Dear Mid City Zen Sangha and community, We are off and running with our first Practice Period in about 4 years! We started with a day long retreat and are now into classes and weekly teachings. It has been a real team effort with so many people chipping in to make this happen. It's not too late to jump in and register for the Practice Period, please see the information below.
As part of the Practice Period, we have a number of special events and guest dharma talks coming, and all are welcome to attend. Please see the details below and mark your calendars. As things are being added and changed, the best place to look for the latest news is the website at https://midcityzen.org.
We hope to see you in the zendo soon!
Your Mid City Zen Board:
Jon, Patty, Tilde, Victoria, and Miles |
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We're on the social medias, follow us for news! | |
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Still space to register for the Spring Practice Period |
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We're excited to have Greg Fain and Linda Galijan from Tassajara Zen Mountain Monastery guiding us in a period of intensive and committed practice this spring. As Greg explains it: "Practice period is a tradition going back to the time of the Buddha, when the monks would cease their wandering in the forests and gather during the rainy season to practice together as a community. In the tradition of Japanese Zen, they tend to be three-month periods of time where the monastic community intensifies their practice. They are known as “ango,” which is often translated as “Peaceful abiding.” While the Practice Period is already underway, you can still register and attend the ongoing classes and talks, or any portion of the events that suits you. Registrants will receive access to the recordings of the talks and classes as well. |
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Every First Friday Meditative Yoga Cancelled This Month (Mar 3) |
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This weekend is also a sewing retreat with Zengetsu Vicki Glenn, Ino/Head of the Meditation Hall of Houston Zen Center and senior Zen sewing teacher. Zengetsu received ordination as a Zen Priest on June 10, 2018. All are welcome to join for this talk in the zendo (and through our virtual zendo) on March 5 at 10:45am |
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Second Sunday Dharma Talk, March 12: Shinji Mary Carol Edwards Please join us for this guest dharma talk by Assistant Teacher of Houston Zen Center Shinji Mary Carol Edwards. The talk will be at 10:45am 3/12 as part of our regular Sunday program and available in the zendo and through the virtual zendo. Mary Carol is a landscape designer, wetlands restoration expert, and owner/founder of Green Star Wetland Plant Farm. |
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2 Special Guest Talks by Lama Lena Saturday March 25 11AM-1PM & 3:30-5:30PM We are excited to be co-hosting Lama Lena, a teacher and lineage holder in several Tibetan Buddhist traditions. By special request, she will be teaching about the Six Paramitas from a Tibetan Buddhist perspective. See flyer from Louisiana Himalayan Association |
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New Offering: Third Thursday Sober Zen: March 16 6:30pm |
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Come join fellow Zen practitioners at various places on their sober journeys for a casual monthly discussion group. We’ll chat about how Zen, mindfulness, and meditation have played a role in our sobriety, and offer each other community and support. This group is not affiliated with any sobriety program, but rather, an open place to be met where you are. |
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Third Sunday Board Meeting: March 19 Open to all, our board meetings are where we discuss the nuts and bolts of keeping our peer-led sangha running, and develop plans for our upkeep, engagement, and ongoing programs at the zendo and in the community. |
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Tuesday Evening Sittings and Class on the Six Paramitas We are continuing the weekly Tuesday evening sittings we started trying out this summer. You're welcome to join a period of sitting meditation at 6:30pm every Tuesday. Please try to arrive to get settled into your seat a few minutes before then. During Practice Period, we will have class from 7:15 - 8:15pm following zazen. |
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Mon, Wed & Fri Morning Sittings You're welcome to join a period of sitting meditation at 8am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. Please try to arrive to get settled into your seat a few minutes before then. We've added Mondays during Practice Period only, except for Monday March 6, when we'll be closed due to HVAC repairs. |
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Our Sunday Schedule Our full Sunday program is now in full swing every weekend (except for the first weekend of the month which will be half day sitting days). 8:30am- 9:15am Introduction and Meditation Instruction (No instruction first Sunday of the month.) 9:15am -9:30am Chanting Service 9:30am - 9:55am Zazen 9:55am - 10:05am Kinhin (walking meditation) 10:05am - 10:35am Zazen 10:35am - 11:30am Dharma talks, Way Seeking Mind talks, Board Meeting, Study Group or Community Brunch 11:30am - 11:40am Soji (mindful cleaning) |
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The virtual zendo will remain open for sitting for all of our regulary scheduled programs and services (tech problems notwithstanding!). On Sundays, the virtual zendo opens at 8:30am. On the first Sunday of every month, we have a half day sit, opening at 7:50am and alternating sitting and walking meditation from 8:05 - 11:45am. |
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Additionally, for days that we don't have anything on offer, you may be interested in attending the online zendo at San Francisco Zen Center, which keeps a very full schedule of opportunities daily. San Francisco Zen Center is Their daily morning practice is almost identical to our Sunday schedule (it starts at 7:50am New Orleans time), concluding with the same morning service. There are also opportunities to meet online with SFZC teachers in the evenings every first and third Thursday. See their schedule for more information. |
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Consider becoming a member |
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All of Mid City Zen's activities are free to all and supported by donations. By becoming a monthly member you are sustaining the community of practice here. Your support allows us to have a place for people to settle their minds and hearts and steep in the teachings of the Buddha. Monthly membership is essential to creating the stability and development of our sangha. Mid City Zen's legal name is Zen Meditation Center of New Orleans, is a 501c3 non-profit organization, and all donations are tax deductible. Also please note if you mail checks, our new address for mail is: Mid City Zen PO Box 791400
New Orleans LA 70179 | | |
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