You are invited to an Introductory Zen Workshop
Sunday, January 18th, from 5-6:30 p.m.
The workshop will include the principles and practice of Zen meditation (zazen). We will have instruction, two sittings and time for questions and answers.
Reservations are required. Contact, Eshin at (212) 288-0028 or topspeaker@yahoo.com.
$15 contribution.
Looking forward to seeing you,
Friday, January 16, 2009
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Mishkan Schedule
SCHEDULE
We sit regularly on Monday nights. These sittings are open to those who know how to do zazen. (Regular Introductory Workshops are also available).
SCHEDULE MONDAY NIGHTS
Doors open 7 p.m.
Zazen 7:10 pm. - 9 p.m.
444 East 82 Street
35B
NY, NY 10028
Between First and York Avenue
(212) 288-0028
topspeaker@yahoo.com
Contact us for more information).Eshin Brenda Shoshanna
Posted by Dr. Brenda Shoshanna at 10:51 AM 0 comments
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We sit regularly on Monday nights. These sittings are open to those who know how to do zazen. (Regular Introductory Workshops are also available).
SCHEDULE MONDAY NIGHTS
Doors open 7 p.m.
Zazen 7:10 pm. - 9 p.m.
444 East 82 Street
35B
NY, NY 10028
Between First and York Avenue
(212) 288-0028
topspeaker@yahoo.com
Contact us for more information).Eshin Brenda Shoshanna
Posted by Dr. Brenda Shoshanna at 10:51 AM 0 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
Friday, September 5, 2008
Rosh Hashonnah Sesshin
We are happy to announce our Rosh Hashonnah Sesshin
East 82nd Street
September 20 - 21, 2008
from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Zazen, Torah study, blessing ceremony and chanting of Avenu Malkeinu
For more information, contact us at topspeaker@yahoo.com
May we and all the world have a blessed and joyful new year
East 82nd Street
September 20 - 21, 2008
from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Zazen, Torah study, blessing ceremony and chanting of Avenu Malkeinu
For more information, contact us at topspeaker@yahoo.com
May we and all the world have a blessed and joyful new year
Monday, September 10, 2007
Zen and Rosh Hashonnah - Purification and Repentance
The practice and principles of Zen training, are deeply applicable to Rosh Hashonnah, and serve to enhance and illuminate the deeper meanings and practices of the Jewish New Year.
Following are some points of comparison:
The themes of Rosh Hashonnah:
1) Teshuvah – (Repentance and Return)
Rosh Hashonnah is a time for repentance and return. Teshuvah means to return to the source of your being.
This is precisely what we do in our hours of silence during zazen. We turn around, away from the phenomenal world with its endless demands and distractions and return to the essence of ourselves and of Gd.
Repentance includes not only returning to the Source, but also becoming aware of our sins (or errors), both intentional ones and unintentional ones, feeling remorse for them and making the necessary corrections.
In zazen practice we naturally and inevitably become aware of all that is going on within, often feel sorrow and remorse, and through the cleansing process of sitting, breathing and awareness, correction naturally arises.
2) Coronation of the King
A main theme of Rosh Hashonnah is to declare Gd King over us, it is the coronation of the King - to declare and affirm that we are Gd’s subjects and servants.
The question of what it means to truly serve Gd is a koan we sit with continually. By practicing zazen we give up our egoistic ways of being, our selfish needs and desires and become simple and surrendered to our true nature (Gd).
3) The Gates of Repentance describe different practices involved in repentance. These practices are all integral aspects of Zen practice, simplicity, humility, sensitivity, service.
4) Give up Pride. Pride itself is one of the worst sins.
In zazen we dissolve ego, continually experience our oneness with all beings.
5) Confess Errors
In zazen we cannot help but see what we have done, right and wrong. We
constantly confess our errors to ourselves and relinquish them.
6) Take New Actions – correct past mis-deeds.
As we sit and focus within, our actions naturally alter as we become kinder, more giving, less defensive and more available.
7) Time of Judgment
Jewish practice emphasizes that along with the judgment (din) that Rosh Hashonnah brings, there is also the gift of forgiveness and mercy. By doing true
Repentance, not only are our sins erased, but if teshuvah is done with “love”, our former sins are turned into mitzvot, into light, blessings and love.
Through zazen practice, as well, we turn poison into medicine, we take that which is negative and bitter and it becomes fertilizer for developing wisdom and kindness of heart.
8) Mercy and Forgiveness
During Rosh Hashonnah we are instructed to say to all we have interacted with in the previous year, “
"If I have done anything to hurt you this year, please forgive me.”
This practice allows us to humble ourselves and to clear relationships.
As we practice zazen, as we see and release that which is painful and difficult, a heart of forgiveness and kindness arises. Not only are we able to forgive others, but also are able to forgive ourselves.
9) Be Sensitive and Mindful
In zazen practice we say that errors we have made have arisen from lack of consciousness and awareness. We can only behave on the level of awareness we occupy. In order to remedy this, we practice zazen daily, to become always more mindful, awake and aware.
10) Devekut – Clinging to Gd
The ultimate purpose of Rosh Hashonnah is to cling to Gd and erase all obstacles to our doing so. In zazen practice too, as we practice deep concentration and devotion, we naturally attain oneness with our Source.
