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.

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

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

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."

SHAVUOUS SESSHIN

This sesshin is being held in honor of Shavuous, the giving of the Torah.
It will include zazen, Torah study, and blessings.

Wednesday May 23 - Friday May 25th


"In the direction a man wishes to go, he is led."
Torah



Eshin Brenda Shoshanna

444 East 82 St.
35B
NY, NY 10028
(212) 288-0028
topspeaker@yahoo.com

reservations required due to limited seating. Please call.

SCHEDULE


Wednesday through Friday

Doors Open 1 p.m.

Zazen 1:15 p.m. - 3:15

Torah study 3:20 - 4:00

Zazen 4:00 - 4:30

Dinner (on cushion) 4:45 - 5:15

Clean up 5:15 - 5:45

Rest 5:45 - 6:15

Doors Open - Evening



Zazen 6:25 - 8:00

Blessings, Hebrew chanting, Torah reading 8:00 - 8:45

Zazen 8:45 - 9: 15 p.m.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

We sit regularly on Monday nights. These sittings are open to those who know how to do zazen.

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

(Introductory Zazen workshops are available. Contact us for more information).

Eshin Brenda Shoshanna