October 2010

This Week at Windhorse: October 28 through November 2

The October sesshin is over. But the extraordinary beauty and depth of that Full Moon week, with its misty mornings, brilliant days, and magical moonlight kinhins, will be with some of us for a long while.

This week Lawson-sensei will again be leaving the Asheville area, traveling to New York City tomorrow (Thursday), and returning late on Halloween.

Next Tuesday, Nov. 2, Sunya-sensei will be traveling to Santa Fe to celebrate her mother’s 90thbirthday and to visit with other family members there. She returns on Wednesday evening, Nov. 10. (And yes, she already voted.)

That same evening, a member of the Polish sangha, Tanna Jakubowicz-Mount, arrives in Asheville from NYC, where she’s been visiting her brother for a few weeks. She’ll be participating in a 2-week training program at the center, leaving just before Thanksgiving.

And speaking of Thanksgiving: For a number of reasons, we will not be holding our usual Thanksgiving dinner here at Panther Branch this year. We wanted people to know this in advance, so that you could make other plans.

The Schedule

Thursday evening, October 28: Usual evening sitting canceled

We will not be holding our Thursday evening sitting tomorrow night.

Friday, October 29

We’ll meet in town at 12 Von Ruck Court for three 25-minute rounds of zazen, followed by chanting: 5:30 – 7:15 PM

For the sake of good relations with Von Ruck neighbors, who may well have no garage and need to park their cars on the street, please remember to park your vehicle in the driveway if at all possible.

If you arrive late: Please park in the driveway anyway, enter quietly, and simply do zazen in the entrance room until kinhin.

Sunday, October 31 -- Halloween

As usual, our Sunday program includes zazen, chanting and teisho. We begin at 9:30, end by 11:30, and then gather for a vegetarian potluck brunch. (No one has to bring anything, but we’ll share whatever offerings arrive.) Costumes not required.

Tuesday, Nov. 2 – Election Day!

We’ll have our usual schedule this evening, with 3 rounds of zazen with dokusan with Lawson-sensei, followed by chanting. 7- 9 PM at Panther Branch.

Dear Sangha,

We’re looking for a few people who are willing to volunteer time (e.g. 1-2 hour blocks) on a consistent basis to help with the garden during the late summer and fall season. Kapila is in the process of planning the fall crop, but says he can’t manage it all on his own. Unfortunately, if no volunteers appear, he feels we’ll have to close things down.

What Kapila is offering to do is to give people an initial free workshop on soil enrichment and working with fall crops, and then to work with these individuals throughout the growing season. People who help out will have the opportunity to learn about garden management, and will also be able to take home organic produce throughout the season.

If we can do this, Windhorse will benefit by getting first-class produce for sesshin and other times, while refining ways of incorporating gardening into our work/practice program. We’ll also be looking at the best ways to expand the garden in the future, and to offer a greater variety of produce.

Lawson, for Windhorse

Please read the following from the garden crew:

It’s More Than a Garden!

Our mission is to advance our practice of sustainable biodynamic organic agriculture. We can do so much more than just supply food for the summer table. For those who sign up, Kapila will be offering a harvest season workshop (September):

Extend Your Growing Season Simply and Inexpensively

Also learn about low-tunnel greenhousing, and spring prep. Details soon.

For those who volunteer garden time, 1-2 hour blocks are fine, at your convenience. Kapila will be on hand in the mornings, and there will be clear instructions for what to do when you work on your own.

The garden is beautiful and inspiring – a lovely place of practice!

Windhorse Update: July 27-August 3

Greetings, all! And warm greetings, also, from our sister sangha in Poland. Another member of that sangha has come back with me: Magda Kadlubowska (aren’t you glad we’re all on a first-name basis). She’ll be staying and training here at Windhorse for the next few weeks.

Also just arrived today is Meredith Rolley, recently of Florida, but who lived for years in New Mexico. She too will be living here in training and attending the upcoming 5-day sesshin.

And after several weeks once again hiking the Appalachian Trail, former and periodic resident John Swart is back in town. He will also be staying with us through the August sesshin and perhaps longer. This weekend, more guests will be staying here for the workshop and teisho. A lively place, this 580 Panther Branch!

Wonderful to look down yesterday early evening, in the last leg of our long trip, and to see these beloved mountains. It brought to mind those words engraved on a bench at the UNCA botanical gardens – the words of a local poet, Christine Lassiter, who died in 2001 at the age of 50:

I go home to North Carolina wet with the mist of trees breathing life, each mountain singing into the next, green ridges rolling into blue -- softer, softer, then silent.

