Great Plains Zen Center Newsletter
September 3 2021
Kitchen Altar
Dear Great Plains Zen Center Community member,
As the weather begins to cool and the signs of the coming of fall are all around, we extend our love and care to all communities - those facing the impacts of Ida, the people of Haiti, those displaced from their homelands, those whose loved ones, friends, homes, jobs, and ways of life have been impacted by the pandemic. May you and your family be well and in safety.
In carefully considering the recommendations of public health and medical experts, the Zen Center continues to ask that participants for all in person actvities be fully vaccinated and able to show proof. We are also requiring masks for almost all indoor activities. Our intention in making this decision is to keep everyone safe to the best of our abilities through our in person guidelines. We recognize that there are many reasons why people have chosen not to be vaccinated. Our intention remains to put in place the guidelines that best promote health and safety for all.
In an effort to include everyone, online participation at retreats is available for those who cannot attend in person and we strongly encourage you to take advantage of this option if it is the right one for you. When registering for the Beginner's Mind All Day Sitting, please indicate if you would like to attend online and access information will be sent to you. Online participation in Sunday evening zazen is available as well by visiting this link. Online sitting continues Tuesday and Friday mornings at 6:15.
Beginner's Mind All Day Sitting takes place in person and online Saturday, September 18 from 9:30 - 5 PM. FInd details and registration here.
We are saddened to annouce the death of member Tom Ryumon Janiec on August 12. Read more about his life and how you can help his family here.
Zen Sitting Group DeKalb will resume in person sitting in September. Find the dates and details here.
Congratulations to member Matt Dewar on the publication of his latest book, The Mindful Breathing Workbook for Teens. David Treleaven, author of Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness called the book “A powerful combination of practical wisdom, precise instruction, and passionate advocacy for the power of mindful breathing."
Prairie Wonder (photo credit: Myosen Nadzam)
Beginner's Mind
All Day Sitting
September 18 2021
Beginner's Mind All-Day Sitting takes place Saturday, September 18. The retreat begins at 9:30 AM with opening remarks and zazen and ends about 5 PM. This retreat is offered in person at Great Plains Zen Center, W7762 Falk Rd., Monroe WI. Online participation is also offered. If you specify that you are attending online, you will receive instructions after registration. This retreat is especially geared for those who are new to retreats although all are welcome.
While we have had beginner's mind retreats for many years, we will offer a new feature this time. After lunch, there will be an opportunity for experienced and beginning participants alike to share their stories of first retreats and initial encounters with Zen practice. We hope these stories will help those just establishing their practice feel more at home, knowing that everyone experienced being new and wondering what they were supposed to be doing at any given moment. There is remarkable opportunity in doing something for the first time, with an open mind that has not yet formed countless expectations, “expert opinions,” habits and patterns – in short, a beginner's mind. That opportunity doesn't need to be limited to the first time we do a retreat. In fact, no matter how many years we have practiced, each time we sit down to practice, we are invited to let go of all we know, all fixed ideas about ourselves and the universe and simply be present for whatever happens next.
There will be periods of zazen and kinhin (walking meditation) throughout the day and with a silent, vegetarian lunch. When we return to the zendo after lunch, participants will have an opportunity to share stories of their first retreat or encounter with Zen as part of a discussion. All are welcome to join in this discussion, including those participating online.
At 4:00 PM. we will hold the Gate of Sweet Nectar Ceremony. Please remember to bring non perishable goods to be donated to the Palatine Township Food Pantry following the ceremony. The food pantry was grateful for the many bags we brought last month after our GSN Ceremony and for all of our donations since the onset of the pandemic.
Space permitting, participants are welcome to spend Friday night and/or Saturday night at the Zen Center especially if they have travelled a distance to attend.
Please read the following information carefully relating to COVID-19 precautions, use of induction stove, parking, suggested donation and registration.
COVID-Related Precautions:
-
We are requiring that anyone attending be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and require proof of vaccination. If this poses a concern for you, please contact our retreat registrar, John Genshin Knewitz .
-
Participants will be seated in the zendo at least 6 feet apart and asked to maintain distance during kinhin and lunch service.
-
Masks must be worn indoors except when eating and participants eat socially distanced and in silence. Participants are encouraged to eat outdoors, weather permitting.
-
There is an option to attend this retreat virtually, for those unable to attend in person.
