Dear Mid City Zen Sangha and community, We hope your April has been full of good health and spring celebrations! Victoria and Jon just returned from the Branching Streams conference in Austin, TX last week, and we left feeling energized and very supported by our wider sangha at San Francisco Zen Center and the dozens of other Zen centers in the Suzuki Roshi Lineage. We'll be reporting on our experience in the coming weeks. There are some important links below for registering for upcoming events in May, and we would love your input on a short survey about if/when you would like to sit on weekdays, and any other programs you would like to see or help out with. We hope to see you soon, 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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We need your help! Can you please take our 2 minute survey to let us know if/when you're interested in sitting on weekdays, and what programs you'd most like to see at Mid City Zen? |
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Mid City Zen in the news! We were featured in a piece in New Orleans Magazine this month in an article about "A self-care first aid kit for the body and mind." Board member and Soto Zen student Victoria Cvitanovic talked to the authors about what Zen meditation is (and is not). | | |
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Special 3-Day Class by Visiting Teachers Greg Fain and Linda Galijan will be offering a special 3-day class on Dogen's Fukanzazengi (or Universally Recommended Instructions for Zazen), open to all, 7pm May 24,25 & 26. You don't have to attend all three. Attendance is by donation. | | |
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Jukai Ceremony We'll be having a lay ordination ceremony at 10am on May 22, presided by visiting teachers Greg Fain, Linda Galijan and Susan O'Connell from San Francisco Zen Center, and with two of our board members receiving the precepts. (Our last jukai ceremony was in 2018, pictured at left). If you are interested in attending, you can RSVP here. | | |
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Upcoming Second Sunday Dharma Talks Here are our next two upcoming 2nd Sunday talks, featuring Soto Zen priests and lay ordained practictioners: 5/8 Vicki Glen, Houston Zen Center 6/12 Tova Green, San Francisco Zen Center |
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Dharma Book Club and Meditative Yoga Board member Victoria Cvitanovic is hosting two classes this month. Like everything at MCZ, both offerings are free, with donations welcome. The Dharma Book Club will meet first Tuesdays of the month (May 3) at 5:30pm . The first book being discussed is Buddha's Daughters, Teachings from Women Who Are Shaping Buddhism in the West. Meditative Yoga Classes will be first Friday of the month (May 5) at 5:30pm. |
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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 every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:15am for 7:30am zazen. 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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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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