Yes, good to be home! -- Sunya

Tuesday, July 27

Our weekly Tuesday schedule includes 3 rounds of zazen with dokusan (both teachers) and chanting; 7- 9 at Panther Branch.

Thursday evening, July 29

We’ll resume our usual schedule: 3 full rounds of zazen with dokusan.

Friday, July 30

We’ll hold our in-town evening sitting at the rented zendo on 12 Von Ruck Court: 5:30 – 7:15, with 3 shorter rounds of zazen followed by chanting.

For the sake of getting along with neighbors there, many of whom have no garage and need to park their cars on the street, please remember to park your vehicle in the driveway if at all possible.

If you arrive late: Please park in the driveway anyway, enter quietly, and simply do zazen in the entrance room until kinhin.

Saturday, July 31

Lawson-sensei will be leaving early Saturday morning to visit his mother in Albany.

Because of the workshop from 9:45am – 2:00pm, our morning sitting this Saturday will be from 6:30 – 7:30am.

Cost of this workshop, including a vegetarian lunch, is $25 for those who preregistered and $35 at the door.

Sunday, August 1

We’ll have our usual Sunday morning program with chanting and teisho from 9:30–11:30, followed by tea and whatever vegetarian brunch offerings people may bring to share.

Tuesday, August 3

Same schedule as usual -- see above.

What’s Happening at Windhorse:

We’ll hold to our usual schedule tonight, with 3 rounds of zazen with dokusan, followed by chanting. 7- 9 PM at Panther Branch.

Thursday evening, July 22 & Friday morning, July 23

Thursday night and Friday morning sittings will continue to be informal until next week. People are welcome to come at any time, sit as long as you want, and leave whenever. The zendo is open, but the rounds will not be timed.

Friday evening, July 23

Our Friday in-town sitting starts, as usual, at 5:30. We'll sit three shorter rounds with dokusan offered by Lawson-sensei. We'll be ending the sitting with the weekly memorial service for Fran.

Sunday, July 25

On Sunday, July 25, Lawson-sensei will be giving the third of three Dharma talks on "Zen and Psychotherapy." These talks are open to members and non-members, and more detailed information will be sent out later in the week.

As usual, our program begins at 9:30, ends by 11:30, and is followed by a vegetarian potluck brunch. (No one has to bring anything, but we’ll share whatever offerings arrive.)

Monday, July 26

Sunya-sensei will be returning from Poland late on Monday, July 26th.

Upcoming events:

On Saturday, July 31 there will be an introductory workshop:

“In Every Leaping Moment: The Spirit & Practice of Zen”

If you haven’t been to one of these workshops, please consider joining us; and if you know someone who might be interested, please don't hesitate to spread the word.

And as a reminder, our next sesshin will be August 10-15.

This Week July 13, 2010

We'll hold our usual schedule tonight with 3 rounds of zazen with dokusan offered by Lawson-sensei, followed by chanting, 7-9 PM at Panther Branch.

Thursday night and Friday morning sittings will continue to be informal until the week of July 26th. People are welcome to come at any time, sit as long as you want, and leave whenever. The zendo is open, but the rounds will not be timed.

Our Friday in-town sitting starts, as usual, at 5:30. We'll sit three shorter rounds with dokusan offered by Lawson-sensei. We'll be ending the sitting with the weekly memorial service for Fran.

On Sunday, July 18, Lawson-sensei will be giving the second of three Dharma talks on "Zen and Psychotherapy". These talks are open to members and non-members, and more detailed information will be sent out later in the week.

As usual the Sunday program will begin at 9:30 AM, and be followed by a vegetarian brunch.

Rakusu Information:

Last Sunday we had our first group meeting about the significance of receiving a rakusu, and the role of ordination here at Windhorse. Now, in terms of planning for this fall's rakusu ceremony, it would be helpful to get some idea of the number of Windhorse members who are considering the possibility of sewing a rakusu for the precept ceremony. So if you are interested, or would like further information, please send us an e-mail.

And for those of you new to this area of practice, a rakusu is an abbreviated kesa, the robe worn by bhikshus and bhikshunis since the time of the Buddha. During the persecutions of Buddhism in T’ang China many bhishus and bhikshunis were forced to return to lay life, so to remind themselves that they were still Homeless Ones they fashioned a small version of kesa and wore it around their necks under their lay clothing. Since that time receiving a rakusu has symbolied the time of formally joining the Buddha's family.

