Flowers of Truth - Great Tree Zen Temple

Great Tree Zen Temple
newsletter / fall-winter / 2010
You can’t catch your mind
… it’s one of the conditions
of your existence
—always changing.
Wheeeeee!!!!
Watch out below!
- Dainin Katagiri
Each Moment Is the Universe
Waiting turns to head down the slide

Great Tree
Abbess:
Rev Teijo Munnich
Board Members:
Katherine Blackburn
Stephanie Jones-Byrne
Traci Childress
Jonathon Flaum
Gary Gray
Anna Matheson
Brook Reynolds
Erin Rafalowski
Marijo Simpson
Temple Administrators:
Fusu:
Ruthanne Kah
Ino:
Rev Chimyo Atkinson
Shisui:
Brenda Pierson
Tenzo:
Roxanne Sawhill
Tsusu:
Deborah Patterson

Great Tree Zen Temple
679 Lower Flat Creek Rd
Alexander, NC 28701
Family Meditation Summer Fling
I
t’s not all sitting at Family Meditation, especially during our annual
summer celebration! This year, we did a little zazen, a little work
practice, a little potluck socializing, and a lot of slipping and sliding
on the hill outside the zendo. Open to all ages, this event is held at
Great Tree the fourth Sunday of every month from 10:30 am to12
noon. Please join us for this kid-friendly, playful practice time and
wonderful opportunity to connect with other families. For more information or to be added to the Family Meditation email list, contact
Paige Gilchrist, [email protected].
Teijo
enjoying a
post-potluck
popsicle.
Anniversary Brunch Celebration
A
t the five year anniversary
celebration in September,
all enjoyed a fine selection of
delicious waffles, a Western
tofu scramble, and fresh
smoothies served up by members of the Great Tree Board
along with our soon-to-be
first full-time resident at Great
Tree, Chimyo Atkinson. New
and old friends got together to
laugh, share stories, and catch
up. Always close at hand was
the reason for our gathering—
to celebrate Sangha and what
it means to find refuge at Great
Tree Zen Temple. Rev. Chimyo Atkinson, Randal Daigu Pride, and Jonathon Rendo Flaum
taking a break from kitchen duty at Great Tree’s 5 Year Anniversary brunch.
2
Foundational Shift
Flowers of Truth
– Reverend Teijo Munnich
“In a way, nobody sees a flower, really, it is so small,
we haven’t the time – and to see takes time, like to
have a friend takes time.” Georgia O’Keeffe
S
omeone once asked Katagiri Roshi what he
wanted to be reborn as. He responded, “A
tiny flower in the heart of the mountain.” From
Georgia O’Keeffe’s perspective, a tiny flower, often
unseen in its subtle beauty, takes time to really
see. One might, for that reason, not aspire to be
a flower. Yet she goes on to say that developing a
friendship also take time. I wonder how often we
do this.
I never really knew what Roshi meant when he
responded that he wanted to be a tiny flower. My
first reaction was that he wanted to be more hidden, not so sought after, with the simple integrity
of the life of a flower. Being in the heart of the
mountain seems like a wonderful and harmonious place to be. I did not know him very well at
the time, so I didn’t pursue his meaning.
After reading O’Keeffe’s quote, especially comparing how long it takes to see a flower with how
long it takes to develop a friendship, I feel that
he might have concurred and at the same time
remarked that getting to know oneself also takes
time. He once stated that America is a vending
machine culture – we like to put in our money
and get our candy. He said this is the way Americans approach meditation, too.
I myself thought that when I sat down and
meditated, everything would be suddenly calm
and quiet. Yet now I realize that any serenity I
might have experienced in the beginning was
very superficial compared to the equanimity one
begins to feel after sitting quietly through the
raging storms that come up in our minds during
meditation. Those storms are caused by our inability to acknowledge that life isn’t as we planned
it and also by our tendency to not address the
things we are afraid of, both of which, in the midst
of quiet sitting, are subjects of disappointment
and trepidation. If life isn’t what we thought it
was, then where have we gone wrong? If we can’t
escape our fears, what will they do to us?
Maybe if Katagiri Roshi got his wish and was in
fact reborn as a tiny flower in the heart of the
mountain, anyone who found that flower would
deeply appreciate it, because the heart of the
mountains is unknown territory and the fear of
the unknown takes time and determination to
come to terms with. Perhaps for him the moment
of greatest joy is when a heartfelt journeyer enters
the heart of the mountain and sees the small
flower in the midst of the fears and disappointment of the journey. When we drop those fears for
just a moment, we see the flower of truth and it
fills our being completely.
