OZS News for Summer 2023

Schedule Changes Our practice session for Sunday, June 18, 2023 (Father’s Day) has been canceled. At OZS, once a month we encourage a Sangha member to give the Dharma talk. The Dharma talk for Wednesday, June 21, 2023, will be given by  Sangha member, Serena Olsen. In July, a Dharma talk will be given by Nick Dow. The date TBD. (The Dharma talks may be podcast, if the presenter agrees to it.) This year, I plan to take time off […]

Photo by Edanur Ağaç on Unsplash

Korean temple cuisine – from the BBC

“From a mountainside in Gyeonggi-do, Buddhist nun WooKwan Sunim pioneers the Korean temple cuisine movement, which has roots in ancient history but speaks directly to modern tastes.” – BBC WORLD’S TABLE | FOOD & DRINK | SOUTH KOREA article by By Paul Stafford 17th May 2023 https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230516-the-1700-year-legacy-of-korean-temple-cuisine?ocid=ww.social.link.facebook    

A New Years Resolution

Sangha is a Sanskrit word used in many Indian languages that means association, assembly, company, or community.  As we bring in the new year, I would like to take a moment to thank all those who have become part of our Ordinary Zen Sangha, in person, on Zoom, or by listening to our Podcasts. Thank you, for your generous contributions to OZS.   May the New Year be meritious and all beings benefit. DEDICATION OF MERITS 回向偈 May the merits […]

The Darkest Day of the Year

The winter solstice occurs when either of Earth’s poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the Sun. This happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere. In the Northern hemisphere, it is today. December Wednesday, December 21, 2022. This is called the Shortest Day; the Longest Night. Our original nature is the boundless light of wisdom that always shines, even on the darkest nights. I extend warm wishes to you on this Longest night.  Darkness gives way to light and the […]

Covid Confusion

On Thursday, December 1, 2022. I received my Flu shot and Covid Booster. Over the next several days I felt what I thought were the normal side effects from one or both vaccinations. However, things were not getting better. On Wednesday, December  7, I tested positive for COVID. How confusing? When did it start? All I know now is I will have to wait it out until I get negative COVID tests. I feel better and seem to be on […]

Myakka River State Park Closed till further notice

As of this writing, I do not know if we will be able to have our Retreat on January 7, 2023. (Please sign up for our newsletter to receive updates.) Here is the latest from the park website: HURRICANE IAN UPDATE Myakka River State Park sustained extensive wind and water damage from Hurricane Ian and will be closed to the public until further notice. A reopening date is yet to be determined. All reservations are being canceled through Dec. 18, […]

January 2023 – All Day Retreat in Nature

Saturday, January 7, 2023! Bring in the New Year with Ordinary Zen Sangha All-day retreat at Myakka River State Park. The natural setting surrounded by the beauty of nature will help us to relax, reflect, and renew ourselves. We will start promptly at 9:00 am (arrive by 8:45 am). There will be several sitting and walking meditations during the day, Dharma Talks, and a vegetarian/vegan potluck lunch. The retreat will be over at 4:30 pm. RSVP is recommended. The retreat will […]

All-day retreat at Myakka River State Park – Registration Form

Register here for the all-day retreat at Myakka River State Park on Saturday, January 7, 2023. We will start promptly at 9:00 am (arrive by 8:45 am). There will be several sitting and walking meditations during the day, Dharma Talks, and a vegetarian/vegan potluck lunch. The retreat will be over at 5:00 pm. The retreat will be limited to 40 participants. ( as of 01/01/2023 we are filling up, please rsvp) There is a park entrance fee of $6.00 per […]

Ian has moved on and we are still cleaning up.

The session for Sunday, Oct. 2 has not been confirmed. As of this writing, power has not been restored at our home. We do have a generator and are fine otherwise. Like a lot of us around Sarasota, there is debris to clean up. We are being patient as things get back to something more normal. I have not decided whether we will have a practice session this Sunday. I would like to hear from those who would, or could, […]