Coming & Going (but not leaving Home)

June 29 through July 6



Sunya-sensei will be traveling to Poland this Thursday, July 1, and will return late on Monday, July 26th. During this time we’ll have a somewhat different work & sitting schedule (see below).

Next Monday, former resident Simon Goldberg will be moving to Madison, WI (home of Bucky Badger) to attend graduate school in Counseling Psychology. Simon will be missed & we wish him well.

This Week’s Schedule

Tuesday, June 29

We’ll hold to our usual schedule tonight, with 3 rounds of zazen with dokusan, followed by chanting. 7- 9 PM at Panther Branch.

Thursday evening, July 1

This week and for the next month, we will not have our usual Thursday night sittings with dokusan. The next regular Thursday sitting will likely be on July 29. Members are welcome to come out and sit at Panther Branch on Thursday evenings during this time, but sittings will be informal.

Friday, July 2

We’ll hold our in-town sitting at the rented zendo on 12 Von Ruck Court: 5:30 – 7:15, with 3 shorter rounds of zazen with dokusan (with Lawson-sensei), followed by chanting.

For the sake of harmonious relations with Von Ruck neighbors, many of whom have no garage and need to park their cars on the street, please remember to park your vehicle in the driveway if at all possible.

If you arrive late: Please park in the driveway anyway, enter quietly, and simply do zazen in the entrance room until kinhin.

Sunday, July 4th

Doshin (Mitch Doshin Cantor) will be giving the Dharma talk this Sunday morning on Independence Day. Doshin is a Dharma heir of Peter Muryo Matthiessen, of the White Plum Sangha, and leads the Southern Palm Zen Group in Boca Raton, FL. Doshin and his wife Fran spend their summers here in the Weaverville area and often sit with us on Sundays.

As usual, our program begins at 9:30, ends by 11:30, and is followed by a vegetarian potluck brunch. (No one has to bring anything, but we’ll share whatever offerings arrive.)

Coming Up: Save the Date!

On Sunday, July 11, we’re having another benefit for Windhorse: a magical evening of storytelling with writer and storyteller Rafe Martin at Unitarian Universalist church, 7:00 PM. Many of you attended a similar event last August, when Rafe enchanted listeners with a fine spectrum of stories, including Jataka tales. His work has been featured in Time, Newsweek, The NY Times and USA Today; this year he will be a featured storyteller at the annual National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN, over the first weekend of October. Rafe has generously offered Windhorse this evening of storytelling as a way for us to raise funds and to open up to the larger community. All proceeds will go to Windhorse and our building fund. Suggested donation at the door: $15.00, but no one will be turned away.

Bakers Needed

We're hoping to enlist volunteers to make desserts for the bake sale portion of our this event. Elisa Alvarado has again kindly offered to coordinate the menu for the sale; you can reach her at 828-768-2039. We'll be sending out more information soon, but if you’re wiling to do some baking, please let Elisa know ASAP. Thank you!

Tuesday, June 29

We’ll have our usual schedule this evening, with 3 rounds of zazen with dokusan with Lawson-sensei, followed by chanting. 7- 9 PM at Panther Branch.

Tales of Wisdom and Wonder

Rafe Martin ‘Tales of Wisdom and Wonder’ July 11, Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, 7:00 P.M.

Windhorse Zen Community invites you to “Tales of Wisdom and Wonder” – an evening of storytelling with award-winning author and storyteller Rafe Martin. Rafe’s books have been cited in Time, Newsweek and USA Today. He has been a featured teller at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough TN, (where he will be featured again this October!) the International Storytelling Center, the Joseph Campbell Festival of Myth and Story and is a recipient of the prestigious Empire State Award. He has been practicing Zen since 1970, and has received full lay ordination.

His most recent book is The Banyan Deer, a parable of courage and compassion. “The Banyan Deer shows that the lives of all living beings are equally important” — His Holiness, the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje.

“Rafe Martin is an amazing storyteller. Every time he appears he makes 500 new devotees because he is magical.” Arthur A. Levine, editor and publisher of Harry Potter. Arthur A. Levine Books, Scholastic, Inc.

Date: Sunday, July 11, 2010
Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville
For information call 828-645-8001

Book signing to follow performance.

