For our ongoing schedule please see our website at smszen.org
Upcoming event this Sunday!
Faces of Death
NOVEMBER
Saturday November 2:Ceremony for the Beloved Dead
The Great Wheel of the Seasons
This is one of the ceremonies our founding teacher, Joan Sutherland, designed for us to use (and to further evolve). On All Souls Day, Dia de los Muertes, we gather in a simple ceremony to remember those we care about who have died.
We’ll hold it at Shove Chapel
during our Saturday morning meditation,
8:00 AM on Saturday, November 2
Monday November 4: Sutra Service with Sarah Bender leading. You are invited to bring in your created sutras.
Sunday November 10: All Sangha Meeting (see below)
Monday November 11: Community Night: Meditation and lively discussion with tea and cookies.
We will continue to collect food and clothing for our greater community. In addition there is a request for gently used blankets and towels:https://gallery.mailchimp.com/bbc7215f79587650dd5f75ed6/images/8e884ded-ecf9-4a52-8fa2-dae1120d3c7e.jpg
Saturday November 16: Work in the room with Sarah Bender
Monday November 18: Dharma Talk with Sarah Bender, Roshi (location TBD)
Tuesday November 19: EcoDharma at Creek Bend (see below)
Monday November 25: Dharma Talk with Andrew Palmer, Sensei
Koan Study
Our study continues from October through November
Saturday November 2 10:00 to 12:00
Sunday November 17 3-5:00
Saturday November 23 10 – 12:00
ALL SANGHA MEETING
When: November 10th 4-7:00PM
Where: Creek Bend Zendo
7528 Jenkin Place 80919
What: This is our time to get together, share a meal, catch up with each other a bit, celebrate community and share our creative vision for our sangha. Our future life a a community of deep heart inquiry and generous action depends on your wisdom and commitment.
This is a vegetarian pot luck dinner as well as a meeting.
Contact: Liz Cramer elizabeth.cramer51@gmail.com
EcoDharma
SMS EcoDharma – The Great Koan of Our Time – where our ecological crisis meets the dharma.
After eight meetings of birthing and discovery, the SMS EcoDharma group has arrived!
Join Sarah Bender, Roshi and our dedicated group as we pilgrimage together on this Ecosattva path. Is it calling to you too?
The coyotes cry out at Creek Bend Zendo- we open the door to truly listen. Our Open Source Roshi, Joan Sutherland, writes, “ Rilke once said that the future enters us before it happens so that it might be transformed in us. Starfish and kelp, abalone, coyote, and all the other creatures pour into us, whispering crying shouting Already like this. We will transform the future we share with them, one way or the other. Will we be the Ark or the Titanic?”
Here, at Creek Bend Zendo Land and Gardens (now a designated Certified Wildlife Habitat), the Ark-focused community participates, heart-to-heart, once a month in meditation, ethical inquiry, working with emotions, with art as a force of expression (including koans), in factual investigation, and activism meeting contemplation.
There is possibility, in between monthly meetings, for salon gatherings, eco-film screenings, barn dancing (yes we need fun too), journaling, and rubber-meets-the-road action such as the Global Climate Strike in which 6 of us participated.
It’s all here and you should be too if this rings your bell! –What you do matters
Third Tuesday of the month, 6:30pm-8 o’clock
7528 Jenkin Place 80919
E-Zoom participation available
Contact Debbie for more info #719-209-2260 or gardenmail@msn.com
LOOKING AHEAD
DECEMBER
Bodhi Day Retreat
at Creek Bend
Sunday December 8th
9 am to 9 pm
Saturday December 7:
Sunday December 8:
Bodhi Day Retreat
This retreat celebrates awakening: that of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, our own, and the awakening of all beings. As winter approaches, we plunge into the radiant darkness and join this mystery.
Watch the newsletter for details closer to the time.
Tuesday December 17: Ecodharma at Creek Bend
Saturday December 21: Winter Solstice Ceremony
When: Morning meditation at 8 AM
Here is the link to our 2019 calendar. https://gallery.mailchimp.com/bbc7215f79587650dd5f75ed6/files/ae40372a-4968-49c2-82e3-0d4623ea22da/2019_Calendar_Notes_Nov_9_.doc This is provided for you to plan ahead, particularly for retreats.