Following are some points of comparison:
The themes of Rosh Hashonnah:
1) Teshuvah – (Repentance and Return)
Rosh Hashonnah is a time for repentance and return. Teshuvah means to return to the source of your being.
This is precisely what we do in our hours of silence during zazen. We turn around, away from the phenomenal world with its endless demands and distractions and return to the essence of ourselves and of Gd.
Repentance includes not only returning to the Source, but also becoming aware of our sins (or errors), both intentional ones and unintentional ones, feeling remorse for them and making the necessary corrections.
In zazen practice we naturally and inevitably become aware of all that is going on within, often feel sorrow and remorse, and through the cleansing process of sitting, breathing and awareness, correction naturally arises.
2) Coronation of the King
A main theme of Rosh Hashonnah is to declare Gd King over us, it is the coronation of the King - to declare and affirm that we are Gd’s subjects and servants.
The question of what it means to truly serve Gd is a koan we sit with continually. By practicing zazen we give up our egoistic ways of being, our selfish needs and desires and become simple and surrendered to our true nature (Gd).
3) The Gates of Repentance describe different practices involved in repentance. These practices are all integral aspects of Zen practice, simplicity, humility, sensitivity, service.
4) Give up Pride. Pride itself is one of the worst sins.
In zazen we dissolve ego, continually experience our oneness with all beings.
5) Confess Errors
In zazen we cannot help but see what we have done, right and wrong. We
constantly confess our errors to ourselves and relinquish them.
6) Take New Actions – correct past mis-deeds.
As we sit and focus within, our actions naturally alter as we become kinder, more giving, less defensive and more available.
7) Time of Judgment
Jewish practice emphasizes that along with the judgment (din) that Rosh Hashonnah brings, there is also the gift of forgiveness and mercy. By doing true
Repentance, not only are our sins erased, but if teshuvah is done with “love”, our former sins are turned into mitzvot, into light, blessings and love.
Through zazen practice, as well, we turn poison into medicine, we take that which is negative and bitter and it becomes fertilizer for developing wisdom and kindness of heart.
8) Mercy and Forgiveness
During Rosh Hashonnah we are instructed to say to all we have interacted with in the previous year, “
"If I have done anything to hurt you this year, please forgive me.”
This practice allows us to humble ourselves and to clear relationships.
As we practice zazen, as we see and release that which is painful and difficult, a heart of forgiveness and kindness arises. Not only are we able to forgive others, but also are able to forgive ourselves.
9) Be Sensitive and Mindful
In zazen practice we say that errors we have made have arisen from lack of consciousness and awareness. We can only behave on the level of awareness we occupy. In order to remedy this, we practice zazen daily, to become always more mindful, awake and aware.
10) Devekut – Clinging to Gd
The ultimate purpose of Rosh Hashonnah is to cling to Gd and erase all obstacles to our doing so. In zazen practice too, as we practice deep concentration and devotion, we naturally attain oneness with our Source.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Rosh Hashonnah Sesshin
Today we are in the middle of a beautiful, Rosh Hashonnah Sesshin, sitting, chanting Avinu Malkeinu, sending blessings and studying Torah, in honor of the New Year.
But rather than simply learn one phrase after another, hear the words we've heard before, perhaps it is enough to take one phrase, to sit with it for hours and days in the silence, to make it our own, to allow it to live us all year long.
What can it really, truly mean to Coronate Gd as King? What does it mean to each one of us to trust Gd and live everyday as a true servant?
No answer, just the question, and hour and hour of sitting, breathing and listening to whatever comes.
L'Chaim to all,
Shanna Tovah
But rather than simply learn one phrase after another, hear the words we've heard before, perhaps it is enough to take one phrase, to sit with it for hours and days in the silence, to make it our own, to allow it to live us all year long.
What can it really, truly mean to Coronate Gd as King? What does it mean to each one of us to trust Gd and live everyday as a true servant?
No answer, just the question, and hour and hour of sitting, breathing and listening to whatever comes.
L'Chaim to all,
Shanna Tovah
Friday, August 17, 2007
Month of Elul
The month of elul, which we are now in, just before the high holidays, is a time of deep reflection, concentration and preparation the new year. During this month, it is said that Gd comes closer to us, and our every action, thought and prayers have more power than ever to uplift ourselves and the entire world. Every additional mitzvah we take on, all additional moments of connection, are especially precious. This is the time to sit more, love more, become more conscious and more giving to those who are in need. There are energies available to help us. Let us join together in making both our lives and the world all they are meant to be.
Blessings to all.
We will be holding a pre-Rosh Hashonah session in prepartion for his precious time. More details to be announced shortly.
Eshin
Blessings to all.
We will be holding a pre-Rosh Hashonah session in prepartion for his precious time. More details to be announced shortly.
Eshin
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Early Summer Sittings
Summer is approaching and we continue our wonderful practice together.
The zendo is open every Monday nite for zazen from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
All day summer sittings to be announced.
Torah and Zen summer study to be announced.
"In the direction a man
wishes to go
He is led."
The zendo is open every Monday nite for zazen from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
All day summer sittings to be announced.
Torah and Zen summer study to be announced.
"In the direction a man
wishes to go
He is led."
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