Spring Ango 2020

February 29 · Sangha News, Zen Training · ango, Ango Intensive, Ango practice, spring 2020, Zen training

by Jeffrey Gyokudo Roberts

Even though the Catskills are frozen and quiet right now, if I close my
eyes, I can already hear the returning song of the Hermit Thrush and
smell the tulips blooming. Slowly the Esopus Creek, covered in ice,
will loosen its grip on Winter and Spring will come.

Shuso’s Letter Spring Ango 2019

February 13 · Sangha News, Zen Training · ango, Ango Intensive, Ango practice, shuso, Shuso Hossen, Spring 2019, Zen training

Dear Sangha,

Not being a native speaker of English, living my 75th year of life, hard of hearing—surely I was way back in the line of candidates for Chief Disciple. Thus, it was a big surprise when Shugen Roshi asked me to be Chief Disciple for Spring Ango. Immediately a line from the Shuso Hossen
Ceremony became real and very present for me: “I feel like a mosquito trying to bite an iron bull.” Fears of incompetence arose in my consciousness.