Sosan is Sitting for Peace and Dignity

In the midst of the difficulties of human life, we can find peace and dignity, and work for the dignity and liberation of all.           

In my experience of the practice of Zen Buddhism, there is love and joy that can be found, even when there is a lot of trouble in the world. And when I find the love and joy, I have the energy to wrok for dignity and liberation, and practice compassion, without being depleted.

Therefore, for the third year in a row, I'm participating in an all-day, all-night meditation fundraiser for Clouds in Water Zen Center. This is one way that I can cultivate deep and nourishing silence and compassion, and support others in doing the same.  This year, in celebration of my having turned 67 in March, I'm going to meditation for 6 hours in the day and 7 hours in the night. And I'll practice mindfulness during the 24 hours. Maybe you'd like to join me for 6 or 7 minutes, even from home? Just a few minutes of remembering the things in our lives and our world that are good can be so helpful in providing a basis for changing what is harmful. 

I'm inviting YOU to join in the adventure by donating in support of my meditation on that day.  Thank you to all my past donors - I hope you'll join me again! And, I also welcome new donors! 

My initial goal is to raise $6,700 to help Clouds make its overall goal of $50,000. You can help me reach this goal with a gift of $100, or any amount. Note: I'll need some of you to make big gifts in order to reach my goal. Maybe some can give $670?

This year, once again, an anonymous donor has pledged that every donation that you give will be matched, dollar for dollar with a gift towards paying down the mortgage on the Clouds in Water building. 

ALSO, new this year, in addition to the mortage match, your gifts to my page will be matched, dollar for dollar until my goal is reached!

With these two matches, every $1 you give equals $3!

Your tax-deductible gift will help keep Clouds in Water Zen Center thriving and continuing to do its good work of awakening the heart of great wisdom and compassion through our programming, social justice work, and being a sanctuary in these dark times. It will help pay for the maintenance of our beautiful space and the support of our wonderful staff.

Our Zen Center is run almost exclusively on donations from individuals and no one is turned away for lack of funds for any of our programming. Your donation helps sustain meditation classes and retreats, training in compassion, promotion of ethical living, community outreach, youth and family programming, and more. 

While the Twin Cities has several Zen Buddhist communities, Clouds in Water Zen Center is unique in advancing a broad social justice and racial justice agenda informed and supported by Zen philosophy and frameworks. We are unabashedly invested in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and doing real inner and outer work to unravel the karma of white supremacy and other forms of oppression.

I keep practicing because meditation allows me to touch something that is way beyond what my brain can fathom. It connects me with all beings, opens my heart to compassion and tenderness towards myself and others, helps me to befriend my cluttered and busy mind, and is a way for me to manifest joy, peace, and freedom.

I believe that if meditation helps me to refrain from one more hurtful word, do one more kind act,  or wish well for one more difficult person, then I have made the world just a little bit better. And, meditation DOES help me with these things. Furthermore, whatever good I may do ripples outward to others and multiplies good in the world.  Since Clouds in Water teaches this practice to others, the ripples are many and grow larger.

I hope you will support me and Clouds in Water in this work, by making a donation and/or joining us at Clouds in Water during the 24 hours. 

You can learn more about our work at cloudsinwater.org. Also, feel free to email me with any questions: sosan@cloudsinwater.org.

May you be happy, healthy, safe, and at ease - now and in the future!