Saturday, October 24, 9am to 4:30pm
Assisted by Peter Schireson and Karen Geiger
Zen teacher Lew Richmond will be offering a one-day workshop on “Aging as a Spiritual Practice.” The experience of growing older is one important way we experience in our own bodies the fundamental Buddhist truths of suffering and impermanence: see Lew’s blog. The workshop will explore the connection between our own experiences of aging—loss, disappointment, loneliness, fear, as well as the positive aspects of gratitude, compassion, and a sense of wise perspective—with the basic Buddhist teachings of impermanence, the Five Great Fears, liberation from a fixed self, mindfulness (of aging) and loving kindness.
The format of the day will combine periods of formal teaching with small and large group discussion. People will be encouraged to share their own personal experiences of aging with each other.
Bring lunch.
Chikudo Lew Richmond is an ordained disciple of Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki, and a lineage holder in that tradition. Beginning in 1967, for fifteen years he lived and trained at Tassajara Zen Monastery, San Francisco Zen Center, and Green Gulch Zen Temple, where he was its Head of Practice from 1977-1983. He is the author of three books: WORK AS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE, A Practical Buddhist Approach to Inner Growth and Satisfaction on the Job; HEALING LAZARUS, A Buddhist’s Journey from Near Death to New Life; and A WHOLE LIFE’S WORK, Living Passionately, Growing Spiritually, was published in February, 2004. Lew’s home sangha is http://www.vimalasangha.org/
Peter Schireson and Karen Geiger are both long time practitioners of Zen. Peter ordained as a Zen priest after retiring from a successful career in education and business. Karen is a professional grief counselor working with hospice volunteers and their patients and recently graduated from a 4-year Sangha leader training program.