletter for the month of February 2015<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
For more information about Zenwest or about specific events, go to the Zenwest homepage<\/a>\u00a0or click on that event for more details. For the full schedule in all its glory, click here<\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n
Genjo Osho’s Visit<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Genjo Osho<\/a>\u00a0will be visiting Zenwest from Feb 27\u2014Mar 1. Take this opportunity to meet and sit with our teacher’s teacher. There is a variety of ways to do this, ranging from just Friday evening to a full weekend intensive. Registration is required, so hurry over to the\u00a0<\/span>Genjo Osho Visit<\/a>\u00a0page to register.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
Sits<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
Special Events<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
Jan 5\u2014Mar 29: Kokizan-ji Training Period 1, 2015. Residential<\/a> and Non-Residential<\/a> training\n<\/div>\n
Feb 21 (Sat) Workday at Kokizan-ji. 9AM\u201412PM Help to maintain the temple in Sooke.<\/em><\/span>\n<\/div>\n
Feb 27\u2014Mar 1: Various sits and opportunities to meet Genjo Osho:<\/a>
\nFeb 27: Friday evening sit with Genjo Osho
\nFeb 28: One-Day Intensive with Genjo Osho
\nFeb 29: Half-Day Zendo with Genjo Osho<\/span>
\nSee the website<\/a> for more details.<\/div>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
More Info and Other Great Stuff. Keep scrolling!<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n
Rohatsu Sesshin, December 2014<\/strong><\/div>\n

The following is an account, shared generously by Matt Kelly, of his first time attending Rohatsu Sesshin, which took place in December 2014. Rohatsu is Dec 8, a day marking the Buddha’s awakening after a long period of meditation. At Rohatsu Sesshin, participants engage in seven days of intensive practice leading up to “Awakening Day.”<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\u201cLooking back on my time at camp Indianola I can definitely say what Genjo Osho says on the first night is very eerily true\u2014that the whole week will feel like one long day. While driving home after the week of sessin, I felt I was finally entering into the next day, and it really didn\u2019t seem as though very much time had passed.<\/p>\n

The whole experience of the one long day was very intense and painful but the choboji crew makes everything very manageable and comfortable. One of my most vivid memories of the trip was the overflowing snack bar that was open to us every time we had a short break. That kind of snack after a ten-plus-hour sitting day makes a gargantuan difference in how you feel about sitting ten hours the next day.<\/p>\n

Another memory is of finding a message in a bottle on the beach one day that read something like \u201cLive your life! If you are sad know that it will pass. Remember that you are not alone. Cherish your family and friends more than anything.\u201d This was near the end of the sessin so I think it really made an impact on what my mood was going to be after I left.<\/p>\n

Another thing I can\u2019t leave out is the idyllic zendo we were using. On one side there are huge windows covering the whole wall with views of the ocean, which made for spectacular sunrises. Apparently this will be the last time the Rohatsu sessin will be held at camp Indianola due to a hike in the price of renting the space. This is not just sad because it is such a nice place but also because the rohatsu sessins have been held there for decades.<\/p>\n

As for the actual zen practice, I think this sessin has really opened me up a little more to what zen is really all about, although I still don\u2019t know. I realized the importance of dokusan (private interview) probably because there were three opportunities every day.
\nI also realized how important suffering (pain in your legs or otherwise) is in this practice. Looking back, I also see how important the consistent everyday sitting is, or how when you go to open yourself up as much as you can (sessin) it helps if you\u2019ve done the ground work.<\/p>\n

I really appreciate the opportunity to be able to have two amazing zen centers very close by and to have two equally amazing teachers running them. I think how Eshu and Genjo are organizing things; we all have the opportunity to see a very broad spectrum of zen practice which I don\u2019t know exists anywhere else in the world. I\u2019m very grateful for the opportunities I\u2019ve had with both teachers and I plan on pursuing their offerings as much as I can.<\/p>\n

With gasso,<\/p>\n

Matt Kelly\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
Volunteer Opportunity<\/strong><\/span>\n<\/div>\n

