"Peace of mind is that mental condition in which you have accepted the worst." --Lin Yutang.
Each of our Sunday night sessions is organized into several components:
1) The study of Zen. We explore a Zen topic for roughly 30 minutes. During this time we either (a) hear part of a recorded lecture, (b) view a short video on Zen Buddhism, or (c) listen to an excerpt from a tract written by a classic Zen master as read by one of the leaders or a class member. This is followed by a discussion, if any.
2) Meditate for roughly 20 minutes, then we finish by chanting the centuries-old Heart Sutra.
3) Next we chant the heart sutra, and this is followed by an evening prayer or gatha.
All are welcome, beginners as well as experienced Zen practitioners.
Anyone interested in sitting in with the group should just show up on a Sunday evening. (NOTE: Sessions are suspended until the pandemic goes away.)
Individuals can join the group at any time and need not attend every session to learn and appreciate the benefits of this classic discipline so related to the science of personal psychology and the attainment of what the Buddha referred to as enlightenment.
Class leaders are Don DeMaio and Paul Lewis. They have a long-abiding interest and engagement in Zen Buddhism. Paul has studied Zen for the past 30 years and has been hosting a regular weekly meditation group for the past 12 years. Don is a lifelong student of Zen.
To quote the late great composer Leonard Bernstein:
“Stillness is our most intense mode of action. It is in our moments of deep quiet that is born every idea, emotion, and drive which we eventually honor with the name of action. We reach highest in meditation, and farthest in prayer. In stillness every human being is great.”