In order to see truth we have to let go of preconceived ideas, of fears, of all that is holding us back.
We have to stop hoping that life will be something
else and let life speak to us just as it is. And when
we do that, everything falls away and we completely see the tiny flower.
Years later I asked Katagiri Roshi what he meant
when he said that he wanted to be a tiny flower in
the heart of the mountain. He looked at me for a
moment, and then he said, “Did I say that?”
When we drop those fears for just a
moment, we see the flower of truth
and it fills our being completely.
Great Tree residents, part time
and full time.
– Karla Giminez, Resident, June – July 2010
T
he pain was excruciating. I shifted my right
knee a mere two inches and the pain shifted
also. The ache was now traveling down my right
thigh toward my hip. How long had we been sitting? Surely it was close to time for the chimes. A
trickle of sweat began to form along my hairline.
Maybe that would distract my mind from the
pain. Nope, there it was. The pulling sensation in
my right knee grabbed my attention again. Why
had I come here? What was I thinking when I
had applied to stay at Great Tree for a residential
session? Evidently, I hadn’t given it enough deep
consideration. I might have decided to stay home
if I had known I would be torturing myself.
Meditation has become more widely accepted
in our culture as a practice of stress reduction,
self-examination, and/or spiritual connection. It
is not rare to find individuals and groups sitting
on zafus at some time during the day. In fact, I
had my own meditation practice at home, though
it tended to go through cycles of feast or famine.
When I heard about the residential program at
Great Tree through my friend, Jan Howard, my
mind created scenes of me sitting contentedly in
the lotus position while blissfully communing
with the universe. Instead, I found myself close to
tears as my body and mind loudly protested the
abuse I had inflicted on them since arriving at
Great Tree.
It was day four of a seven day sesshin. How could
I possibly survive three more days? No talking,
reading, or writing. Only hours of zazen, cooking,
and work practice. My thoughts bounced around
my head, at one moment angry, the next victimized. My body had its own unique method of
revolution - pain. It woke me up during the night.
Not that I was sleeping much anyway. I had begun
to wake between 2 and 3 am, only to lay staring at
the ceiling, hoping not to disturb my roommate.
Why was the government spending millions trying to get information from terrorists, I thought.
Why not just send them to a sesshin? I’m ready to
confess all my shortcomings right now!
By day six, I was sick of myself. Tired of listening to my thoughts, weary of my tedious internal
whining, bored with my flights of fancy. I began
to relax into what was. My breathing became my
companion, the clock was no longer my enemy.
The silence in my head was my refuge. That
afternoon, while sitting zazen, I had the sensation
of a bubbling emerging from within my chest and
spreading throughout my body, flowing out the
top of my head. It was joy, infusing every cell of
– continued on page 4
3
New Board Members
Originally from Greensboro, N.C., Katherine
Blackburn moved
to Asheville 13 years
ago. She soon met Rev.
Munnich, who became
her teacher, and began
her spiritual practice at
Zen Center of Asheville.
Katherine received the
precepts and served on the board. When studying
at Sancta Sophia Seminary, an esoteric Christian
school, she brought Soto Zen teachings into her
work. As an ordained minister, she enjoys officiating at weddings, advising students, and working
on her master’s of divinity degree. Katherine looks
forward to strengthening her practice by serving
on the Great Tree board.
Gary Gray has been
interested in Buddhism,
and particularly Soto
Zen, since he took a
Chinese history class
while at Furman University. He has always
been attracted to Asian
philosophy and culture,
and especially to
Japanese philosophy and culture. He moved back
to Knoxville in 2005 to be close to family. Shortly
thereafter, he joined the Knoxville Meditation
Group, which is composed of mostly Buddhist
practitioners of various schools. He met Teijo there
when she came to Knoxville to lead a weekend sit.
He has provided transportation for her to and from
Knoxville on a number of occasions. During the
most recent shuttle conversation, she asked him if
he would like to join the Board of Great Tree. He is
looking forward to contributing in whatever ways
his skills and spirit can be most useful.
Brook Reynolds is
originally from Winston-Salem, N.C., and
now lives in Asheville.
