Circle of the Lotus Day Retreat

This women's retreat will focus on Restoration and Resilience.


Saturday, April 4 9 am – 6 pm

Black Oak Farm, Swanton , OH (15 min. from Toledo )
Zen Meditation: Relax into the Silence
Do’on Weik, Co-Founder of the Toledo Zen Center , Mother, Farmer, Photographer & Poet www.toledozen.org
Yoga: Restorative & Rejuvenating
Jenn McCullough, Certified Yoga & Meditation Instructor RYT 200 www.integrationyogastudio.com
Nia: Flowing & Celebratory
Deb Reis, Certified Nia Black Belt Instructor www.nianow.com
Special Requests:
1. Eat breakfast before you arrive.
2. Bring a brown bag lunch.
3. Wear comfortable clothes in layers and bring shoes suitable for walking in the woods.
Fee: $55 (includes light snacks & disposable, polaroid cameras)
To register, contact Jenn McCullough at Integration Yoga Studio
(419) A-OM-YOGA (266-9642) yoga.jenn@sbcglobal.net

Experts Say Nation Could Use A Stimulus of Happiness

The Toledo Blade columnist Roberta de Boer did an interview with me for this article in todays paper. The full article is here. Below is an excerpt.

"After years on the fringe, the practice of meditation is now a mainstream and frequently recommended approach to recalibrating racing minds.

"Toledo native Jay Rinsen Weik returned here from Boston in 2001 and founded the Toledo Zen Center.

"One of the main [Buddhist] practices is generosity, because that strikes right at the heart of this cocoon we wind around ourselves, this 'I have to protect me.' That feeling [nationally] is like a thick fog right now: 'We're going down the tubes, baby, and I'm hunkering in.'•"

In fact, Mr. Weik argued, the economic downturn offers an upside.

"We have a great opportunity, actually. When these material things are taken away, what are you going to do? On the other side of it, it's a way of seeing, 'You know what? That wasn't who I was anyway.' I mean, I'd rather have a full retirement account, but there's much more to me than that."

Mr. Weik describes with a Buddhist mindset the weekly meditation practice and periodic gratitude workshops he leads, but he echoes findings in positive psychology..."

"Jay Rinsen Weik, founder of the Toledo Zen Center, finds a silver lining in the economic downturn."
( THE BLADE/LORI KING )

Windhorse

Loving This Life

on the tips of horse hair

on early spring branches

The Great Offering

Shih-T'ou: Identity of Relative and Absolute

Jay Rinsen Weik gives a talk and leads discussion at the Toledo Zen Center on July 30, 2008.

"The mind of the great sage of India was intimately conveyed from West to East.
Among human beings are wise ones and fools, but in the Way there is no northern or southern patriarch."
- Shih-T'ou, Identity of Relative and Absolute

This Drinking Gourd Podcast is available on iTunes or by clicking HERE.

Gyuto Monks

I heard an interesting story on NPR today about a Tibetan monk choir - to coincide with the release of a new CD. The story can be found here, with a link to some of the music. It's an interesting sound . . . Leigh, better start practicing!

At the Hair Salon

inside walmart

a severely disabled boy

slumps 

in the high black chair

Snip Snip Snip

long black points

poke out 

of the back of his head

at the front he

caresses

a finger of his caretaker

sitting

so close

so deep

in the boys

black wheelchair

Completely His.

Video by Prof. Lewis Lancaster: Buddhism in a Global Age of Technology

Found this interesting...

Late winter in Northern Ohio

good by

dear friend

till

we meet again

Good Day

 walking in late winter

birdsong of the branches

I passed a man

sitting in his car

reading the newspaper

blasting the radio

heh man!

Don't you feel it?

turn off the radio

put down the paper

get out of the car

I did not say it

saved by

birds walking

my tongue 

a twisted branch

thank you Bankei

Springtime for Bodhidharma

Untitled

Encountering Shih-Tou (2 of 2): The Song of the Grass Roof Hermitage

Jay Rinsen Weik's retreat workshop on The Song of the Grass Roof Hermitage, recorded at the Toledo Zen Center on July 27, 2008.