Summer Update - June 22-29

Now, after the Solstice, the days begin to shorten ever so gradually, as the sun’s power seems to grow fiercer. Even the richly colored day lilies in the front garden seem to be taken aback by this recent heat wave. We’re working to keep things as cool as possible at the Center, especially in the zendo, so come on out when you can and join us for sittings.


Comings & Goings, and Summer Schedule

Vlastik Karlik, our 3-month resident from the Czech Republic, will be leaving Asheville early in the morning on Thursday, June 24. Vlastik has been a great addition to the training program here; we will certainly miss him, and look forward to his promised return. Vlastik now returns to his environmental work in Czech, where he plays a significant role in a river-protection group (‘Arnika’), a group that has recently been awarded a $100,000 grant for its river ecology programs. Congratulations, Vlastik!

Also on Thursday, Lawson will be leaving for Florida in the afternoon, to spend a few days working with our sister sangha in Clearwater. He returns next Monday. The following Thursday, Sunya will leave on her summer trip to Poland, from July 1st through July 26th. With only Lawson and Andy in the training program for most of July, the Windhorse work and sitting schedule for that month will be a bit different:

Thursday evening and Friday morning sittings will be informal, and if you want to volunteer to work on those days, please call ahead. Dokusan with Lawson will continue to be offered as usual on Tuesday evenings at Panther Branch, but not on Thursdays. Instead, it will be offered during our in-town sitting (5:30 to 7:15) on Friday in conjunction with Fran Mazeski’s weekly memorial services, which will continue throughout July.

This Week’s Schedule

Tuesday, June 22

We’ll hold to our usual schedule, which includes 3 rounds of zazen with dokusan and chanting; 7- 9 at Panther Branch.

Thursday evening, June 24

We’ll sit 3 full rounds of zazen with dokusan (with Sunya), finishing with our weekly memorial service for Fran. 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Friday, June 25

We’ll hold our in-town sitting at the rented zendo on 12 Von Ruck Court: 5:30 – 7:15, with 3 shorter rounds of zazen followed by chanting.

For the sake of getting along with neighbors there, many of whom have no garage and need to park their cars on the street, please remember to park your vehicle in the driveway if at all possible.

If you arrive late: Please park in driveway anyway, and simply do zazen in the entrance room until kinhin.

Saturday, June 26 -- Full Moon!

Sunday Morning, June 27

We’ll have our usual Sunday morning program with chanting and teisho from 9:30–11:30, followed by tea and whatever vegetarian brunch offerings people may bring to share.

If you arrive late (after the han has sounded): Please do not enter through the side door off the zendo; it can be disturbing for those already doing zazen. Come in through the front door and take a seat in the Kannon Room, or sit somewhere on the deck. You may enter the zendo at the first bell (on Sundays this is rung at 9:50). Since this bell isn’t easily heard when both zendo doors are closed, someone will exit the zendo at that point to see whether anyone is waiting to join the sitting.

Next Tuesday, June 29

Our normal Tuesday schedule, with dokusan with both teachers, and chanting. 7:00-9:00 PM.

Fran Mazeski

Dear All,

Fran Mazeski, former resident and beloved Dharma brother, died simply and peacefully at 9 AM this morning, in his quiet room with friends present, at the VA hospice in Asheville. We will hold a funeral service for him this Sunday at Panther Branch, preceded by zazen beginning as usual at 9:30. Fran's brother, sister and sister-in-law will be coming down from Massachusetts to attend the service.

As part of this event, people will have an opportunity to speak briefly to or about Fran -- to share Fran anecdotes (there are many!), and to honor his life and his moving on. And of course we will be chanting for him -- our regular chants and also the Memorial Prayer.

Tonight's sitting will be informal; after this week's constant vigil at hospice, folks here need to just stop for a bit. (We did a lot of chanting right there in the room with Fran this week, especially today, with a special jukai ceremony, etc..) Tomorrow morning we'll have a formal sitting starting at 6:30, with chanting; and tomorrow evening we'll hold our usual sitting in town. Please come if you can -- all chanting will be directed toward Fran, to help him on his way.

With many deep feelings,

Sunya

Windhorse Update for the week of April 26th:

This coming Saturday, May 1st, there are a couple of Windhorse events:

First and foremost, Valeria and Rainer will be presenting their film, 'Sangodare, Artist, Herbalist, Priest.' This documentary will be shown at 10:00am at the Fine Arts Theater in downtown Asheville, and everyone is encouraged to attend. If you have any questions about the film, or any of the upcoming events related to this showing, please call them at 828-515-0740.