She began practicing
Soto Zen in 2004 and
received the precepts
from Rev. Munnich at
Great Tree in 2006. She
earned a master of fine
arts in photography from the University of Georgia
in 2007. She strives to combine her Zen practice
with her art, which is how she expresses her environmental concerns and spiritual connection to
nature. She is looking forward to strengthening her
practice with her service to Great Tree.
Great Tree Finances
– Ruthanne Kah
Overview - Year ending May 31, 2010
Great Tree ended the fiscal year 2009-10 on May 31
in somewhat less stable position financially than
in the prior year but still with a positive cash flow.
However, in the last quarter, expenses outstripped
inflow. We installed a water filtering system to reduce the high pH in the well water as recommended
by our plumber, something he had been monitoring
for some time. Income stabilized in June with contributions from the spring-summer mail campaign
and from summer practice programs.
General donations remain about the same throughout the year. Last year, with more practice events on
the calendar and an increase in participation, we
saw about a 15% increase. We showed registrations
of about 200 individuals during 186 days of scheduled activities, (which does not account for drop-in
visitors, weekly meditation, and family practice
events, which do not require formal registration).
It’s likely we served as many as 350-375 unique
visits throughout the year. This last year we saw an
increase in residents for the first time and initiated
the Summer Undergraduate Internship program in
partnership with Mars Hill College.
Fundraising
We have added an option called the Practice Support Fund for those who wish to support others
in their practice and allocate dana toward that
intention. Among Great Tree’s goals is to generously encourage all who wish to practice to do so
without hindrance. We did not see a hoped-for
increase in monthly pledges to the Mortgage
Fund. They remain stable at about $1,000 per
month, short of our goal of $2,000 per month.
It was thought we might be able to meet our
mortgage payment, which constitutes Great Tree’s
single largest obligation each month. Last year
we were able to build back our reserve, much
depleted in 2007-2008, so that we can bend with
the ebb and flow of monthly income if necessary
and have some liquidity in the event of emergency. 2009-10 ended with an overall positive
outlook. We continue to explore options for some
annual events to offset the normal ups and downs
we experience seasonally. With new residents will
come some increase in expenses, so planning for
future growth is critical as we grow.
June – Sept. 2010
In July we launched the new website, which
entailed some expense to the developer-designer,
though at reduced cost through our qualification
as a nonprofit. With the launch, Great Tree can
now process registrations and fees online and donations can be accepted. This will be step toward
‘greener’ communications, allowing us to post
the newsletter online and provide a path toward
learning more about Great Tree while reducing
print expenses, although it does entail some more
administration and monitoring.
By September 15 of this year, Great Tree remained
stable. Some retreats this summer showed lower
registration than we hoped and one was canceled.
August – September is a time of rest for Great Tree,
so it is not unusual for inflow to slow down during
this quarter. We transferred some funds from the
reserve to meet our obligations. As October approaches with more activities on the calendar, we
should expect to see increased participation.
Great Tree is still a very young entity, with a small
but growing Sangha and support community. It
has so far been able to manage through times of
economic hardship thanks to close attention to
planning and the support of many.
Note on program fees
Program fees contribute less than one-fourth of
Great Tree’s modest revenue of $60,000 per year,
but they are critical to meeting our obligations.
The remainder comes from gifts and the dana
given by members and practitioners to support
Great Tree. It requires many hands and much
heartfelt support to sustain Great Tree and provide programs, maintain building and grounds,
and plan for future growth. While dana and
contributions allow us to keep our daily charge
comparatively low, we make every effort to make
practice as affordable and accessible as possible.
We are grateful to everyone who participates,
contributes, or provides service toward making
this practice and residency for women a reality at
Great Tree.
With the growth of program offerings, more
residents, and increased participation there also
comes an increase in overhead. After five years of
studying and learning more about our actual operating expenses, we have come to the realization
that we will need to increase fees for programs at
Great Tree. A small increase will help us reach a
more equitable distribution of responsibility for
Great Tree’s continued offerings to the community.
We will continue to offer Practice Support and
members’ discounts to support those who need
financial assistance. Currently, we are reviewing
the fee structure, and we will announce the new
one in April 2011.In the meantime, please take
a moment to read more about Membership and
Growing Great Tree on the website, under Support.
4
– continued from page 2
my body. I gasped and thought, “Where did that
come from? What was I thinking?” But I knew,
it had not come from thinking, but from nonthinking.