-
Please do not attend the retreat in person if you are ill and/or have any symptoms (COVID-related or not) that indicate a possible contagious illness.
-
Participants are asked to wash their hands frequently and to wipe surfaces with disinfectant after use as appropriate.
-
Food preparation-related and other precautions recommended by CDC are followed.
-
If procedural changes become necessary due to changes in pandemic guidelines, participants will be notified.
Induction Stove Precautions: Note that Great Plains Zen Center now uses an induction stove. If you have a pacemaker, please consult with your physician about precautions relating to pacemakers and induction stoves. It should be possible to attend the retreat with simple precautions, such as staying 2 feet away from the induction cooktop when it is in use or whatever your physician recommends.
Parking: Please plan to arrive between 8:30-9:15 AM during which time there will be someone outside to direct parking.
Donation: The suggested donation for this retreat is $50. If this amount presents a hardship, please contribute what is comfortable for you. If you are able to contribute an additional amount to help offset the cost of scholarships, it will be gratefully accepted on GPZC website's Dana page.
Registration: Please register here by Monday, September 13, as space is limited. Use the comments section on the registration page to indicate any food restrictions/allergies you have, if you will be staying overnight either night or if you plan to attend online.
Gathering Again All-Day Sitting, July 25 2021 (photo credit: Ryuzan Slepak)
In Memoriam:
Tom Ryūmon Janiec
1942-2021
From left: Annemarie, Sara and Tom Ryūmon Janiec
GPZC member Tom Ryūmon Janiec passed from this life on August 12 at the age of 79 after a long battle with cancer. Ryūmon served as pastor of St. Philips Episcopal Church in Palatine from 1996-2008. He also served 17 years as chaplain at Northwest Community Hospital, bringing comfort to patients, their families, friends and hospital staff. Ryūmon was a veteran, having served 4 years in the Navy. Most recently, he was a well-loved employee of Jewel-Osco in Palatine for 5 1/2 years.
Ryūmon received the Buddhist Precepts at Great Plains Zen Center on October 21, 2012. His name, Ryūmon, means Dragon Gate. This name refers to a 3-step waterfall cut through the mountain by Yü the Great to open up a passage for the Yellow River in China. On the third day of the third month, when peach trees are in flower, vigorous carp that can scale the three-tiered waterfall transform into dragons. Thus climbing the Dragon Gate represents success and transformation after a long effort.
This name fits Ryūmon very well, as he led a life full of service and devotion to others despite many hardships. His daughter, Anne Marie Janiec, died in April of 2004 at the age of 23 as the result of an automobile accident. He is survived by his daughter Sara Anne Janiec and wife Annemarie Janiec. He will also be greatly missed by GPZC sangha members. He participated weekly at Sunday night sitting in Palatine for many years.
Ryumon walking Lil' Bubba, his constant companion
for the final three weeks of his life
The Janiec family would appreciate donations in lieu of flowers to help them pay for medical bills not covered by insurance, final expenses and expenses for Sara and Annemarie, both of whom require ongoing treatment for significant medical conditions. If you are able to contribute to this family, please send checks to Great Plains Zen Center, W7762 Falk Rd., Monroe, WI payable to Annemarie Janiec. Do not make the check payable to GPZC as this is a donation directly to the Janiec family.
Memorial Lanterns August 2021 (photo credit: Myosen Nadzam)
Zen Sitting Group DeKalb
Zen Sitting Group DeKalb (ZSGD), an affiliate of the Great Plains Zen Center, will resume meeting in person at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of DeKalb, 158 N. 4th Street this month. The steward for the group is John Genshin Knewitz, a student of Myoyu Roshi. ZSGD meets twice monthly on a variable schedule which can be viewed on the Zen Sitting Group DeKalb Facebook page. There will be no dokusan or teisho offered on a regular basis, but there will be regular formal sitting and some instruction regarding basic Zen practices and philosophy. If you have interest in this group, please check out the ZSGD Facebook page, or feel free to email John directly at birdsfan53@yahoo.com for further information.
- Variable schedule each month can be found on facebook page.
- Meets September 16 and 30 this month
- 6 PM Instruction, 7 PM Sitting followed by discussion.
