Intro Meditation Class Next Week

Meditation Friends: If you or anyone you know is interested, I'll be teaching another introductory meditation class at Callanan Middle School in Des Moines the next two Wednesday evenings. Details follow. (I'll teach this class again March 28 and April 4; if interested in that one, do not register yet but contact the Community Education Program - see below - and ask to receive their class announcements.) Peace, Charlie

INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION AND MINDFULNESS: This is an introductory meditation class 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Wednesdays, January 18 and 25, for the Des Moines Public School Community Education Program. I'll teach regular sitting meditation, lovingkindness and compassion meditations, standing and walking meditations, eating meditation, and different mindfulness practices, as well as a brief introduction to Buddhist philosophy. The class will be in Room 235 at Callanan Middle School, 31st & Pleasant Stl, Des Moines.. The class is $30. To register call 242-8521 or www.dmced.org or register when you come to class. Peace, Charlie

Zen Center Book Study Group

The Des Moines Zen Center is starting a Buddhist Book Study Group which will meet twice-monthly on the second Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. and the fourth Saturday at 1:00 pm.

Not Always So: Practicing the  True Spirit of Zen by Shunryu Suzuki will be the first book. It is not necessary to buy or read the book unless you want to.

The Zen Center meets in the lower floor of the home at 4116 Oak Forest Drive in Des Moines, located several blocks south of Grand Ave. on the southeast corner of 42nd St. and Oak Forest Dr. Please park on 42nd St. and enter the house through the west-facing basement door.

See the website http://www.dmzencenter.org for more details.

Meditation Retreat in Davenport Jan. 14

Please Join the Quad City Meditation Group for a.....

DAY OF MINDFULNESS

“Understanding & Developing the Spacious Mind”

A Meditation Retreat with DAVE HASKIN, O/I, member of the Snow Flower Sangha of Madison, WI

Saturday, January 14th, 10 am – 4 pm

at St. Ambrose University (Christ the King Chapel Gathering Space) in Davenport, IA

For more information and to access downloadable registration form click  HERE  (meditationqc.org;  click on “Day of mindfulness information” link located on top-right menu bar) Registration is by U.S. mail only.  Confirmation will be provided by e-mail.

"Barn's burnt down...now I can see the moon"

"Barn's burnt down
now I can
see the moon."

by Mizuta Masahide, a seventeenth century Japanese poet who studied under Matsuo Bashō. This is my favorite Zen poem and seemed a natural post to follow the previous one:  "Thank you for everything. I have no complaint whatsever."

"Thank You for Everything. I Have No Complaint Whatsoever."

"Thank you for everything. I have no complaint whatsoever." What a wonderful Thanksgiving Day mantra.  Zen Master Sono advised repeating this affirmation several times a day under all  conditions.  It was also her response to every question and issue raised by students, according to Alan Cohen in his article, "Thank you for everything." Click here to read Cohen's article.

And thank you for everything. I have no complaint whatsoever.   Have an outrageously happy Thanksgiving...everyday! Peace,  Charlie