Since returning home, friends ask about my
experience at Great Tree and are curious as to what
I learned while there. Even now, I believe I am still
processing some of my experiences and am not
fully aware of the subtle changes in my ways. Yes, I
learned the obvious, such as a crash course in the
macrobiotic lifestyle (still can’t pronounce some
of the ingredients!) and rituals around temple life.
But, I also came away with a foundational shift in
my view of life.
Before living at Great Tree, I did not realize I
had adopted the view that life was supposed to
be happy. You might say, I thought “happy” was
synonymous with “homeostasis.” If at any time I
wasn’t happy, I immediately took action to change
the situation or my attitude until I was happy
again. This may sound like a juvenile understanding of life, but there I was. As you can imagine, I
spent much of my time striving to “correct” things
and becoming more unhappy through the effort.
Through my time at Great Tree and particularly
through zazen, I learned to sit with discomfort
(i.e., unhappiness) and let it be. I noticed that,
although the discomfort was disturbing, the peace
related to the releasing of striving was immense.
As is the way of zazen, this lesson seeps into all
aspects of my life.
In closing, I would like to share a dream I had
since returning. I dreamed that Brook Reynolds
and I were in a convenience store, looking for
food for a trip we were taking. However, as is the
case of most convenience stores, all we could find
was junk food and we knew it would not sustain
us for the long trip ahead. Finally, tucked behind
a store display, we spied some necklaces made
from leather. The pendant on the necklace was a
ceramic tree. We bought the necklaces, broke open
the pendant, and drank the essence of the tree. The
Great Tree grounded us with its roots, enabling us
to be strong as we stretched our branches on our
journey.
sesshin date
Odes to the Great Tree Writing Retreat with Peggy Millin
From Abby Costilow
From Diane Savard
It’s easy to go through a day doing just what it
takes to make it to the end without ever stopping
to take a second and let your creativity flow. The
writing retreat led by Peggy Millin in August was
a much-needed breath of fresh air. She found
ways to tap into our creativity, release it from the
confines of our minds’ defenses, and let it flow
freely without judgment onto the paper. We used
prompts to write from and images for inspiration, and we learned about haikus and odes. One
of my favorite writings was my ode to tents.
This was written in one of Peggy’s workshops
and inspired by the odes of Pablo Neruda.
Ode to the tent
He is majestic as he soars in the air
You’re a home away from home,
Eyeing the landscape, surveying his territory
A roof over my head.
I envy his freedom, his sharp eyes, his piercing cry
You’ve been my companion from the day I traded my
old Huffy bike for you.
The black crows warn of his imminent approach
Your worn seams were of no concern to me because
you promised more to me than only a dry humble
abode.
You are freedom rolled into a bag.
You are an adventure waiting to be explored.
Your musty smell and army green shades are cozy,
warm, and delightful.
You glow with pride when sitting next to the campfire.
The happiness you bring to so many flows through
our hearts like the Mohican River flows gallantly
through mid-Ohio.
I only fear that one day you will live no-longer.
The nights bring worries of coyotes, bears, and coons,
And who knows if a beast will one day tear you down.
But for now I treasure you.
Your freedom and joy are gifts that calm my worried
heart.
The one hawk perched on the highest jack pine
I know that he’s eyeing the drab mourning doves
that share the morning meal with
the colorful chickens
But how can we deny him his nature
His place in the circle of life
He does not kill needlessly
The white rooster calls his many hens to safety
But the mourning doves peacefully glide along the
ground pecking tasty tidbits
They know their place
They are not afraid
From Chimyo Atkinson
As always, I thoroughly enjoyed Peggy Millin’s
writing workshop at Great Tree this summer. I really appreciated the emotionally safe
atmosphere, the good food (thanks to cook
Diane Savard), and the genuine camaraderie
with all members of the group. With the use of
innovative prompts and gentle encouragement,
Peggy managed to bring loads of creativity and
humor out of a diverse group of both experienced and new writers. I am truly looking
forward to Peggy’s visit next year.
You are the shelter to my wild soul.
It was a priceless experience to open up and
read what we wrote surrounded by others, but
the acceptance and appreciation of one’s writing were unbelievable. We listened, read, and
enjoyed being surrounded by such wonderful
people and such wonderful thoughts. Peggy
was an inspiration. She encouraged us all
to just keep on writing. It has been hard to
continue throughout the time since I left the
retreat, but looking back at what I wrote, I can
see how precious it is to just keep writing.