Are you a whiz with Microsoft Excel? Our Registrar seeks assistance and would greatly value your spreadsheet skills. Please email registrar@zenwest.ca <\/a>if you are interested in helping out.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
All-Sangha Photo Feb 24 (at the Tuesday sit)<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
Our annual Zenwest All-Sangha Photo (which is open to Associates as well as Members) is scheduled to take place on Tuesday February 24 at 6:30 pm (before the sit at UVic). Even if you can\u2019t stay for the sit that evening, please join us in your practice gear; we would love to include you in the photo!<\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
Hermitage Experience<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
In January, Genkyo and Jay spent time at the Hermitage in Sooke. Below is a testimonial that speaks most eloquently of the experience:<\/p>\n

\u201cMy recent stay (January 2015) in the Hermitage at Red Flag Mountain Temple most definitely had a profound impact on me. The structure itself represented the community building the perfect homage to our practice and I felt honored to have been a part of having seen it built from the ground up.<\/p>\n

My time there allowed me to experience the wonderful treasures that I had previously overlooked. Everything from the simple, blissful quietude that seemed to seep in periodically to the perfect slice of rugged West Coast forest directly out of my window as I ate my meals. The meals themselves were surprisingly tasty and perfectly proportioned.<\/p>\n

Eshu Osho prepared a personalised schedule that was a great balance of Zen Form and flexibility that strengthened my practice well beyond where it had been. It also became obvious how well Eshu Osho managed me and what I was going through experiencing the world \u2018unplugged\u2019 and retreating from my normal routines.<\/p>\n

I would encourage a stay at The Hermitage to anyone who wishes to deepen their practice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014Jason Dunphy, Victoria B.C.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Donations to Support Sweeping Zen<\/strong><\/span>\n<\/div>\n

Adam Tebbe, editor and owner of\u00a0Sweeping Zen<\/a>, provides a\u00a0tremendously valuable online resource\u00a0<\/em>and has done so since 2009. Click on the link and you’ll soon see how valuable the website is.
\nThere is a need for financial contributions to help defray web costs and expenses. Please do consider a donation; anything would help and would be greatly appreciated as he continues to offer insight and information about Zen practice, practitioners, and a myriad of other resources. To make a donation, please click\u00a0here.<\/a><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
Yoga Gear Available at Wholesale Prices<\/strong><\/span>\n<\/div>\n

Many of our members and associates are yoga enthusiasts. If you\u2019d like to purchase yoga gear at a lower rate than most retail stores offer, please visit Halfmoon<\/a> to check out their stock. If you see items you wish to purchase, please email Eshu (eshu@zenwest.ca<\/a>) with a list, and he will let you know how much it will cost.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Once in a while
\nI just let time wear on
\nleaning against a
\nsolitary pine
\nstanding speechless,
\nas does the whole universe!
\nAh, who can share
\nthis solitude with me?<\/p>\n

\u2014Ryokan<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Photo by\u00a0Ren\u00e9e Layberry<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
Care about climate change? Please see the\u00a0<\/span>International Dharma Teachers’ Statement on Climate Change here<\/span><\/a> and consider adding your name to show your support.<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
Copyright \u00a9 2015 Zenwest Buddhist Society, All rights reserved.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Zenwest Newsletter mailing address is:<\/strong>
\nnewsletter@zenwest.ca<\/a><\/p>\n

For other inquiries and Zenwest business:<\/strong>
\noffice@zenwest.ca<\/a><\/p>\n

To see the full schedule in all its glory, click here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

unsubscribe from this list<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 update subscription preferences<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Genjo Osho’s Visit
\nRohatsu Sesshin, December 2014
\nVolunteer Opportunity
\nAll-Sangha Photo Feb 24 (at the Tuesday sit)
\nHermitage Experience
\nDonations to Support Sweeping Zen
\nYoga Gear Available at Wholesale Prices
\nPhoto by\u00a0Ren\u00e9e Layberry
\nInternational Dharma Teachers’ Statement on Climate Change<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-932","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-newsletter"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zenwest.ca\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/932","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zenwest.ca\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zenwest.ca\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zenwest.ca\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zenwest.ca\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=932"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/zenwest.ca\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/932\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":933,"href":"https:\/\/zenwest.ca\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/932\/revisions\/933"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zenwest.ca\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=932"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zenwest.ca\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=932"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zenwest.ca\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=932"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}