Work Practice 2024
Sunday, October 13, 11:30 - 2:30 (with lunch)
Saturday, November 16, 12:00 - 3:00 (with lunch)
For those afternoons with a lunch included, please let us know you will attend, so that we know how much lunch to make and how many tasks we can assign.
Contact the MZMC office: [email protected]
Thank you!
Work practice is our opportunity to give our efforts to the community by taking care of the space we share. In work practice we can express the essence of Zen, the delight of mindful activity, and appreciation of the manifest world.
Work Practice is a traditional part of Zen mindfulness. Coming together in the spirit of the Buddha we do the best job we possibly can do to clean, fix, and organize our surroundings. Taking joy in serving, we will commune, connect, and collaborate during Work Practice to tidy our new zendo making it inviting for all to enjoy.
These work practice opportunities will differ from our work practice during retreats in that we will be able to lightly chat and get to know each other as we work side by side. There is little thinking involved as the Work Leader will plan and organize all tasks. Come, get involved, be assigned a job and just "DO"! All ability levels are welcome (kids too)!
Saturday, November 16, 12:00 - 3:00 (with lunch)
For those afternoons with a lunch included, please let us know you will attend, so that we know how much lunch to make and how many tasks we can assign.
Contact the MZMC office: [email protected]
Thank you!
Work practice is our opportunity to give our efforts to the community by taking care of the space we share. In work practice we can express the essence of Zen, the delight of mindful activity, and appreciation of the manifest world.
Work Practice is a traditional part of Zen mindfulness. Coming together in the spirit of the Buddha we do the best job we possibly can do to clean, fix, and organize our surroundings. Taking joy in serving, we will commune, connect, and collaborate during Work Practice to tidy our new zendo making it inviting for all to enjoy.
These work practice opportunities will differ from our work practice during retreats in that we will be able to lightly chat and get to know each other as we work side by side. There is little thinking involved as the Work Leader will plan and organize all tasks. Come, get involved, be assigned a job and just "DO"! All ability levels are welcome (kids too)!
Is Work Practice Your Dharma Gate?
Zen considers work practice an integral part of our spiritual life. It is a deeply meditative spiritual practice where we recognize, moment by moment, our interconnection with all things.
In ordinary life, our busy mind disregards a tub of soapy water, judging it unworthy of our attentiveness, and then splits off. But if our mind slows down just a little, we see that the myriad things in our lives are our lives. It is only when we split ourselves off that our activity feels separate from real life. Through focused activity, we get a felt-sense of our interconnectedness with the world around us by feeling the weight of a damp mop; and noticing the sheen it leaves behind. By moving the zabutons with our hands rather than shoving them with our feet. By gently returning a chair to its rightful place — our rough edges begin to soften. By bringing our restless mind back to the activity, over and over, we begin to feel our own aliveness.
It's difficult to sit on a cushion, facing a blank wall, watching our thoughts. They come too fast. Our knees ache. We become bored, even irritated. It's quite pleasant to dip our hands into a sink of soapy water and, with no thought at all about washing the dishes, just watch what happens.
Like the secret of life itself, the secret to a successful Zen practice is a double helix: meditative work practice and meditative sitting practice, each supporting and sustaining the other. When the two are in balance our practice becomes our lifeline, connecting us to the sangha, to the dharma, and to Buddha. Through work practice, quite naturally, we begin to embody one of Zen's key teachings: the undivided nature of giver, receiver, and gift. The key to a single dharma gate opens them all.
With questions, or to learn how to get involved, contact the office at [email protected].
In ordinary life, our busy mind disregards a tub of soapy water, judging it unworthy of our attentiveness, and then splits off. But if our mind slows down just a little, we see that the myriad things in our lives are our lives. It is only when we split ourselves off that our activity feels separate from real life. Through focused activity, we get a felt-sense of our interconnectedness with the world around us by feeling the weight of a damp mop; and noticing the sheen it leaves behind. By moving the zabutons with our hands rather than shoving them with our feet. By gently returning a chair to its rightful place — our rough edges begin to soften. By bringing our restless mind back to the activity, over and over, we begin to feel our own aliveness.
It's difficult to sit on a cushion, facing a blank wall, watching our thoughts. They come too fast. Our knees ache. We become bored, even irritated. It's quite pleasant to dip our hands into a sink of soapy water and, with no thought at all about washing the dishes, just watch what happens.
Like the secret of life itself, the secret to a successful Zen practice is a double helix: meditative work practice and meditative sitting practice, each supporting and sustaining the other. When the two are in balance our practice becomes our lifeline, connecting us to the sangha, to the dharma, and to Buddha. Through work practice, quite naturally, we begin to embody one of Zen's key teachings: the undivided nature of giver, receiver, and gift. The key to a single dharma gate opens them all.
With questions, or to learn how to get involved, contact the office at [email protected].
Please consider being a garden volunteer!
Yard and Garden Work Practice
The 2024 garden season is over, but check back in spring 2025. Thank you!
If you enjoy working outdoors, please consider volunteering the gardens and yard.We invite you to participate in weekly light yard work activities such as watering, weeding, trimming, etc. No experience is necessary.
There is no need to sign up or commit to attending regularly. There is no minimum time-stay and no need to bring tools.
If you have any questions, or would like to come for some light work at another time, feel free to contact the office at [email protected].
The 2024 garden season is over, but check back in spring 2025. Thank you!
If you enjoy working outdoors, please consider volunteering the gardens and yard.We invite you to participate in weekly light yard work activities such as watering, weeding, trimming, etc. No experience is necessary.
There is no need to sign up or commit to attending regularly. There is no minimum time-stay and no need to bring tools.
If you have any questions, or would like to come for some light work at another time, feel free to contact the office at [email protected].
"Take care of things, and they will take care of you.”
- SUZUKI ROSHI
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