I suddenly find myself upside-down
on level ground.
When I pick myself up, I find there’s
nothing to say!
If someone should ask me what this
is all about,
smiling, I’d point to the pure breeze
and bright moon.
Chen-ju (12th century)
5
Great Tree Schedule of Events
Nov 2010 – Dec 2011
Registration for Great Tree Events
Nov 7-10. . . . . . . . . Sesshin
Great Tree requests a deposit of 1/2 the registration fee. Make checks payable
and mail to Great Tree Zen Temple, 679 Lower Flat Creek Rd, Alexander
NC 28701, attn. Registration Coordinator. If you need to cancel, do so
7 days before the event. All but a $25 processing fee will be reimbursed. If
Great Tree cancels an event you will be completely reimbursed.
Nov 11-14. . . . . . . . Women’s Dakini Retreat
Dates to attend:______________________________________________
Please visit www.greattreetemple.org for more information.
Nov 21. . . . . . . . . . . Family Meditation
EVENT Name:__________________________________________________
Dec 1 - 8 . . . . . . . . . Rohatsu Sesshin
Dec 11 - 12. . . . . . . Buddha’s Enlightenment Celebration and Craft Sale
Name:�������������������������������������������������������� _
Dec 31. . . . . . . . . . . Ringing in 2011
Address:_______________________________________________________
Jan 1-3. . . . . . . . . . New Year Sesshin
Jan 7-9. . . . . . . . . . “Let’s Begin Again” Retreat
Jan 29-30 . . . . . . . . Mother and Child Retreat
Feb 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . Sesshin
Feb 17-20. . . . . . . . “Whatever” Retreat
Feb 27. . . . . . . . . . . Family Meditation
March 4-6. . . . . . . . Sesshin
March 6. . . . . . . . . . Ordination Ceremony
March 12. . . . . . . . . Great Tree Work Day
March 26. . . . . . . . . Intro to Zen Meditation
March 27. . . . . . . . . Family Meditation
Mar 27-May 28. . . . Spring Practice Period
April 1-3. . . . . . . . . Sesshin
More detailed
descriptions for
many of these
events are found
on pages 6-7.
_____________________________________________________________
For costs,
registration
information
and updates,
please visit www.
greattreetemple.
org or call us at
828-645-2085.
Diet / Allergies:__________________________________________________
April 10. . . . . . . . . . Great Tree Work Day
April 14-17. . . . . . . “Just Do It!” Women’s Retreat
April 22 -24 . . . . . . Zen and Ikebana Retreat
May 1 . . . . . . . . . . . Family Meditation
May 6-11 . . . . . . . . Sesshin
May 21 . . . . . . . . . . Great Tree Work Day
May 22 . . . . . . . . . . Family Meditation
May 27-30 . . . . . . . Retreat at Southern Dharma Retreat Center
June 1-22 . . . . . . . . College Student Internship
June 3-8 . . . . . . . . . Sesshin
June 26. . . . . . . . . . Family Meditation
July 1-3. . . . . . . . . . Sesshin
July 11-13. . . . . . . . Children’s Retreat
July 31. . . . . . . . . . . Family Meditation
Aug 5-7. . . . . . . . . . Zen Mind, Writing Mind Workshop
Aug 20. . . . . . . . . . Day of Mindfulness (date may change-check website)
Sept 3. . . . . . . . . . . Great Tree Anniversary Practice Day
Phone (s):______________________________________________________
E-mail:_ _______________________________________________________
 Full Fee or  Deposit enclosed:_ _________________________________
Sleeping:  Mattress  Futon  Anything  Camp  Commute
Emergency Contact:���������������������������������������������
Their Phone:���������������������������������������������������
Physician / Phone / Insurance etc. if applicable:
_____________________________________________________________
Great Tree sesshins (Zen retreats) are, as much as possible, silent
Men and women are both invited to attend and stay at the temple for the duration of a retreat. Sesshins consist of zazen (sitting meditation), kinhin (walking
meditation), work periods, and oryoki meals. Meals are vegan. Participants are
expected to share cooking and cleaning up duties. Sesshins begin with orientation at 6:00 pm the first evening followed by a light supper and end at noon the
last day. If you can only attend part of a sesshin, you are still welcome. Please let
us know the dates you will attend on the registration form. We ask, as much as
possible, that people all start the sesshin together.
