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Clear Mind Is Like The Full Moon

Clear mind is like the full moon in the sky. Sometimes clouds come and cover it, but the moon is always behind them. Clouds go away, then the moon shines brightly. So don’t worry about clear mind: it is always there. When thinking comes, behind it is clear mind. When thinking goes, there is only clear mind. Thinking comes and goes, comes and goes. You must not be attached to the coming or the going.

From Dropping Ashes on the Buddha

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Northern Light had a retreat on the 25th of April.

Even given the pandemic and stay at home order, modern technology provided us a why to hold a retreat on the 25th.

We began at 8am and completed at 11am, It was well attended and kept to a similar format as our regular retreats. We all had interviews even! It was good practice.

Our next retreat is scheduled for the 27th of June. Perhaps we will all be sitting in our Dharma room by then. Either way I am sure we will find a way to practice together.

Stay safe everyone, stay healthy. Yours in the Dharma.

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NLZC and COVID-19 suspension

(originally posted March 16th 2020)

Dear Friends,

How are you? In response to the risks of COVID-19 transmission, Northern Light Zen Center will be suspending all programs, effective immediately. We expect this suspension to last four-six weeks, possibly longer.

In making this decision, our Zen center joins many other centers around the country to take steps important to the safety of the sangha. Beginning today, the suspension affects the following programs: – Wednesday evening practices – last Saturday extended practice – if further extended, the one day retreat in April.

During this suspension, we encourage you to practice meditation regularly. Terry PSN will continue to offer interviews by appointment, through Zoom or by phone, in which you can discuss practice, daily life and also do kong-ans. Please contact him at tcronin1956@gmail.com if you would like to schedule time.

We will also attempt to keep in regular contact with readings, quotes and information. If anyone has any suggestions in this regard, please contact us. Please also let the sangha know if you are ill so we can give whatever support is possible. We have always sought to make the Zen center a safe place for practice and self-investigation, and it never occurred to us that public health concerns would enter into this. But here we are and we must follow the best available recommendations. Thank you for your support.

In the Dharma, Bill

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Our End of Year December One Day Retreat.

On the 28th of December 2019 12 of us came together and sat a Northern Light Zen Center one day retreat. We hold these one day retreats on every even numbered month of the year. This month we had a nice large group. Strong practice and good teaching. Thank you to everyone and happy new year!

retreat
back row l-r Darren Brown, Patrick Clancy, Carol Hedgepeth, Terry Cronin JPDSN, Jennifer Mancini, John Schooley, Judith Simpson, Steve Bulloch, Robin Capwell
front row l-r Mary-Ellen Cimino, Marilynn Petit, Stephanie Harp, Jay Seiler
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Buddha’s Enlightenment Day

Buddha’s Enlightenment Day will be celebrated at the Providence Zen Center on December 14. There are overnight accommodations for those wanting to go down on Friday. There will be a children’s program if people with kids register (indicate that your kiddos will attend). There are likely to be carpool opportunities on Friday and perhaps Saturday if you are interested. Contact Abbot Bill Robitzek if you’re interested in carpooling.

Here is the link to register: https://dwt.suran.com/tool/event_registration_v2/attendees?guid=04bee77c3ed511e68b356ff236c94191