"I've built a grass roof hut, where there's nothing of value.
After eating, I relax and enjoy a nap.
When it was completed, fresh weeds appeared.
Now it's been lived in - covered by weeds.
The person in the hut lives here calmly,
not stuck to inside, outside, or in between."
-- Shih-T'ou

Listen to this drinking gourd podcast HERE or via iTunes.

Ikkyu's Daughter

Nia Party

Come  Dance the Green Heart of Being!

Sunday at the  dojo from 4-6.

Suggested donation $5.

Spring

Rain Soaked Wood

ambling along

the forest path

too lazy to raise

a curious eyebrow

in the glistening web 

of late winter branches

No one knows 

our happiness

For Buddhas taking it easy on Spring Break

Come relax with the cat, and watch, "Search of Zhang Zhung" on youtube. Feel free to leave reactions to the film in the comments. It is divided into six parts which can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/user/Lerab
Click For Part One

A bientôt mon ami,
AM.

Liturgy Resources

Bows to Anne Marie for her efforts in transcribing the chants that we use, at long last they are posted and available on this site. I've created a link to them to the left of this post, dig in!

Palms Together,

- Rin

Living the Bodhisattva Life: The Heart of Generosity

This afternoon workshop will be held Sunday March 22nd from 1:30 to 4:30pm, and is the first in a series of workshops in which we will work together with the seemingly paradoxical way a Bodhisattva (spiritual warrior) lives in the world:


“The sage accumulates nothing,
but the more they do for others
the greater their existence;
The more they give to others
the greater their abundance.”
-Lao Tsu

There will also be a half day sit from 9-noon on this day. All are welcome to join in for any or all of this open zendo morning meditation practice.

Suggested Dana: $25.00

Other 2009 Afternoon Workshop Dates are May 2.4th, July 19th, September 20th and November

TZC Community Weekend Retreat at Lourdes College: April 17-19

This weekend retreat, called a “Zazenkai” (to come together for meditation’) will start with a Friday evening check in from 5:30 to 6:00pm, and will continue through Sunday at Noon.

Characterized by silence and deep introspection, Zazenkai is the perfect opportunity to gather together and immerse in an atmosphere of deep intention, contemplative silence and seamless practice. We follow a monastic schedule of Zazen, liturgy, formal meals, zen talks and rest, all in the context of a supportive practice community. Registration required, more info at www.ToledoZen.org

Suggested Dana: $155.00
Other 2009 Zazenkai dates are: June 5-7, August 21-22 (Intro to Zen Weekend) and October 23-25.

The Drinking Gourd Podcast Update

The podcasts of Toledo Zen Center talks and discussions have been reaching many listeners across the country and around the world - to date some 24 thousand podcast downloads have occurred, and as a result, some really amazing developments are in the works!

Firstly, we are developing a Drinking Gourd online forum that will allow our near and far flung listeners to connect with each other and share their reflections on the talks. Secondly, we are planning a a blog/text edition of some of the podcasts. Lastly, the Drinking Gourd Podcast has attracted the interest of a charitable trust which has promised some modest funding if we are able to create a 501(c)3 tax exempt status to receive it. If you know of other possible sources of funding please let us know!

The Drinking Gourd Podcast is available free at www.TheDrinkingGourd.org or via iTunes.

The Flow of Things in Exponential Times.

I found this to be truly interesting. May our practice be strong.

- Rin

Vast Friendship

Fondly

I remember

the room

on the Hudson River

Brightness Pervading Everywhere

Way of Warm Heartedness

face to face

a jewel within a jewel

on the other shore

it has been a long  time

I miss you

yet 

no use 

swirling

about

you are gone

like snow 

on the glistening river

Royal Ease Lullaby

  

with All

That

Is

sleep 

Bess

God 

has 

not 

forsaken

us.

Nia events at the Zen Center

Everyone is invited to  a Nia Party at the Zen Center.  Bring your spouse and the children.  This is  going to be FUN!  Let's dance !  March 15 from 4:00 to 6:00.

The Crystal Bowl  Moving Meditation will be the next weekend following the Ancestors Retreat.

At the Zen Center March 22 from 5:00 to 6:00.

Nia Intensive May 1-7 with Winalee Zeeb.