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Last Saturday the 25th we had a retreat at Northern Light Zen Center. We had a total of 5 attendees. It was a peaceful wonderful day. All of us practicing hard. Solid practice and a good day.

It would be a great thing for NLZC and our sangha to have more practitioners attending retreats. What a great way to deepen your practice. If you have been thinking about doing a retreat Northern Light has full day retreats and half day retreats every other month.

Money should never be an issue. Talk to us if you feel it is.

Friday and Saturday, May 10th and 11th we had a crack crew of sangha members gathered to try to remediate the problem we have been having with flooding every time it rains a lot. Led by our resident expert Peter Kennedy, it was determined that there was a likely crack where the foundation for the house and the dharma room came together. Lo and behold when the hole was dug there was indeed a large crack. Our illustrious team (led by our crack leader, Mr. Kennedy) widened out the crack, and then on the next day it was plugged with a mortar and new waterproofing put on. And finally, the hole was refilled. We are hopeful that this will cure our water problem. Time and the rains this fall will tell. Peter and Darren Brown also checked out the flashing on our chimney as there has been a little leakage from there as well. Check out the pics!

On May 28th at 1 O’Clock friends and family gathered at Northern Light for the Zen Center’s very first Precepts Ceremony. There were 3 preceptees taking 5 precepts and 1 person formally becoming a Dharma Teacher. It was an exciting day.

In the past, all ceremonies like precepts and such were done at the main zen center for the region. In the case of Maine and the Americas that would be Providence Zen Center. Those were always great ceremonies and a wonderful time for the larger Sangha to gather and see old friends and Teachers! Since COVID has been upon us this has cause the School to reconsider how we do ceremonies such as these. There are many reasons that we won’t list here but suffice it to say this led us to this special time.

During our ceremony, Kait Pressey, Jake Worth, and Edie Clemente took the 5 precepts, were given their Dharma Names, and got their robes and kasas. Jay Seiler formally received his bowls and became a Dharma Teacher. It was a very special time. Terry Cronin, JDPSN, and Bill Robitzek Senior Dharma Teacher led the ceremony as Preceptors.

Refreshments were served afterward and folks gathered to mingle and chat with one another. Wonderful together action. Thank you to all who attended in person and on zoom.

(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

Due to the holiday and the likelihood of people with family etc, practice for New Years day is canceled. See you on the 8th!

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!

Due to the Memorial Day weekend and many conflicting schedules, the extended practice normally scheduled for this Saturday has been cancelled. Please come to practice on Wednesday nights! And mark your calendars, there is a retreat on June 29. Come join us for a day of meditation.

Northern Light Zen Center had it’s alternating month one day retreat on the 23rd of February. It was a well attended and lovely day. Good practice was had by all. This month, March, we have an extended practice on the 30th. Please join us for our next one-day retreat on April 27. Mark your calendars!

Just before the new year started, the Northern Light Zen Center had a one day retreat. Ten of us got together and sat for a day of strong practice. We would love for folks to join us! Check out our schedule for the next one.

Greetings!

Due to the fact that it is a holiday formal Practice at NLZC is canceled.  Please partake of solo practice!  Enjoy some watermelon and watch some fireworks.  🙂

Have a Happy Holiday and may the fourth be with you!