Saturday Dokusan with Sensei, June 18

Saturday dokusan is offered for the benefit of members who have a hard time making it to dokusan during the week. Since Roshi is currently away, Sensei will give dokusan at 10:00 a.m. To attend, take a seat on the left side of the Arnold Park zendo, near the Kannon Room, any time before 10:00. An announcement will be made in the zendo before dokusan begins.

Chapin Mill Work Retreat (AKA “Summer Camp for Adults”)

Our annual work retreat at Chapin Mill begins with zazen on Tuesday evening, June 28, and ends just after lunch on Saturday, July 2. The schedule is here. In addition to zazen and dokusan, you’ll get to enjoy great food, swimming in the spring-fed pond, walking in the woods, and visiting with old and new friends.

You’re welcome to come for all or part of the retreat, and there’s plenty of space for people to stay overnight at Chapin Mill. There’s also no fee for the work retreat (although donations to help cover meal expenses are welcome – suggested donation: $20/day). If you’d like to join us, please complete the Chapin Mill Work Retreat registration form.

Uprooting Racism Film Discussion, June 22

Join Uprooting Racism for a virtual screening and discussion on Wednesday, June 22, at 7:00-8:30 EDT for the Emmy-winning, BAFTA-nominated documentary White Right: Meeting the Enemy (2017). Those who register will have free access to the film until the Zoom discussion on June 22.

RZC Nonviolent Communication Group, June 24

There are still some spots open for the new weekly Zoom group dedicated to learning and practicing “NVC” (Nonviolent Communication). Also known as compassionate or collaborative communication, NVC offers Zen practitioners a practical approach to Right Speech, strengthening our ability to respond compassionately to others and to ourselves.

The group will begin on Friday, June 24 (5:00 to 6:00 p.m. EDT) and runs for 12 weeks. It’s open to Sangha members only. Registration will close on June 24 or when all of the openings have been filled. To learn more and complete an interest form, please see https://www.rzc.org/news/nvc-group/

Inaugural Sangha Brunch Social, June 26

In last year’s Sangha Renewal Survey, we learned that the #1 need of our Sangha is to have opportunities to interact with other members. On Sunday, June 26, following teisho, we will hold the first of what we hope will become a new Center tradition: a Sangha Brunch Social. In addition to a great spread of food, we will facilitate a fun and creative activity – seated at our new round tables with chairs! – that will help us make new connections and get to know one another better. There’s no fee for the brunch; simply complete the Sangha Brunch Social Sign-up form so we can get a head count. The deadline to register is noon on Friday, June 24.

Wanted: Sangha Program Leaders

Would you like to lead a Sangha activity? A group bike ride, a volunteer project, a film discussion, a cooking lesson, a tai chi class? Fill out the Sangha Programs Proposal Form, and the Sangha Programs Office team will contact you to see if we can make it happen. In the months ahead, we’re hoping to develop our offerings of in-person and online activities, whether they’re intended for Zen Center members only or for the wider community as well.