- For more information, contact John Genshin Knewitz
Introduction to Zen Practice
Saturday, September 25, 9-12
Great Plains Zen Center is once again offering our monthly Introductory Workshops in person for those new to practice. This month's workshop takes place on Saturday, September 25, 9 AM-12 at Countryside Church UU, 1025 N. Smith St. in Palatine, IL. The workshop provides basic, practical information including how to do zazen (Zen meditation), how to establish a home practice, how to make everyday activities practice, the aims of practice, and what programs are available for practice through GPZC.
Please note the following COVID-Related Precautions
-
We are requiring that anyone attending be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and proof must be provided.
-
Participants will be seated at least 6 feet apart and asked to maintain distance during kinhin as well.
-
Per Countryside Church regulations, all participants must wear masks when indoors.
-
GPZC is required by CCUU church regulations to wipe down commonly used surfaces such as door knobs and tables.
-
Please do not attend if you have a contagious illness (whether COVID-related or not) or symptoms of an emerging contagious illness.
Suggested donation is $25. Those experiencing financial hardship can contribute what is comfortable for them. Register here.
We will be offering Aspects of Zen Practice Class 4: Being a Part of GPZC in person on Sunday, September 19 from 5:30 - 6:30 PM at Countryside Church UU, 1025 N. Smith St., Palatine IL. This class covers shared stewardship circles and opportunities for volunteering and leadership, Council Practice and GPZC Vision, Mission, Guiding Principles. Aspects classes are geared toward students who have attended the Introductory Workshop and want to learn more. Participants are welcome to stay for the two periods of zazen beginning at 7 PM. The same COVID-related precautions apply to Aspects as to the Sunday night sittings in Palatine:
-
We are requiring that anyone attending be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination.
-
Participants will be seated at least 6 feet apart.
-
Per Countryside Church regulations, all participants must wear masks when indoors.
-
GPZC is required by CCUU church regulations to wipe down commonly used surfaces such as door knobs and tables.
-
Please do not attend if you have a contagious illness (whether COVID-related or not) or symptoms of an emerging contagious illness.
Suggested donation is $5 for Aspects classes. Register here.
Sunday Night Sitting in Palatine Resumes
We are pleased to announce that in person Sunday evening sittings at 7 PM have resumed at Countryside Church, 1025 N. Smith St., Palatine. We invite everyone in the area to sit together again. The schedule continues as before, with zazen from 7:00 – 7:30, kinhin from 7:30-7:40 and zazen from 7:40 – 8:10. Dokusan will generally be available during these sittings. Instruction will be available during the first period of zazen for anyone new to sitting.
Those unable to attend in person can now attend online with the following zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/744106602
Meeting ID: 744 106 602
Dial in: 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Please note the following COVID-Related Precautions for those attending in person:
-
We are requiring that anyone attending be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination.
-
Participants will be seated at least 6 feet apart and asked to maintain distance during kinhin as well.
-
Per Countryside Church regulations, all participants must wear masks when indoors.
-
CCUU rules do not allow us to offer shared food or drink. If and when we do resume monthly tea, participants will be asked to bring their own beverages.
-
GPZC is required by CCUU church regulations to wipe down commonly used surfaces such as door knobs and tables.
-
Please do not attend if you have a contagious illness (whether COVID-related or not) or symptoms of an emerging contagious illness.
Members of the GPZC Racial Justice Circle invite you to participate in the United Way of Wisconsin 21 Week Equity Challenge. The challenge began on August 30, but there is still time to join! Each week, you will receive educational material to read, watch and listen to. Topics covered include diversity, equity and inclusion; intersectionality, privilege, implicit bias, microagressions, institutional racism, allyship and more. View a 12 minute sample video from Week 1 here.
RJC members also recommend the Zinn Education Project. For 10 years, the Zinn Education Project has been providing educators with tools to teach history in a more complex, engaging and honest way. On the website, you'll find lessons organized by theme, time period and grade level. View a sample lesson plan here.
Many thanks to member David Haffner for helping with the Jizo Garden
We continue to collect non-perishable food for the Palatine Food Pantry to support our neighbors who may be struggling to put food on the table. The Palatine Food Pantry sincerely appreciates these donations. We hope that you will continue to share goods and resources with our neighbors who are especially hard hit by the pandemic.
There are three ways to make a donation to the Palatine Township Food Pantry through this food drive:
May you be well and safe! Please treat yourself with kindness and self compassion during these times of transition and reimagining. Below are some reliable websites for the latest information on Covid-19 status, testing and vaccinations.
World Health Organization
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Illinois Department of Public Health
|
