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Welcome
The Wind-in-Grass ("WiG") Sangha is a Zen community coming together in Potrero Hill every Wednesday to practice and enjoy the benefit of each others' experience, sincerity and dedication. WiG was formed in October of 2009, and is open to everyone without exception.
Our practice focuses on seated meditation ("zazen"), taken in 25 minute periods, and complimented each meeting with presentations, talks from local Zen teachers, and/or the discussion of traditional instructive cases aimed at stimulating awakening ("koans"). Our goal is awakening through giving loving attention to the present moment no matter what that holds. Even the painful and boring parts. What that means in more direct language is through honing the skill of paying attention to what is arising, whether peace, calm, anger, pain, sleepiness, greed, lust, joy, etc. and without holding onto them or pushing them away, we begin to see reality- perhaps for the first time. We observe how our suffering is not caused by the world around us but by the stories that we tell ourselves about why these things are happening. It gives us no more control, but it reveals a choicefulness in how we respond to our experiences and removes the obstacles to the spontaneity of joy.
Our practice of zazen and koan training is not aimed at calming the mind or finding peace, though those are common byproducts as we learn to accept what arises. It is aimed at awakening to the world of which you are part. It is not an easy practice. It will likely be the hardest thing that you have ever done, and if there is anything else you would rather be doing, we recommend you investigate that first, but zen is the most rewarding endeavor that we have ever encountered.
Each month, in addition to seated/walking meditation and tea, you can expect:
1st Wednesday: A visiting teacher comes to give a talk.
2nd Wednesday: Putting one inquiry into tension, then discussing what we observe (a "Zen Game").
3rd Wednesday: A short practice discussions.
4th Wednesday: Community night and Zen Game. Bring your curious friends, significant others, children, etc. There will be an in depth beginning instruction, an intentionally unstructured Zen Game to play, tea and food, and after practice, we go to Blooms or Farley's together for a drink of some sort.
5th Wednesday: When this happens, we do two silent mediation periods with tea in between.
Please come join us, whatever your level of experience or interest. This is an urban sangha and we aim to reflect the diversity of people and professions and orientations of our City. Whatever and however you show up is good enough. If you feel that you would like some instruction prior to sitting zazen for the first time, just send a brief note and try to arrive 20 minutes early. The other pages contain all the information you need to join us. We hope to sit with you soon.
Our practice focuses on seated meditation ("zazen"), taken in 25 minute periods, and complimented each meeting with presentations, talks from local Zen teachers, and/or the discussion of traditional instructive cases aimed at stimulating awakening ("koans"). Our goal is awakening through giving loving attention to the present moment no matter what that holds. Even the painful and boring parts. What that means in more direct language is through honing the skill of paying attention to what is arising, whether peace, calm, anger, pain, sleepiness, greed, lust, joy, etc. and without holding onto them or pushing them away, we begin to see reality- perhaps for the first time. We observe how our suffering is not caused by the world around us but by the stories that we tell ourselves about why these things are happening. It gives us no more control, but it reveals a choicefulness in how we respond to our experiences and removes the obstacles to the spontaneity of joy.
Our practice of zazen and koan training is not aimed at calming the mind or finding peace, though those are common byproducts as we learn to accept what arises. It is aimed at awakening to the world of which you are part. It is not an easy practice. It will likely be the hardest thing that you have ever done, and if there is anything else you would rather be doing, we recommend you investigate that first, but zen is the most rewarding endeavor that we have ever encountered.
Each month, in addition to seated/walking meditation and tea, you can expect:
1st Wednesday: A visiting teacher comes to give a talk.
2nd Wednesday: Putting one inquiry into tension, then discussing what we observe (a "Zen Game").
3rd Wednesday: A short practice discussions.
4th Wednesday: Community night and Zen Game. Bring your curious friends, significant others, children, etc. There will be an in depth beginning instruction, an intentionally unstructured Zen Game to play, tea and food, and after practice, we go to Blooms or Farley's together for a drink of some sort.
5th Wednesday: When this happens, we do two silent mediation periods with tea in between.
Please come join us, whatever your level of experience or interest. This is an urban sangha and we aim to reflect the diversity of people and professions and orientations of our City. Whatever and however you show up is good enough. If you feel that you would like some instruction prior to sitting zazen for the first time, just send a brief note and try to arrive 20 minutes early. The other pages contain all the information you need to join us. We hope to sit with you soon.