What’s also happening Saturday morning (weather permitting) is that we’re going to be holding a firewood party. Some neighbors have kindly offered us about two years worth of firewood, and they’re going to have a large bucket-truck available on that day to help with the work. Anyone with a strong back, a willing heart, or even just a pair of gloves and a truck – please do join us. (Directions will be posted at Windhorse; and if you decide to come out at the last minute just call Lawson at 273-6700 for details.)

This Week’s Schedule

Tuesday, April 27

On Tuesday evenings we sit 2-1/2 rounds of zazen with dokusan (Sunya only; Lawson returns later tonight from Albany), ending with chanting.

7:00 - 9:00 PM at Panther Branch.

Thursday evening, April 28

We’ll sit 3 full rounds of zazen with dokusan, finishing with the Four Vows. 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Panther Branch

Friday, April 29th –

Eric and Emily will be running the usual in-town sitting at 12 Von Ruck Court from 5:30 to 7:00.

Sunday Morning, May 2nd

We’ll have our usual Sunday program: zazen, chanting and teisho, 9:30–11:30, followed by tea, and whatever vegetarian brunch offerings people may bring.

Afterward, Kapila will be holding his first Windhorse Organic Gardening Workshop. (For more information please call him at 777-2326.)

Tuesday evening, May 4th

On Tuesday evenings we sit 2-1/2 rounds of zazen with chanting and dokusan, (and yes, Sunya will be back).

Upcoming Events

Organic Vegetable-Growing Workshop -- Sunday, May 2

Buddha’s Birthday (Wesak) – Sunday, May 23

Frederick Hand Benefit Concert – Saturday, June 5

June 7-Day Sesshin, June 12-19

Rafe Martin Storytelling Benefit – Saturday, July 10th

The June sesshin could be a big one, so don’t wait too long to submit your application. Deadline to apply is Monday, May 24, but the sooner the better on this one.

This Week

This Week’s Schedule


Tuesday, March 30

As usual, our schedule this evening includes 3 rounds of zazen with dokusan (both teachers) and chanting; 7- 9 at Panther Branch. Full Moon -- an especially fine time for zazen!

Thursday evening, April First

We’ll sit 3 full rounds of zazen with dokusan, finishing with the Four Vows. 7:00 – 9:00

Friday, April 2

Workday – all welcome! We need help in so many ways, especially with sesshin around the bend. If you can come in for even an hour or two to lend a hand (or two), we’d much appreciate it. If you let us know in advance we’ll count you in for lunch.

In the early evening we’ll have our weekly in-town sitting at the rented zendo on 12 Von Ruck Court: 5:30 – 7:15, with 3 shorter rounds of zazen followed by chanting. Please remember to park in the driveway whenever possible.

Saturday, April 3

Another workday! Plenty to do, inside and out, so please join us if you can for work practice and lunch. We’ll be wrapping the workday up by 2:45, to allow time for our Residents’ Circle.

Sunday Morning, April 4

On this Easter morn we’ll have our usual Sunday program: zazen, chanting and teisho, 9:30–11:30, followed by tea, and whatever vegetarian brunch offerings people may bring.

Next Tuesday, April 6 through Sunday, April 11

We start our 5-day sesshin on Tuesday afternoon, so there will be no formal sittings until the following Tuesday, April 13. Sesshin ends on Sunday afternoon, April 11. Again, please note: No regular Sunday program on April 11.

Guest Residents

Vlastik Karlik, a longtime member of the Polish sangha and a former staff member there, arrived on schedule yesterday (Monday) on his journey from the Czech Republic. As mentioned in recent updates, he plans to be with us through the spring, returning to Europe after the June sesshin.

Also visiting us for the first time is Mui (his ordained name). He will be leaving Windhorse on Saturday after the workday, to visit family in the Raleigh area.

Guest Arriving

Lawson Sensei delivering mulch to the Bee Yard

Guest Resident Arriving

As already mentioned in a recent update, Vlastik Karlik will soon be joining us as a new resident. Vlastik leaves the Czech Republic on Sunday and will arrive in Asheville late Monday afternoon. A longtime member of the Polish sangha and former staff member there, he will be with us from the end of March till June.


One more thing: With the workshop this weekend and then the April sesshin, we’ve never needed help as much as we do now. Fran, a great list maker and worker, has been a key force in preparing the Center for such events. If you have any time to lend a hand, please call – 645-8001. Thank you!