Cost:
3 nights: $130 for members, $150 for non-members
5 nights: $220 for members, $260 for non-members
7 nights: $260 for members, $300 for non-members
We ask you bring your own sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, toiletries, and other
necessities. We do not wear shoes in the temple, so please bring indoor slippers if
you need them. Also, please bring clothes and shoes for work period. If you are a
sensitive sleeper, please bring earplugs, as accommodations are dormitory style.
Family Meditation Dates
Sept 4. . . . . . . . . . . Great Tree Anniversary Brunch
Time: 10:30 am - noon
Sept 25. . . . . . . . . . Family Meditation
Nov. 21, 2010
Sept 25 - Dec 11. . . Fall Practice Period
2011 dates:
Includes a short period of meditation
Oct 1. . . . . . . . . . . . Intro to Zen Meditation
Feb. 27
Oct 7-9 . . . . . . . . . . Sesshin
March 27
and Dharma teaching. May include
an improvisational play, or other
activity related to topic. Parents,
children, and anyone interested are
welcome to attend. Please email Paige
Gilchrist ([email protected])
if you would like to be put on the
family meditation email list.
Oct 30. . . . . . . . . . . Family Meditation
May 1
Nov 4-9. . . . . . . . . . Sesshin
May 22
Nov 17-20. . . . . . . . Unleashing Dakini Wisdom Retreat
June 26
Nov 27. . . . . . . . . . . Family Meditation
July 31
Dec 1-8. . . . . . . . . . Rohatsu Sesshin
Sept. 25
Dec 10-11. . . . . . . . Buddha’s Enlightenment Celebration and Crafts Sale
Oct. 30
Dec 31. . . . . . . . . . . Ringing in 2012
Nov. 27
6
Retreats for All
(see pg 5 for full list)
Ringing in the New Year
Led by: Rev. Teijo Munnich
Dec. 31, 2010 New Year’s Eve
Come join us New Year’s Eve for sitting and
walking meditation, plus chanting and ringing
108 bells to clear ourselves of delusions for
2010. If you plan to attend, please let us know by
email at [email protected] or by phone
at 828-645-2085 so we can send you a more
detailed schedule.
Let’s Begin Again: New Year, New Life
Led by Judith Toy
Friday, Jan. 7, at 6:45 pm /
ends Sunday, Jan. 9, at 1:00 pm
Beginning anew is a meeting point of Zen and
American culture, where opportunity abounds
to reboot our lives. This affordable weekend
retreat is all about beginnings, and will include a
Burning Bowl and Beginning Anew Ceremony in
the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, who
ordained Judith Toy as True Door of Peace in 1997.
In the refuge of Sangha, we are refreshed and
renewed. The retreat will be held at Great Tree.
Judith Toy is co-founder of three practice
communities, Old Path Zendo in Pennsylvania,
Fragrant Lotus Petal Sangha in a men’s medium
security prison, and Cloud Cottage Community of
Mindful Living in Black Mountain. She is former
associate editor of The Mindfulness Bell, the
magazine for English-speaking students of Thich
Nhat Hanh, and is currently book editor for Cloud
Cottage Editions. She has an upcoming essay in
Buddhadharma magazine, and was selected for
inclusion in Best Buddhist Writing 2006.
“Whatever” Retreat
Led by Nancy Spence
Feb. 17-20
Sometimes it’s good not to do too much planning
ahead. This “present moment” retreat will be
based on whatever comes up.
Nancy Spence is teacher and guide of Anattasati
Magga, a Soto Zen Buddhist center in Asheville.
She also has a private counseling practice and
leads personal growth groups.
Introduction to Zen
Led By Jonathon Rendo Flaum
“Try to love the questions themselves, like
locked rooms and like books written in a foreign
language. Do not now look for the answers. At
present you need to live the question.”
—Rainer Maria Rilke
Jonathon Rendo Flaum is founder and director
of The WriteMind Institute for Corporate
Contemplation. He is the author of How the
Red Wolf Found Its Howl: The Internal Journey
to Leadership and How the Paper Fish Learned
to Swim: A Fable about Inspiring Creativity and
Bringing New Ideas to Life. He is also the coauthor of The 100 Mile Walk: A Father and Son
on a Quest to Find the Essence of Leadership.
