Introduction to Meditation this Sunday in NYC

All-

I subscribe to the Village Zendo email/announcement list and wanted to pass this on:

Dear friends,
Meditate NYC is this Sunday! The event is Nov 8, from 3 - 7 PM at the Judson Memorial Church on Washington Square Park. It's an afternoon buffet of Buddhist speakers presenting the awesome variety of views and methods in Buddhism. This is the third year that the New York Buddhist Council (of which the Village Zendo is a member sangha) has produced the event. Roshi will be an MC and a speaker, and Koshin will talk about the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care.
If you're looking for a way to introduce your friends to Buddhism, this is your best chance all year: Invite your friends to come explore the teachings and meet members of many sanghas.
The event is free, and you don't have to stay for the whole time; please come and go whenever you like.
We want to share this event with as many people as possible. Please help us -- if you know anyone who is ripe for meditation, who is interested in mindfulness but doesn't have a community or a teacher to practice with -- please invite them to Meditate NYC!
Meditate NYCSunday, Nov. 8, 3 - 7 PMJudson Memorial Church55 Washington Square Southhttp://meditatenyc.org/

Meditate NYC begins on Sunday, November 8 with an afternoon of meditation instruction by Buddhist speakers from a great variety of traditions. It's free and open to all. You can come and go as you wish. Chairs are provided; you may bring a meditation cushion.
Presenters:Pat Enkyo O'Hara Roshi – Village ZendoMichele Laporte – Shambhala Meditation CenterJosh Korda – New York Insight / DharmapunxRev. Dr. Chung Ok Lee – Won Buddhist TempleKoshin Paley Ellison –New York Zen Center for Contemplative CareBrother Phap Tri – Order of InterbeingEllen Scordato – Interdependence ProjectJanet Jiryu Abels Sensei – Still Mind ZendoMyoji Sunim – New York Chogye SaDonna Walker-Kuhne – Soka Gakkai InternationalVenerable Yung Ku – Buddha's Light International Association
Free Meditation Instruction at Open Houses Throughout NYC: November 9 – 15
Anyone who is interested in meditation is encouraged to attend any and all events. More information, including map of Open Houses, is available at http://meditatenyc.org/
Meditate NYC is sponsored by the New York Buddhist Council and co-sponsored by the Tricycle Foundation.
http://meditatenyc.org/

Have an enlightened day!

Find Zen in Everyday

Zen, defined as realizing the present moment, is not something we can only practice in the Zendo (where one sits for meditation). Just as smelling the roses isn't restricted to rose gardens. Zen can be found in the here and now. Find beauty in a smile. Find peace in a brief walk around the office.

Although it is sometimes impossible to get away from our hectic daily schedules, we can create moments of space to breathe and "just be" throughout the day. Try setting an hourly alarm on your computer or wrist watch to remind you to stretch and breathe. Practice being present for an entire phone conversation (like those conference calls for example) or a meeting with your boss; you will feel more alive. Select a daily task you would normally not pay much attention to (like making the kids' lunches in the morning) and be present throughout the task. It may not take up any more of your time, but you will feel so much more joyful for it. Give Zen a try! You and others around you will thank you for it.

Unshakable Me

I've spent most of my life second-guessing myself. My insecurities have always shined through the moment someone of authority crosses my path. These people- they don't know me, but they won't hesitate to tell me what they think I should stand for. I listen. I question myself. I forget who I am. I forget what I want. I forget where I'm going. And just like that, I'm lost. Grasping for something "out there" to show me what's inside myself. Some confirmation that I'm doing it "the right way". How backwards.

And so it continues until I'm exhausted. I often have to retreat to regain focus. It is in the retreat where I can see what I've stood for all along: love. All ego, judgement and arrogance aside. I stand for love. I only wish I could be unwavering in my love. I want the balance of hearing someone else's opinion of me minus the affected outcome. I hope to go through tomorrow with an unshakable me.