This Week’s Schedule

Tuesday, March 23

On Tuesdays our schedule includes 3 rounds of zazen with dokusan (both teachers) and chanting; 7- 9 at Panther Branch.

Thursday evening, March 25

We’ll sit 3 full rounds of zazen with dokusan, finishing with the Four Vows. 7:00 – 9:00

Friday, March 26

Join us if you can for our in-town Friday sitting at the zendo on 12 Von Ruck Court: 5:30 – 7:15, with 3 shorter rounds of zazen followed by chanting. Please remember to park in the driveway whenever possible.

Saturday, March 27

We’ll hold a workshop, “Eternal Spring – Waking Up to Our True Nature,” an introduction to Zen teachings and practice. 9:45 – 1:30, finishing with a lunch. $25 for those who pre-register, $35 at the door. Seriously consider attending if you’ve never been to one of these – a great way to start or jump-start your practice.

Sunday Morning, March 28

We’ll have our usual Sunday morning program: zazen, chanting and teisho, 9:30–11:30, followed by tea, and whatever vegetarian brunch offerings may people may bring.

Once again

Once again the moon is waxing and SPRING is officially around the bend, with the vernal equinox occurring this Saturday, March 20, at 12:32 PM (in case you were wondering).

Another mild and bustling Tuesday here at the Center, with all sorts of activity in the vegetable garden and in the newly created (and still very muddy) Bee Area on the very back hill of the property.

Rainer setting the hive frame

Work also continues on the basement office, with all sorts of new shelving and a gleaming wood counter in the brightly painted space. Soon we’ll be able to move the office functions (and that whole tangle of wires) out of the living/dining room, making it a more restful and welcoming area.

We’re so grateful for all the volunteer work going on here! It’s essential for our functioning now, and is the living expression of practice and community.

Around the Bend


Guest Resident Arriving

Soon we’ll be welcoming Vlastik Karlik as a new resident. Vlastik, who is from the Czech Republic, is a longtime member of the Polish sangha and a former staff member there. He will be with us from the end of March till June, and will then return to Europe to attend the summer (July) sesshin at the Polish center.


Windhorse Workshop on March 27

We encourage everyone who wants to participate in the practice at Windhorse to attend an introductory workshop at the Center. These workshops give a solid foundation in the basic teachings of Zen, as well as in-depth posture points that you may not get otherwise. And they’re cheap – only $25 if you pre-register – and that includes lunch!

This Week’s Schedule


Tuesday, March 16 (tonight)

This Tuesday we’ll have our usual evening schedule: 3 rounds of zazen with dokusan (with Sunya-sensei) and chanting; 7- 9 at Panther Branch.

Thursday evening, March 18

We’ll hold to our basic schedule this evening, with 3 full rounds of zazen with dokusan (with S), finishing with the Four Vows. 7:00 – 9:00

Friday, March 19

Join us if you can for our in-town sitting this Friday, at the zendo on 12 Von Ruck Court: 5:30 – 7:15, with 3 shorter rounds of zazen followed by chanting. Please remember to park in the driveway whenever possible.
(Lawson returns to Asheville this evening.)


Sunday Morning, March 21

On this first full day of SPRING, we’ll hold our usual Sunday morning program: zazen, chanting and teisho, 9:30–11:30, followed by a vegetarian potluck brunch.

At High Noon we’ll have an important Sangha Meeting, our first of 2010, and are hoping for a good turnout. Many matters to discuss; we’ll keep it as concise and delightful as possible.

primed hive boxes

Feels like Spring

The water catchment area being restored

This Week’s Schedule


Tuesday, March 9 (tonight)

We’ll sit the usual Tuesday evening schedule at Panther Branch: 2 1/2 rounds of zazen with dokusan, ending with a chanting service. 7:00 – 9:00
Thursday, March 11

The regular schedule this week: 3 full rounds of zazen, ending with the Four Vows, 7-9 pm. at Panther Branch.

Sangha has a conference on landscaping...

Ginger, Valeria, Andy, Sensei Sunya, Sensei Lawson, Bulldozer Guy

Friday, March 12

We’ll hold our weekly in-town sitting (at 12 Von Ruck Ct.): 5:30-7:15, 3 shorter rounds of zazen with chanting.

Sunday, March 14 – Time Change!

