Dr. Mickey McDonald Memorial Celebration

Jan 132016
 

We are saddened to announce that our beloved Upaya Sangha participant, Michelle (Mickey) McDonald, MD, 61, passed away peacefully in the presence of loved ones on May 11, 2016, after a prolonged illness due to carcinoid tumors and their complications. An open gathering of friends and family to celebrate Mickey’s life is planned for Friday, May 20, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. located at Tohono Chul Park. – Mickey’s obituary is posted at: <http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tucson/obituary.aspx?n=michelle-mcdonald-mickey&pid=179985290&fhid=24049#sthash.jx4Vf29d.dpuf> 

3rd Saturday – Jan. 16th, 2016

Jan 112016
 

For those joining us this Saturday, January 16th, for our 3rd Saturday of the month Upaya Sangha of Tucson meeting, we will meet from 10:00 am to noon, and our meeting will include brief sutra chanting, participant check-in, announcements, sitting meditation (Zazen), and a brief tea break. After this, Sensei Al will be giving a dharma talk entitled, “The Whole of Embracing Life’s Sufering and Joy.”

If this is your first time to join us, we meet at Tucson Community Meditation Center (TCMC), 1231 E. Edison St., one block south of Grant, just west of Mountain, on the north side of the street. We meet the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month. There are plenty of zafus (meditation cushions) and chairs.

Parking reminder: It’s important to the future of TCMC to observe mindful parking by not parking on the same block as the Center and by leaving an empty parking space in front of the homes on the neighboring blocks. Please reserve TCMC driveway parking for people who cannot walk far.

Please help us to accommodate our members who are chemically sensitive to fragrances or other scented products. Thank you for not wearing perfume, aftershave, or similar products.

Thanks!

January Zazenkai

Jan 072016
 

Upaya Sangha of Tucson is holding a half-day retreat, also called a zazenkai, at Stone Curves on January 30. This event will start at 7:45 am and run until, roughly, Noon.

What is Zazenkai?

Zazenkai can be translated as “to come together for meditation.” It offers a less intensive opportunity to deepen practice than, say, a retreat or sesshin. It will consist of alternating sessions of chanting, zazen (seated meditation), and kinhin (walking meditation). Expect zazen sessions to be roughly 30 minutes.

(An opportunity for “dokusan,” private interview, will be optionally available with our Sensei.)

Space constraints will limit participation to 15 individuals.  For more information, directions, or to reserve a space, see the January Zazenkai announcement.