Zen Buddhist Teacher visiting Nelson

Zen Teacher Geoffrey Shugen Arnold will visit Nelson to teach about the interrelatedness of spiritual practice and Earth Awareness, as we face the reality of climate change. He will offer a public talk on Friday July 15, and a two-day experiential workshop, July 16-17. Both events are at Fairfield House.

“In Zen practice we discover a way to live with compassion and wisdom amid all that life brings,” explains Gwitha Nash, an organizer for Shugen’s visit. “As a global community, we now face a very great challenge due to climate change. Shugen Sensei’s teaching in Nelson will focus on how to meet that challenge with compassion, realism and wisdom.

“In the Zen tradition we recognise that the Earth is more than a place we inhabit – we’re completely interdependent with everything that this planet does. We are here because the earth is here. As we see the earth suffer, we can see our interdependence with it more clearly. From a Zen perspective, the earth is who we are: hence the title of the workshop – “Born as the Earth.”

“We are so fortunate to have these annual visits by Shugen Sensei. It is amazing that he teaches here in Nelson. This is the only place outside New York that gets direct access to what he has to offer, once a year now for twenty-five years.”

Shugen Sensei is the Abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery in up-state New York and is fully accredited as a teacher of the Soto Zen tradition. He has been teaching for 25 years and succeeded his teacher John Daido Loori who began coming to Nelson in 1988.

“The theme of the workshop and public talk have grown out of Shugen Sensei’s long-held interest in the natural world’s capacity to teach us.” says Gwitha Nash.

“Educating ourselves on how our actions affect the Earth is a priority for Shugen in his leadership of Zen Mountain Monastery. He speaks from a practical perspective of a community’s needs and its relationship with the land. It’s inspiring to learn from a community so aware of the issues that we face, that takes the initiative to make positive changes. It starts with getting to know what’s real: getting in touch with the Earth.

“Climate change can seem overwhelming, and it may seem “easier” to avoid it. As Zen students, what we frequently discover is the freedom and vitality that is unleashed when we face what seems most difficult. Once we stop procrastinating, we find it’s a great relief to act on our convictions. And from there, our perspective is enlarged.”

“Responding to climate change requires a vision of how we want to live. There needs to be a positive aspiration, and an understanding of what’s skillful and what’s a hindrance to our wellbeing as a community. That’s where spiritual practice and climate-action intersect.

“In the process of learning to deal with climate change, we do need the support of role models. It is enormously significant that teachers of Shugen Sensei’s calibre come to Nelson.”

Shugen Sensei will give a public talk Implications of an Enlightened Life: Awake in a Time of Uncertainty, 7.00 pm at Fairfield House in Nelson 15 July. This will be followed by a weekend retreat on 16 and 17 July, Being Born as the Earth, where Zen practice and Earth awareness will be brought together. For information visit http://www.zen.org.nz. Enquiries about the retreat can be made to Gwitha Kaido Nash 03 548 9969 or email nelson@zen.org.nz

ENDS

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