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....