Let’s come to sit together this month, either in person or on Zoom. A reminder that all sittings are zoomed and here’s the link in case you don’t have it:

Meeting ID: 325 001 1809
Passcode: CZG2020

Everyone! There's a LOT of information in this email - so please take some time to read through it all. Exciting and Interesting news...

NEW TENANT NEEDED!!

Our wonderful tenant at the Zen House will be moving out sometime in September. So we are looking for a new tenant. This is a challenging situation since the tenancy has some unusual requirements: no pets with hair (due to allergies), no smoking or children. The person (though couples are ok too)  will have full access to the upstairs (3 bedrooms and full bath) as well as the kitchen and dining room and first floor 1/2 bath as well as the yard, front porch, and deck. BUT, they have to either agree to be silent during sittings or be out of the house on Tuesday and Thursday evenings as well as Saturday and Sunday mornings. A sangha member from either the Cleveland Zazen Group or Crooked River Zen Center would be ideal...but that's certainly not required. The rent is $875/month and includes all utilities and internet. There is a washer and dryer in the basement. Some maintenance of the  space is required. It's a great neighborhood so if you know someone, please have them contact Susan at 216-570-4976. The lease would begin Jan 1, 2027 as we have enough money to cover October through December and get the space fully cleaned and make any necessary repairs. 

There is another alternative. We need to raise $800/month to make up for rent in order to keep the house as a Zen Center for both groups. So, if we can get 16 people from Cleveland Zazen Group and 16 people from Crooked River to guarantee a pledge of $25/month ($300/year) we don't need a tenant at all!! This money would go to either of the Zen groups as a tax-deductible donation. The Zen groups would then pay it to the LLC that owns 1813 Wilton as rent in addition to what they're already paying. If you think this is something your budget would allow for, please let Susan know. This would begin in January.

Return of Our Meditation Intensive!! Mark your calendars!!
Sensei Jissai Prince-Cherry will be coming to Cleveland the weekend of September 25-27 to lead a meditation intensive. The exact schedule is still being determined based on what's happening with 1813 (tenant or not, etc.) But it will be similar to previous years. This will be appropriate for everyone, whether a beginner or experienced sitter. So for now, just mark your calendar for that weekend and as the schedule gets confirmed we'll let everyone know. Typically it includes Friday evening, all day Saturday and (sometimes) Saturday evening, and Sunday til noon followed by a big lunch/brunch. As of right now, this will be in-person only. If the Zen House is empty, we may be able to have space for people to stay over, but that's not for sure.

FOUNDERS DAY SUNDAY AUGUST 9
On Sunday, August 9 we will recognize Roshi Philip Kapleau, founder of the. Rochester Zen Center and root spiritual teacher for many members of CZG. On this day, following two rounds of sitting, we'll listen to a recorded teisho by Roshi Kapleau.  

September Intro/Refresher, to Zazen Meditation
Interested in what Zen Buddhism is all about? Have you sat before and need a refresher to get your practice going again? Let us know if you’d like to attend our Intro/Refresher on Saturday, September 12 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Call Susan at 216-630-3583 for details.

SUMMER BREAK
Cleveland Zazen Group will be taking a summer break. There will be no sittings from Wednesday August 19 through Monday, August 24. We resume sitting on Tuesday evening, August 25.

HOUSE CLEANING
On Sunday August 16 following 2 rounds of sitting, we'll have our turn at cleaning the first floor, stairway, outside,  and porch/decks from 10-12. Bring your own work gloves and clothes. Work practice is an important part of Zen training and of supporting the sangha. So please try to come help. 

"In the Zen tradition, work practice has long been part of the daily monastic schedule, dating back more than 1,000 years. Traditionally, it involved manual work, such as cooking, cleaning, gardening, and other routine activities that require minimal thinking. In a practical sense, work practice enables a monastery or residential training center like ours to function daily. But, more importantly, it’s a form of active zazen, bringing our practice “off the mat” and into the world."
Zen and Work Practice. By Sensei Dhara Kowal | Zen Bow |

SANGHA MEETING
On Sunda, August 30, following two rounds of sitting (9-10 a.m.), we'll have our Annual Sangha Meeting plus brunch from 10-12. This will be open to "zoomers" at our usual link: Here's the link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3250011809?pwd=RlI3VUpKck5tUXFsTWZQVTlnektMQT09 

Private Instruction
is available both in-person and virtually by contacting Susan to set up a mutually agreed upon date and time. Often this is before or after regularly scheduled sittings, but can be arranged other times as well. Call/text her at 216-630-3583 to make these arrangements.

ROCHESTER ZEN CENTER INFO
As you know, the Rochester Zen Center zooms sittings at 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. This will continue even during their summer break.   There's a two-day sesshin at Chapin Mill August 14-16 with Eryl Kubicka. This is a great opportunity for those who want to dip their toe into a sesshin without committing to 7 days. Though the application deadline was July 30, there may still be space available. Contact the Center if you're interested www.rzc.org.