Meditation, conversation, a talk, tea...

Monday September 2, 2013

No, and Other Important Questions (https://www.pacificzen.org/john-tarrant-teaching-at-santa-rosa-creek-zendo/)https://www.pacificzen.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/JT-Horiz-540x145.jpg

Meditation and a talk by John Tarrant, Roshi
Monday September 2, 2013 - 7- 9pm
Santa Rosa Creek Zen Center

Koans and meditation change your life by subtly and not so subtly undermining worn-out thoughts and suffering. A koan doesn’t hide or even manage fear or despair or rage or anything that appears in your mind. Instead, with a koan you might stop finding fault with what your mind presents, stop assuming you already know what your thoughts and feelings are about and how they need to be handled. At some stage my thoughts stopped being compelling and I found a joy in what was advancing towards me. Everyone thinks you need a patch of earth to stand on or you will fall down. Your patch of earth might be someone’s approval or a certain amount of money. When the koan opens, you don’t need somewhere to stand, or a handle on your experience.

• John Tarrant

This is a talk with PZI director and author John Tarrant (http://www.pacificzen.org/teachers-2/john-tarrant/), Roshi, author of Bring Me the Rhinoceros and other Zen Koans to Save Your Life (http://www.shambhala.com/bring-me-the-rhinoceros.html). There will be meditation, tea, a talk and conversation. All are welcome.

Monday Nights 7-9pmMeditation and a talk

At Pacific Zen Institute's Santa Rosa Zen Center Monday night includes Zen meditation, a talk, tea, discussion and a short sutra service. Everyone is welcome, no experience is necessary, you can meditate by just sitting down with us and following the basic instructions. We meet Monday evenings from 7-9pm — please arrive by 6:50pm to get settled. Our speakers include Pacific Zen Institute director, John Tarrant, Roshi (http://www.pacificzen.org/teachers-2/john-tarrant/), who is the speaker on the first Monday of each month, as well other Pacific Zen teachers and leaders. The talks are about the koan for the evening and how it relates to practice and life. Conversations allow all of us to ask questions and talk about what we noticed and its implications in our lives and experiences.

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