It has been about a week and a half since Koji and I rolled in, on a Friday evening, after a long cross-country road trip through deserts and mountains. We arrived to find our beautiful little zendo and our amazing housemates and friends. Our welcoming weekend was full, including a book fair, 2 secondlines, music shows, and of course, zazen. There is something so perfect about living in a space where I have to take off my shoes first, and as the door opens the smell of incense from early morning still lingers. We are settling in. I am grateful to be home again.
We had our first full moon ceremony here at Mid City Zen. We avowed our ancient twisted karma, took refuge and recited the precepts together. It was very sweet, most of the sangha had never done this ceremony before, and its not exactly the most obvious or intuitive ritual! I am really impressed and moved by everyone's willingness and enthusiasm to dive into the unknown, taking vows and doing bow after bow, and reciting names of Buddha's they might not know.
We will be sitting on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 6am and 6:35am followed by chanting ceremony. We continue to have Tuesday evening zazen at 7pm and Dharma talk on Thursday evening at 7.
On Sundays, at 9:30 we will have introduction to Zen meditation followed by our usual 10am zazen and chanting... and donuts! (with coffee)
Its all unfolding, we are so happy to join the Sangha and practice together...
love,
rev. michaela