His work has been featured in BusinessWeek,
The New York Times, Investor’s Business Daily,
and on 800CEOREAD.com. A former playwright
and philosopher of religion, Jonathon has been
a Zen student of Rev. Teijo Munnich’s since the
early 1990s and brings a unique perspective to
everyday practice.
Zen and Ikebana Retreat
Led by Peggy Rowe and Norma Bradley
April 22-24
“When we arrange a flower
we are arranging ourselves”
- Thich Nhat Hanh
Wrapped in a blanket of silence, bathed in the
beauty of the spring season, we will enjoy sitting
and walking meditation, outdoor walking, and
mindful movement. Norma will demonstrate and
teach the principles of Ikebana and participants
will have an opportunity to create an Ikebana
arrangement. We will also enjoy the tea
ceremony as part of our Zen practice and share
delicious vegan meals and friendship.
Peggy Rowe Ward, of Encinitas, California, is
the founder, with her husband Larry Ward, of
Bright Path Sangha and the Lotus Institute. They
co-authored Love’s Garden. Peggy was ordained
by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in 1994 and
received teacher transmission in 2001.
Norma Bradley, of Asheville is an artist,
educator, and Buddhist practitioner who
has been ordained into Thich Nhat Hanh’s
Community of Interbeing. She has been
practicing Ikebana for over five years and
has been arranging flowers since childhood.
Her Earth Quilt Gardens have been created at
schools, hospitals and rehabilitation centers.
March 26, 9 am-noon
Beginner’s Mind Retreat
This class will offer instruction in zazen (sitting
meditation) from the Soto Zen Buddhist
tradition. This simple practice of sitting quietly
is sometimes described as “just sitting.” The
morning will include instruction in basic form,
zazen and kinhin (walking meditation), and
opportunity for questions and discussion.
Led by Rev. Teijo Munnich
and Meredith McIntosh
May 27-30 (3 nights)
At Southern Dharma Retreat Center
This retreat will offer instruction in meditation
from the Soto Zen Buddhist tradition, which is
the simple practice of sitting quietly, sometimes
described as just sitting. Instruction will be
drawn from the teachings of Zen Master Dogen
and movement educator F.M. Alexander, both of
whom emphasized body awareness and ease.
It is offered for both experienced and beginning
practitioners.
The retreat will be co-taught by Rev. Teijo
Munnich and Meredith McIntosh in a supportive
environment. It will include some gentle handson guidance, exercise, stretching, and discussion
opportunities, as well as a flexible schedule that
can be adjusted as needed. There will also be
small group meetings offered with both teachers.
Reverend Teijo Munnich, spiritual director of
Great Tree Zen Temple, is a Dharma heir of Dainin
Katagiri Roshi. She received formal training at
Hokyoji in Minnesota, Tassajara Mountain Center
in California, and Hosshinji Soto in Japan. Her
current interest is in developing Great Tree Zen
Temple, a residential practice center for women.
Meredith McIntosh has studied a wide variety
of massage therapies, including Swedish,
Myotherapy, Reflexology, and the Alexander
Technique, in which she completed a three-year
teacher training course at the Alexander Alliance.
Meredith has been a student of Tangen Harada
Roshi in Japan, where she has spent extensive
time in Zen practice.
Retreats for Women
Women’s Dakini Retreat
Led by Rev. Nancy Spence
and Rev. Teijo Munnich
Nov. 11-14 2010
For many women on the Buddhist path, Kanzeon
is the female ideal of the open, compassionate
heart. Heart-expanding practices such as tonglen
(receiving and sending) allow us to open ourselves
to the “is-ness” of each moment. On this retreat,
we will begin inquiry into the Buddhist female
forms known as dakinis. Often associated with
exuberant energies, dakinis might best be
described as a female embodiment of enlightened
energy. The late Nyingma master Chagdud Tulku
explained, “Dakini refers to the feminine principle
of wisdom that manifests in female form to
benefit beings. This feminine principle embodies
the inseparability of emptiness and wisdom.”
Contacting our heart’s longing for this enlightened
wisdom, we will explore what holds us back from
it. We will evoke dakini energy through guided
imagery, rituals, and meditation. The retreat will
include Dharma teachings and discussions and be
held in silence.
