A monthly book group facilitated by Chris Lance, AZC director
First Saturdays of the month, 9/4 and 10/2, 12:30-2pm
Please register via the link at the top of this page so Chris knows how many participants to expect.
Cost: There is no cost for this group, but any donations to AZC will be gratefully accepted.
On September 4th at 12:30, meet at Tom's Tabouley (2928 Guadalupe, A.TX) for a discussion of Less: Accomplishing More by Doing Less by Zen teacher and entrepreneur Rev. Marc Lesser. Lesser offers a program for applying the principles of Zen practice to our daily, busy, stressful lives. Please read the book beforehand. Inexpensive, used copies are widely available online.
The book and location for October 2nd's meeting is to be determined... but be sure to save the date!
Seven intimate group discussions with Kosho McCall, AZC's teacher and head priest, inspired by Suzuki Roshi's Not Always So.
We are expecting that many people will be interested in this opportunity to study with Kosho, so enrollment will be somewhat limited. When you register, please indicate if Monday evenings or Thursday evenings work better for your schedule. If either Monday or Thursday works for you, please indicate as such on your registration, and an AZC staff memebr will be in touch with your group assignment
Monday Group – 8/23 to 10/11, no meeting 9/6, 7-8:15pm
Thursday Group – 8/26, to 10/21 , no meeting 9/2 or 10/14, 7-8:15pm
Cost: $70, members $60
This group will sit in a circle and read excerpts from Not Always So, a collection of short talks by Shunry Suzuki Roshi. After the reading, each participant will have a chance to share their thoughts with Kosho, or ask a question, and Kosho will offer a response. After everyone has had their turn, the floor will be opened up for discussion between the participants. This is sure to be a unique opportunity to study the warm-hearted Zen of Suzuki Roshi with an experienced teacher.
+ We are committed to making the teachings of the Buddha available to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. If you are in need of financial assitance, please
A 7-week course with Rev. Trevor Maloney, AZC staff
Tuesdays, 8/24 – 10/12, 7-8:15pm (no meeting on 9/7)
Cost: $70, members $60
Starting August 24th, Zen Center will be offering a seven-week book/discussion group. The text we'll be reading together is Mu Soeng's "Trust in Mind: The Rebellion of Chinese Zen," a commentary on the 6th century Chinese Zen poem Hsin Shin Ming (Xinxinming). Here at AZC, we chant a truncated version of the poem during our Friday morning service. Attributed to the 3rd Zen ancestor Kanchi Sosan, the poem inspires us to let go and trust in the natural, limitless clarity of our true nature. It includes such tantalizing lines as...
"The Great Way is not difficult for those who have no preferences."
"As long as you remain in one extreme or the other, you will never know Oneness."
"If you wish to move in the One Way do not dislike even the world of senses and ideas. Indeed, to accept them fully is identical with true Enlightenment."
Mu Soeng is the program director at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies and an expert on Mahayana Buddhism, specifally the Zen traditions. His commentary is clear, concise, intelligent, and heartfelt.
Everyone is welcome to take part in what will be an energetic group learning experience. For newcomers, this will be a good opportunity to gain a foundational understanding of basic Zen teaching and practice. It will also give more seasoned practitioners the chance for a refresher on these same points.
A few more details:
+ Participants are asked to attend all seven sessions.
+ Reading assignments:
- 8/24: Forward, preface, introduction, and the poem. Part 1, essay 1.
- 8/31: The poem. Part 1, essay 2.
- 9/14: The poem. Part 1, essay 3.
- 9/21: The poem. p. 71-88.
- 9/28: The poem. p. 89-104.
- 10/5: The poem. p. 105-119.
- 10/12: The poem. p. 120-130.
+ Everyone will need to acquire a copy of 
