Santa Rosa Monday Evening Program Autumn 2013 through January 2014

The evening begins with two 25 minute silent meditation periods interspersed with a period of walking meditation; sutra service, tea, dharma talk, dedication and discussion follow. 
Time: 6:50pm to 9:00pm
Place: Unitarian Universalist Congregation 547 Mendocino Ave. Santa Rosa, CA. 
Bring: Your own cushion and mat or meditation bench. Chairs provided.
Suggested Donation: $10.
If you are new to CityZen: Please arrive 15 minutes ahead of the 7:00pm opening bell to receive orientation on zendo protocols.
For questions or to receive more information about CityZen: Please contact our Head of Practice, Michelle Brandt, at cshell8@gmail.com

UPCOMING PROGRAM AND SPEAKERS

Oct 7   CORE ZEN Rev. Christopher Bell, Chant Leader
Oct 14 Rachel Mansfield-Howlett, Roshi
Oct 21 Michelle Brandt, Head of Practice
Oct 28 SAVE A GHOST – REMEMBERING THE ANCESTORS Rachel Mansfield-Howlett, Roshi  (Hot cider and pumpkin pie will be served)
Nov 4  Rachel Mansfield-Howlett, Roshi

Nov 8-13 AUTUMN SESSHIN at St. Dorothy's Rest, Camp Meeker, CA. 
  • Seats for the EVENING SITTING AND FIRESIDE DHARMA TALK with Rachel Mansfield-Howlett, Roshi Sat. through Tues. are available. (6:50 to 7:20pm meditation and arrival; 7:30-8:30pm Dharma talk.) Cost: dana donation for teacher is appreciated; no reservation needed.
  • Seats for the MORNING SITTING AND DHARMA TALK on Monday (Megan Rundel) and Tuesday (Michelle Brandt) are available. (8:50am meditation, sutra service, and arrival; 10:00 to 11:00am dharma talk) Cost: dana donation for speaker is appreciated; no reservation needed.
  • JAPANESE BRUSH CALLIGRAPHY SESSIONS with Brian Howlett, sensei on Monday and Tuesday afternoons. (1:50 to 2:20pm meditation and arrival; 2:30 to 3:30pm calligraphy) Cost: $50. Pre-registration required.
  • REFUGE CEREMONY (Sunday afternoon, 1:50 to 2:30pm meditation and arrival; Refuge Ceremony 2:30 to 3:30pm; Refuge Reception 3:30 to 4:30pm. Cost: no charge, reservation required.
  • FULL TIME RESIDENTIAL retreat spaces are full.
  • For reservations, please CONTACT: Gary Brandt at gbrandt@sonic.net
Nov 18  Rachel Mansfield-Howlett, Roshi
Nov 25  CORE ZEN – Deanna Hopper, Dharma Hall Practice Member
Dec 2    Michelle Brandt, Head of Practice
Dec 9    ON BUDDHA'S AWAKENING – STORY OF THE BUDDHA FROM BIRTH TO AWAKENING – Rachel Mansfield-Howlett Roshi (Lemon ginger cake and our house tea will be served.)
Dec 16  CORE ZEN – Rev. Christopher Bell, Chant Leader
Dec 23   CLOSED
Dec 30  108 BELLS – Michelle Brandt, Head of Practice – We'll take turns ringing in 108 bells for the New Year (Sparkling cider and Italian wedding cookies will be served.)

Dec 31 AFTERNOON OPEN HOUSE and OPEN STUDIO at the home of Mansfield-Howlett in Santa Rosa 1:00pm to 5:00pm (RSVP rhowlettlaw@gmail.com to receive directions.) Activities: make your own Winter Weathergram to take home. (pictured left)

Jan 6    CORE ZEN Deanna Hopper, Dharma Hall Practice Member
Jan 13  Rachel Mansfield-Howlett, Roshi
Jan 20  Michelle Brandt, Head of Practice
Jan 27  Rachel Mansfield-Howlett, Roshi


Saturday Morning Half-Day Retreat with Rachel Mansfield-Howlett, Roshi



July 13, 2013 
7:00am-12:00pm
Unitarian Universalist Congregation 547 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA
 
COST: $40.0

Part-time: Donation only, for those attending an hour or two.
Invite a friend to come (for free) for Introduction to Zen practicePlease pay at the door with check or cash. No one turned away for lack of funds. 


BRING: Zafu and zabuton. Chairs provided.

RESERVATIONS: Gary Brandt: gbrandt@sonic.net

SCHEDULE:
6:40am        Set up and arrival
7:00-7:30    Introduction to Meditation and Koans

7:30-9:30     4 sitting periods (25 min each) interspersed with walking meditation
9:30-10:30   Tea, snack, Dharma talk & discussion
10:30-10:40  Break
10:40-12:00  Continued sitting/walking 
12:00-12:15  Close
12:15-1:15    Walk to lunch at Sizzling Tandoor
Sanzen (meetings with teacher) will be offered during meditation periods.



Sitting together in this way is always a nice boost for our practice and the sangha as a whole. 

We hope you will join us.