Photo from dinner at Viet’s Pho Restaurant Oct. 6
Special Events
Some upcoming meetings and special events
Business Meeting Sept. 22
On Sunday, Sept. 22, we will have our regular chanting and seated meditation followed by a business meeting. At a business meeting all Sangha members present have a chance to voice their opinions and vote on issues affecting the Sangha. One of the agenda items for this time is what to do on the first Sundays of the month when daylight savings ends and we normally move our meeting time to 4:00 p.m. Starting in October, on the first Sundays of the month the Zen Center will be having full-day sits running until 4:00 which means that on those days we will not be able to shift the time. Some of the options to consider are to continue meeting at 5:00 p.m. through the winter, to meet at 5:00 only on the first Sunday of the month and 4:00 on other Sundays, to meet elsewhere, or to have some other event, such as dinner at a restaurant, on those days. Another agenda item is how to handle questions during Dharma discussion. Members are encouraged to ask questions before or after the Sangha meetings rather than during Dharma sharing. The “no crosstalk” rule prohibits answering questions directly during Dharma sharing, but one option would be to suspend Dharma sharing briefly to answer questions.
If you have any other concerns or business items relating to the Sangha please feel to contact one of the Sangha organizers to add to the agenda, or you may bring them to our business meeting on the 22nd.
Sangha Dinner Oct. 6
Some members have expressed the desire to have more opportunity to socialize. On Sunday Oct. 6 instead of meeting at AZC we will meet at 5:00 p.m. at Viet’s Pho restaurant. It is located on the south side of Menaul at the corner of Graceland, which is one block west of Washington. The Sangha treasury will pay for a meal for those members who attend. There will be no regular Sangha meeting at the Albuquerque Zen Center on this day.
Day of Mindfulness Oct. 13
On Sunday Oct. 13 please join us from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a Day of Mindfulness at the Kiwanis Area of the Elena Gallegos Open Space. This is a lovely, rejuvenating practice. A flyer with more details has been posted on this website in a previous post. There will be no regular meeting at the Albuquerque Zen Center that day.
Some photos from retreat at Norbertine Center
(Photos courtesy of Ira Flushman)
Our altar
Our bell
Our teacher, Terry Cortes-Vega
Our musician Nhu Mai with Bee, one of the organizers
Singing around the fire pit
Calligraphy meditation
Some mindful walking
Some more mindful walking
A happy group at the end of the retreat
Some upcoming spiritually-oriented classes offered in Albuquerque
Offered through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) and taught by Jon Nimitz, Ph.D. All will be in-person at UNM Continuing Education, 1634 University Blvd. NE, South Building. Registration by phone (505-277-0077), fax (505-277-1990), mail, online, or in person. Osher membership is $20 a year, sometimes rebated toward class registration. Info and registration available at http://ce.unm.edu/olli/. An Osher catalog listing many interesting and inexpensive classes on a variety of subjects is available for free on request or by visiting the office.
BUDDHISM
Buddhism appeals to many Westerners because it’s nonjudgmental, requires no faith, and teaches ways to reduce suffering. It encourages personal responsibility, mindfulness, and compassion for ourselves and others. In this class we’ll discuss the life and times of the prince who became the Buddha, his search for enlightenment, his teachings, the historical development of Buddhism, plus current branches and their practices. We’ll also discuss the work of some modern-day teachers including the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, and several prominent American authors. We’ll enjoy slide shows, videos, and readings, as well as discussions. This class assumes no prior knowledge, but also goes into reasonable depth to interest those with some experience. It’s designed not as a dry academic exercise, but to provide and expand tools for a happier life. Four two-hour meetings, Friday mornings 10 a.m to noon, June 9-30, 2023. Registration $55 (course 19813).
THE ZEN OF THICH NHAT HANH
Thich Nhat Hanh was a Buddhist monk and Zen master from Vietnam. He was a poet, writer, teacher, and peace activist, and was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His students knew him affectionately as “Thay” (Vietnamese for teacher). In three class meetings we’ll cover (1) the basics of Buddhism, (2) the history and teachings of Zen, and (3) Thay’s main teachings and practices. We’ll enjoy slide shows, videos, readings, and discussions. No prior knowledge is assumed, we’ll start with the basics, but will also go into reasonable depth to interest those with some experience. Three two-hour meetings, Friday mornings 10 a.m. to noon, July 14-28, 2023. Registration approx. $45 (course 19831).
SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
What is spiritual awakening, and how can we attain it, or at least move in that direction? Is enlightenment gradual or sudden? Hint: this class will bring you one step closer! Throughout the centuries several traditions have taught ways to become more enlightened. We will focus on spiritual teachings from Hinduism, Buddhism, 12-step programs, and Eckhart Tolle. With slide shows, videos, class discussions, and at home we will explore practices including meditation, mindfulness, gratitude, chanting, and experiencing nature, music, and poetry. Five two-hour meetings, Fridays 10 a.m. to noon, Sept. 1-29, 2023. Registration approx. $65 (course 19826).
Updated flyer and registration form for retreat May 31-April 2
Below is an updated flyer for the upcoming retreat.
As of February 15, about 20 attendees are registered out of 40 maximum, and 11 out of 16 available rooms have been rented. The deadline for receipt of room reservations is March 1, and the deadline for registration for attendance only has been extended to March 22. Besides writing and mailing in a check, it is possible to make payment by bringing cash or check to a Sangha meeting, or by sending funds by Paypal to the email address listed in the flyer, adding 3% to cover PayPal fees.
We look forward to seeing those able to attend!
Quiet Mind Sangha Albuquerque 