We’ll be setting our clocks ahead an hour on Saturday night, to “Spring Forward” into Sunday – this mysterious annual rite that gulps up an hour and often leaves people feeling sleep-deprived. We hope you’ll join us nonetheless for the Sunday chanting and teisho, 9:30-11:30, with tea afterward, and the sharing of whatever vegetarian dishes people may bring along.


April Sesshin Applications

Applications for the upcoming 5-day sesshin, April 6-11, are due by midnight on the New Moon (Monday, March 15). Applications can be downloaded from the website, or you can pick them up at the Center.


Coming Up – Important Sangha Meeting

We’ll have our first Sangha Meeting of 2010 on Sunday, March 21 – the first full day of Spring. Please plan to come, if at all possible – we need you! Many things need to be decided that will affect everyone involved in Windhorse, and we also want to let people know what’s happening here on many fronts. The winds of change are blowing . . .
 

Valeria, Sensei Lawson and Ginger planning....

We Resume

Residents’ Break:

As mentioned in the last update before sesshin, residents at Panther Branch are taking a 4-day break from last Wednesday through tomorrow, Feb. 20. This means there will be no sitting in town this evening.

Sunday Programs Resume
This Sunday, February 21, we’ll hold our first Sunday program in some weeks: zazen, chanting and teisho, starting promptly at 9:30, ending by 11:30, and followed by tea and whatever vegetarian potluck offerings people bring. (If you’re late, please sit in the Kannon room until someone comes to get you at the halfway point, or until kinhin.)

Sunya in Poland
After unexpected obstacles, Sunya left a day late for Poland. She has arrived safely and is busy preparing for the upcoming 6-day sesshin there, with some 41 people attending. (As it turns out, if she had arrived on schedule her plane would have been diverted to another city in Poland, possibly even overnight – the control tower was out of order that day.) Sunya hopes to return according to schedule on the night of March 4.

And next week --

Tuesday, February 23

We’ll sit the usual Tuesday evening schedule at Panther Branch: 2 1/2 rounds of zazen with dokusan, ending with a chanting service. 7:00 – 9:00

Thursday, February 25

The regular schedule holds: 3 full rounds of zazen, ending with the Four Vows, 7-9 pm. at Panther Branch.

Friday, February 26

We’ll hold the regular in-town sitting (at 12 Von Ruck Ct.): 5:30-7:15, 3 shorter rounds of zazen with chanting.

Sunday, February 28 – Full Moon

Come maximize the Full Moon energy by gathering with others for zazen, chanting and teisho on this last morning of February. 9:30-11:30, with tea afterward, and the sharing of whatever vegetarian dishes people may bring.

“When two flatterers meet, the devil goes to lunch.”

(one of Roshi Kapleau’s favorites)

Weather's rolling...

Looks like some Weather’s rolling into our region -- predictions of a major snowfall tomorrow and Saturday, with sleet and ice possible. (How like the Full Moon to get dramatic!) So we’re reluctantly canceling our well-attended in-town sitting tomorrow evening. If tomorrow we see that the forecast is at odds with reality and the coast is clear, we’ll send out another email that the sitting’s on. If you haven’t received such an email by 3:30, then the Friday sitting’s not happening this week. We'll do zazen here at Panther Branch.


In the meantime, in the event of another power outage, we’re exercising our special powers by gathering wood and carrying full water bottles down to the basement. (For those of you who weren’t at last Sunday’s teisho, or haven’t read those famous words of Layman P’ang, you’ll find his verse at the bottom of this update.)

This Week’s Schedule

Thursday, January 28 (tonight)

The sitting on Thursday evenings consists simply of 3 full rounds of zazen with dokusan, ending with the Four Vows. 7:00 – 9:00

Friday, January 29 (See above)

Full Moon!

Sunday, January 31

Weather permitting, we’ll hold our usual Sunday morning program: zazen, chanting and teisho, 9:30–11:30, followed by tea, and whatever vegetarian brunch offerings people may bring to share.

Predictions are for a clear but VERY cold Sunday. If you have any questions about road conditions in our area, please just call us at 828-645-8001.

Tuesday, February

On Ground Hog Day, we’ll have our usual evening sitting at Panther Branch: 2 ½ rounds with dokusan, ending with a chanting service, 7:00-9:00.

Layman P’ang’s Verse:

In my daily life there are no other chores than

Those that happen to fall into my hands.

Nothing I choose, nothing reject.

Nowhere is there ado, nowhere a slip.

I have no other emblem of my glory than

The mountains and hills without a speck of dust.

