WELCOME TO THE DECEMBER NEWSLETTER
As the earth tilts into the equinox, we take this time of darkening skies to reflect and contemplate the past year and consider which qualities we would like to cultivate in the new year. What qualities would you like to strengthen in the new year? What old patterns are you ready to loosen? How can we each be of use to the world in our unique ways? These are questions we ask ourselves here at the Center.
In this newsletter you will find: updates on the February Contemplative Care Retreat (yes, there are still openings), announcing our 2010/11 Foundations in Buddhist Contemplative Care Training, a Dharma talk by Koshin, a poem by W.S. Merwin, and many other offerings.
You have already received our year end appeal letter. As we grow together into our fourth year, please consider offering the Center a meaningful gift.
May you and all being have a beautiful month of ease and joy.
In the Dharma,
Koshin + Chodo
Co-Founders
Trudi Jinpu Hirsch Abramson Speaks At Calvary Hospital
On October 25, Jinpu was invited to speak at Calvary Hospital’s Third Annual Pastoral Care Day. Calvary is a fully accredited specialty hospital, in the Bronx, dedicated to providing advance-staged cancer patients with the most comprehensive care: palliative care. Jinpu spoke about the intersection of Buddhism and Professional Chaplaincy and she ran two individual teachings on Symbolic Stories and Active Listening. She was joined by chaplains from other faiths and was happy to report that everyone touched on the key importance of being a compassionate presence.
Roshi and Koshin Speak at Meditate NYC
On November 7, Koshin and Enkyo Roshi spoke at Meditate NYC. Roshi was the co-MC for the event and spoke about the importance of meditation practice, and Koshin gave a talk about the deep connection between mediation practice and the contemplative care giving. It was a wonderful day of teachings from the many traditions of the Dharma here in New York City. Jesse Jiryu Davis, who took the above photos, along with other members of the NY Buddhist Council did a beautiful job in creating such a harmonious event. The day of teachings was followed by a series of open houses at the various centers. We have been happy to meet the people from Meditate NYC at our weekly Sangha Gathering on Mondays.
Chodo Speaks On Anger and Mindfulness at the Queens Veterans Affairs Hospital
On November 12, Chodo spoke on Anger and Mindfulness with a group of 40 veterans at the VA hospital in Queens. He had been invited by a young soldier who heard him speak at another dharma center in NYC—in which Chodo had referenced his own journey of recovery, on Buddhist practice and chaplaincy. He shared this with us about his experience: “I spoke of my own relationship to anger and how “always coming back to my breath” helps me to control the demons that arise in me. These guys were great. They were so open to listening to ‘the Buddhist Guy with the shaved head and weird karate outfit,’ and they were vulnerable in their own sharing with a genuine curiosity about mindful practice and meditation. I don’t know what impact an hour long meeting will have for the men I had the honor to be with but for myself, the morning will remain one of the highlights of 2009.”
REGISRATION NOW OPEN: NYZCCC Sangha Annual Contemplative Care Retreat: February 11-14, 2010
Join the Core Teachers and the NYZCCC Sangha for four days at the Guest House—a beautiful new retreat center in the scenic Connecticut River Valley. In this retreat, we will take a deep look at how to integrate contemplative practice with care giving, whether at home or in the work place. Combining Buddhist teachings with periods of sitting and walking meditation, didactics, small group work, question and answer periods, this retreat will provide an opportunity to explore the depths of our inner wisdom and compassion. Most importantly, this will be a time to look at how we can take care of ourselves whilst taking care of others.
Guest House offers spacious guest rooms all with private bathrooms, superb vegetarian cuisine, and a nurturing and comfortable environment for restoration and meditation. The center is a renovated country inn on private wooded land, adjacent to a state forest with hiking trails and two neighboring lakes. Conveniently located midway between New York City and Boston, Guest House is easily reachable via major highways or by train.
The retreat will be especially beneficial to doctors, nurses, psychotherapists, social workers, chaplains, and lay caregivers. Come and connect. All are welcome. Space is limited. Register early.
For more information, click here.
Contemplative Care Sangha
Are you someone who is interested or engaged in caregiving and Buddhist practice? Whether you are working as a professional, interested in care giving and Buddhist practice or simply taking care of someone else as a family member or a friend, you are welcome. Come sit in quiet meditation, listen to a dharma talk and engage in dialog with like minded people. Come practice with the NYZCCC Sangha every Monday at OM yoga from 6 to 7:30 pm. All are welcome.
For more info, click here.
Applications for the Foundations in Buddhist Contemplative Care Training Program are now being received for the 2010-2011 academic year. Please apply early as space is limited.
Are you ready to train in contemplative care skills for year with other like-minded people? Our Foundations in Buddhist Contemplative Care Training Program is designed to meet the needs of people in a variety of ways:
- Building a community of caregivers interested in integrating caregiving with contemplative practices.
- Beginning training for those interested in becoming volunteer or professional caregivers in your local community, hospitals, hospices, and other places where spiritual care is needed.
- Basic training in spiritual care: attending the sick and dying, performing ritual, and offering spiritual direction.
For more information, FAQs, and the application, please go here.
Koshin Paley Ellison on Avoiding Disaster
A warning against dozing
Passing an upturned carriage,
The driver’s suddenly awakened.
Surrendering to sleep invites disaster.
—Ikkyu Sojun (1394-1481)
Ikkyu is my favorite. He was a Zen priest and Abbot of Daitokuji, Kyoto’s famed temple complex, but he quickly (after nine days) resigned and denounced the monks who were secretly go out to bars and whorehouses. What he took issue with was not whorehouses and bars but the hypocrisy of pretending to be pure. He himself left the monastery fell in love and continued to write brilliant poems until his death. How are you pretending? How are you integrating practice as life? We as people are funny in this way—splitting apart our lives —not being direct about what is in front of us.
[To read the full Dharma Talk, click here.]
To Waiting
You spend so much of your time
expecting to become
someone else
always someone
who will be different
someone to whom a moment
whatever moment it may be
at last has come
and who has been
met and transformed
into no longer being you
and so has forgotten you
meanwhile in your life
you hardly notice the world around you lights changing
sirens dying along the buildings
your eyes intent
on a sight you do not see yet
not yet there
as long as you
are only yourself
with whom as you
recall you were
never happy
to be left alone for long
—W.S. MERWIN
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