Zen Center of Philadelphia

Barry Magid's talks are amazing, specially the ones during quarantine (March 14, 2020 onwards). Take a listen. https://www.ordinarymind.com/

While our zendo is closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, you can join the Zen Center of Philadelphia sangha online on Sundays, 10 a.m. noon, and Wednesdays, 7 8 p.m. Email [email protected] for Zoom link.

The ZCP Zoom Zendo will be open on Sunday April 26, 10 a.m. - noon for two periods of zazen and a talk by Ray Castro followed by a period of sharing, and on Wednesday April 29, 7 - 8 p.m. for two periods of zazen. Join us at https://drexel.zoom.us/j/264818822 Email [email protected] with questions.... -- Peter Nichols Zen Center of Philadelphia See more

The ZCP Zoom Zendo will be open on Sunday April 19, 10 a.m. - noon for two periods of zazen and a talk by Pat George followed by a period of sharing, and onWednesday April 22, 7 - 8 p.m. for two periods of zazen. Join us at https://drexel.zoom.us/j/264818822 Email [email protected] with questions. -- Peter Nichols... Zen Center of Philadelphia See more

The Douty Foundation is providing $1 million in equal amounts to two local relief funds that are providing rental assistance and cash support for workers left out of the federal stimulus and unemployment compensation programs, namely low-wage workers, the undocumented and those operating in the cash and gig economies. For more information http://commongood.unitedforimpact.org/node/4466... The two worker-relief funds that The Douty Foundation is supporting with $500,000.00 each are the Philadelphia Worker Relief Fund and the PA Immigrant Relief Fund.

From Pat George (our teacher): Dear Sangha, This time we’re in suggests the Biblical reminder that in the midst of life, we are in death.... I send you these photos to point out that also in the midst of death, we are in life. I am reminded of this as i work in the back garden, a place where many of you have put in some hours also. While all the anxiety and pain goes on around us and in us, a glorious spring unfolds as well. I urge you all to get out of the house.properly distanced, masked and glovedwhatever make you feel safe and responsible to othersand see and breath the spring. I am happy that some of you are getting together on Zoom to be a sangha. It has been very important to me that some have taken leadership to provide this option. One of my fears is that when I am no longer able to organize the zendo, that everything I have tried to provide will just stop. The fact that you have all done this without me is important and makes me feel hopeful that apres moi will not come le deluge. What looked like perhaps a month or so of not meeting in person when we started, now seems to be something that will continue indefinitely. So though social media is not my thing and certainly not my preferred way to be a Zen teacher, I will begin to attend the Sunday sessions. I send along this encouragement sent by a neighbor. She calls it a prayer, but for us perhaps it reads more like Precepts in a time of Covid. Prayer for a Pandemic By Cameron Bellm May we who are merely inconvenienced Remember those whose lives are at stake. May we who have no risk factors Remember those most vulnerable. May we who have the luxury of working from home Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent. May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close Remember those who have no options. May we who have to cancel our trips Remember those that have no safe place to go. May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market Remember those who have no margin at all. May we who settle in for a quarantine at home Remember those who have no home. As fear grips our country, let us choose love. Amen. And I will add: heard Dan Gorrlieb the beloved WHYY psychologist say today that we should be grateful for breath in a time when so many are struggling to breathe. This is truly something that those of us who sit zazen can relate to. Gassho, Pat

The ZCP Zoom Zendo will be open on Sunday April 12, 10 a.m. noon for two periods of zazen and a talk by Peter followed by a period of sharing, and on Wednesday April 15, 7 8 p.m. for two periods of zazen. Join us at https://drexel.zoom.us/j/264818822. Sangha members who would like interview with Bob can email him at [email protected].... Email [email protected] with questions.

The ZCP Zoom Zendo will be open on Sunday April 5 at 10 a.m. for two periods of zazen, a talk, and a period of sharing. Join us at https://drexel.zoom.us/j/264818822 The Zoom Zendo will for open on Wednesday April 8 at 7 p.m. for two periods of zazen. Join us at https://drexel.zoom.us/j/542011173 Email [email protected] with questions.... -- Peter Nichols Zen Center of Philadelphia

Starting this Wednesday, April 1, we will open the Zen Center of Philadelphia’s Zoom Zendo for our usual evening zazen. We will sit two periods of zazen with a five minute break in between. Our plan is to sit every Wednesday. Zazen begins at 7:00 p.m. and ends at 8:00. You may enter or leave at any time. If you do so while sitting is underway, please make sure your mic is muted. To join us, go to the Zoom meeting at https://drexel.zoom.us/j/542011173.... Email [email protected] with questions

Friends: Starting at 10:00 a.m. next Sunday, March 29, the Zen Center of Philadelphia will hold an online program that includes one period of zazen and a talk followed by an opportunity for sangha members to share thoughts, feelings, and greetings. To join us, go to the Zoom site at https://drexel.zoom.us/j/360756308.... Avoid using Safari (use Chrome, Firefox, Explorer). Be sure to mute the mic in the Zoom program when you enter the virtual meeting space. It can be unmuted for sharing. Headphones/earbuds are helpful. The Zoom room will open at 9:50 a.m. Zazen will begin at 10 o’clock. We will sit together for 25 minutes. Stretch our legs for 5 minutes. Then Bob will give a brief talk. Following that, we will open the program for sharing and discussion. The Zoom help desk has a tutorial for joining a meeting at https://support.zoom.us//201362193-How-Do-I-Join-A-Meeting- The Zoom room will be open for a brief period at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday (March 28) for newcomers wishing to try out the technology or iron out kinks. Email [email protected] with questions. -- Peter Nichols Zen Center of Philadelphia

Like many of you, the Zen Center of Philadelphia Board has been pondering and discussing how to respond to the visitation of the COVID-19 pandemic to the USespecially considering that our sangha gathers in the home of our 80-year-old teacher. We no longer believe it’s enough to wash our hands and cover our coughs and sneezes, especially in the close-packed, small-space gatherings of our Sunday program. We have many senior citizens in our sangha, who are most vulnerable to th...e virus, and a public responsibility to do what we can to keep the infection from spreading. In consultation with Pat and Bob, the board has decided to close the zendo and suspend all Zen Center of Philadelphia programming until further notice. This includes our Sunday program, Wednesday evening zazen, and our monthly Saturday all-day sittings. We will monitor unfolding events with special attention to federal, state, and municipal advisories, and (again in consultation with our teachers) make an announcement when it’s safe to reopen the zendo and resume our program. We urge all sangha members to continue practicing at home with the same diligence and passion for the dharma you show in the zendoand don’t forget your neighbors. Should you have questions or comments, please email us at [email protected]. Let us enjoy our lives together. Peter Nichols Jan Ward Barb Fishman Drew Davidson

Great interview with Barry Magid. Enjoy!

Sangha members, please consider supporting along with ZCP and spread the word. Donation link and details below. "Lack of access to food is a huge issue in Mantua. For many years, community residents have had no easy access to purchase quality, affordable fresh food. The local CDC would like to implement a fresh food access program for the community and they are currently raising funds to make this program a reality. The goal is to raise $6,000. (If they meet their fundraising goal, they'll qualify for up to $50,000 of support from the USA TodayNetwork! You can donate $10 or more or simply share with family and friends. To learn more and donate: https://www.crowdrise.com//mt-vernon-manor-inc-pennsylvania Thank you for your support!"