My magical power and spiritual exercise consist in

Carrying water and gathering firewood.

 

Quite a few people...

Quite a few people here this morning, brainstorming, prioritizing, and figuring out the best ways to implement a whole range of ideas, to help us get a fresh start at Windhorse. More members are showing up to volunteer time and energy at the Center, a trend that is not only enormously helpful – especially now with fewer residents to manage things – but it also gives a stronger, livelier sense of community.


After the meeting we set up an extra table on the back deck and enjoyed a big Mexican-style meal together in the bright warm sunshine. What a gorgeous day in these sweet mountains!

This Week’s Schedule

Tuesday, January 19 (tonight)

We’ll have our usual evening sitting at Panther Branch: 2 ½ rounds with dokusan, ending with a chanting service, 7:00-9:00.

Thursday, January 21

Lawson leaves in the afternoon for Florida, where he’ll be conducting a weekend sesshin for the Clearwater sangha. He returns next Monday.

We’ll hold to our basic schedule this evening, with 3 full rounds of zazen, finishing with the Four Vows. 7:00 – 9:00

Friday, January 22

Join us if you can for our in-town sitting this Friday, 5:30 – 7:15, with 3 shorter rounds of zazen and chanting. Last week we had a full house, with a special service for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti – powerful chanting in that zendo on 12 Von Ruck Court. And there's new side-lighting that really warms up the atmosphere.

Please remember to park in the driveway whenever possible.

Sunday, January 24

We’ll hold our usual Sunday morning program: zazen, chanting and teisho, 9:30–11:30, followed by a vegetarian potluck brunch.

Please Note: NO ONE IS IN ANY WAY REQUIRED TO BRING A DISH FOR THIS BRUNCH! If you can bring something, great; if not, please don’t let this keep you from coming! If no one brings anything, we’ll just have tea together, and everyone will leave to find food afterward. It truly is 'pot luck.' It can be a real strain for busy people to try to prepare a dish on a Saturday night or Sunday morning. The main thing is to sit together; anything else is a bonus.

Also: Latecomers will need to sit in the Kannon room if there’s no space in the zendo.

Wintery Days at Windhorse

Despite the snowy weather, a number of volunteers arrived at the Center this morning to help out with work in all sorts of ways: fixing a leaky sink, finishing the drywall work in room 4, running the tractor and chainsaw to clean up some of the wreckage left in the wake of December’s snowstorm, and conferring on matters involving the website and our general direction for 2010. It’s a hoppin’ place, inside and out!

Now the lunch bell’s ringing – outdoor workers are coming in to a fire blazing in the hearth and the fragrance of curry filling the house. (If you think this is a shameless attempt to lure more volunteers to Windhorse, you’re right. Please consider joining the crew here, if ever you have some free time to offer.)

This Week’s Schedule

Tuesday, January 12 (tonight)

We’ll have our usual evening sitting at Panther Branch: 2 ½ rounds with dokusan, ending with a chanting service, 7:00-9:00.

Thursday, January 14

We’ll hold to our basic schedule on this night, with 3 full rounds of zazen, finishing with the Four Vows. 7:00 – 9:00

Friday, January 15

Assuming our mountain road conditions won’t cause us to cancel again, we’ll have our first in-town sitting of the year this Friday, with 3 shorter rounds of zazen and chanting. We meet at the zendo on 12 Von Ruck Court. 5:30 – 7:15.

Please remember to park in the driveway whenever possible.

Saturday, January 16

As mentioned in last week’s update, we’ll hold a workshop at Panther Branch this Saturday from 9:45 till 1:30: ‘Original Nature– An Introduction to Zen Meditation.’ If you’ve never been to one of these introductory workshops, do consider attending this one. We don’t have them often, and with talks and discussions and a detailed posture demonstration, they provide an excellent foundation for Zen practice.

Call or email the Center for more info or to register. It’s only $25 with early registration ($35 at the door), and that includes lunch.

Sunday, January 17

We’ll hold our usual Sunday morning program: zazen, chanting and teisho, 9:30–11:30, followed by a vegetarian potluck brunch.

A couple of points: Robes are not required, but please wear loose, non-eye-catching clothing (not white or bright colors, no words or pictures, etc.) If people arrive at least a few minutes early, it’s a lot easier for us to set up the zendo and start on time.

Next Sesshin: Saturday, Feb. 6 through Feb. 13. Deadline to apply: 1/18 (next Monday).