Martha Howden
Longtime Sangha member and dogged sitter Martha Howden landed in the hospital several days ago (actually two hospitals, getting shuttled between Strong and Highland here in Rochester) with what at this hour they’re calling an “atypical heart attack.” Myriad tests have now shown that the suspect artery is clean as a whistle, and just today she was discharged to the care of her daughter, Kathryn. The physicians are promising to follow up with further investigation to see if they can determine the cause of the event.
Seeking a Solitary Retreat
A resident staff member is looking for a place to do a solitary retreat during part of the upcoming summer break, while the Center is closed between August 24 and September 5. If you can help by lending her a cabin, hut, lean-to, or cave, please contact Bidu Kharel or Trueman Taylor.
Introductory Workshop on Saturday, August 20
Because of the in-person workshop this Saturday, there will be no formal morning sitting nor informal noon-time sitting on August 20. However, Finding Your Seat will still meet from 11 a.m. to noon via Zoom.
Teisho by Sensei on Sunday, August 21
John-sensei will give teisho this Sunday morning. You’re invited to join us from 8:30 to 10:30 EDT in the Arnold Park zendo, on Zoom, or the Center’s audio livestream.
Other Sunday Activities
Before the Sunday morning sitting begins, Zen Kids will meet in the backyard of Arnold Park, near the community space. If you’d like your kids to participate, please RSVP to Chris Maley by Friday evening, August 19. Parents may pick up their children in the same place when the sitting ends and then join the Sangha Brunch Social.
Our second Sangha Brunch Social is an opportunity to connect with old friends and make new ones. In addition to a great spread of food, there will be a fun group activity while seated at round tables set up in the Center’s back garden. There’s no fee for the brunch, but please complete this sign-up form by noon on Friday, August 19.
Dharma Reflections, a popular monthly Buddhist study group, will also meet this Sunday on Zoom from 1:00 to 2:15 EDT. Longtime member Larry McSpadden will lead a friendly discussion on short selections of Buddhist writings and teachings. More information and this month’s source material are available here.
Center Closed Next Week
Tuesday Beginners’ Night on August 23 will be the last formal in-person sitting before the Center’s two-week break from August 24 through September 6.
During the break, Zoom sittings will continue Monday through Saturday morning from 7:00 to 8:00, Sunday morning from 8:30 to 9:30, and Monday through Friday evening from 7:00 to 8:00. In addition, the Arnold Park zendo will be open for members to come and sit informally during the break. At Chapin Mill, the zendo will be available for informal sitting beginning Sunday, August 28; from August 20 to 27 the Retreat Center will be occupied for a rental group’s silent retreat. (If you’d like to use the Chapin Mill zendo, be sure to contact Donna Kowal beforehand.)
Our regular schedule of in-person sittings and Zen training at Arnold Park and Chapin Mill will resume Wednesday, September 7, at 6 a.m.
New! Zen Practice for Parents
Calling all those involved in parenting, including grandparents and chosen aunties and uncles! Join Sangha member Susan Rakow on Zoom on Monday, August 29, from 8:15 to 9:15 p.m. for a light-hearted, expert-led, educational, and supportive Parent Practice group. Click here to sign up.