Mother and Child Retreat:
Led by Rev. Teijo Munnich
January 29 -30: 9:30 am Saturday, Jan. 29
(check-in from 7-9 am,orientation 9 am)
through noon Sunday, Jan. 30
7
This retreat is an opportunity for mothers to
strengthen their spiritual practice in a sharing
environment with their children. Activities will
be done together to create an environment
where children naturally learn from the example
of their mother and others. There will also be
opportunities for mothers to share without
children and children to share without mothers.
All ages are welcome. Please notify Great Tree in
advance if you wish to arrive Friday evening.
Practice Opportunities
Great Tree
Zen Temple
“Just Do It!” A Women’s Retreat
Led by Nancy Spence and Rev. Teijo Munnich
April 14-17
An exploration of women’s spirituality through
meditation, study and rituals. Just by doing
spiritual practice together insights come up and
are strengthened. Following a schedule, studying
the Dharma,s and practicing in community we
naturally understand the practice of mindfulness
in everyday life.
Zen Mind, Writing Mind:
A workshop for women
August 5-7
Inspire your writing, enhance your life within
a supportive circle of women. “To control your
cow, give it a wide pasture.” Shunryu Suzuki
expressed this thought and now you will get the
opportunity to explore its meaning. Take down
the fences around your definition of “writing”
and explore what it means to you. In writing,
most of us are bound up by shoulds learned from
teachers, parents, and our own self-doubt. What
if we had beginner’s mind and simply befriended
the words?
We will write and read together in the morning
and explore writing on our own in the afternoon.
No writing or meditation experience is required.
Come with an open mind and empty notebook
and leave with an open heart and a notebook full
of inspiration. Accommodations are dormitory
style. Commuters and campers are welcome.
Peggy Tabor Millin, award-winning author of
Women, Writing, and Soul-Making: Creativity
and the Sacred Feminine, guides women in
developing their voice so they can stand in their
power and make positive change in their lives
and in the world. She provides classes and
retreats nationwide through her organization,
ClarityWorks, Inc.
See www.clarityworksonline.com for more
information.
Children’s Retreat
Monday, July 11, through 5 pm Friday, July 13.
This retreat is an opportunity for children 7 years
and older to experience a modified Zen retreat
schedule. It will include meditation, chanting,
study, discussion, and work. During this retreat
we will consider our behavior in relation to a few
simple precepts.
Everyone welcome!
Dokusan – Private interview with
Rev. Teijo Munnich
Available some afternoons and evenings
between 3:30 – 4:30 and 7 – 9 pm. If you
cannot come during designated times,
appointments may be arranged for another
time. For an appointment contact info@
greattreetemple.org or call 828 645-2085.
Weekly Practice – Open to the public
and
Mars Hill College
offer
A Three Week
Thursdays 6 am - 11 am: Meditation,
chanting, breakfast, communal work (come for
any part and stay as long as you wish)
Tuesdays 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm: Sangha
meditation and study group
Please call 828-645-2085 or email info@
greattree.org at least one day in advance if
you plan to attend.
Meditation Retreat
for Undergraduate Students
Mindful Body Mindful Breath
June 1 – 21, 2011
at Great Tree Zen Temple
An opportunity for deep inner exploration,
meditation practice, and immersion in
mindful community life.
Cost: Tuition, food, lodging and 3
credit hours for Mars Hill College –
$3,000
This three-week internship in monastic
Zen meditation is open to three to eight
undergraduate students. Mars Hill College
will offer up to three credit hours in Religious Studies to participants. An intensive
exploration of mindfulness in meditation
and everyday life in a residential setting,
this meditation experience is modeled
after the Japanese monastic tradition.
Students work, study, and meditate as a
community in a retreat setting with the
Reverend Teijo Munnich. For more information contact Great Tree for a brochure.
Summer Children’s Retreat
Six children ages 7-11 participated in a two-day
retreat this summer. Here’s a reflection on the time
from Drew and Chloe Hargrove, ages 11 and 9.
This year’s Children’s Retreat was inspiring. We
found by learning the basics of Buddha, Dharma,
and Sangha that there is so much more to learn.
All the kids participated in zazen, making a
Dharma wheel, and working in clay. Our meals
were eaten with chopsticks and we shared in the
cleanup. We had a bit of free time and played
cards, watched a movie, and played around. In the
zendo the group did a relaxation meditation and
we all feel asleep. But other times we sat for as
long as 30 minutes. The Buddha Song we learned
got stuck in everyone’s heads. Teijo planned a
closing ceremony, and everyone worked hard to
learn the complicated steps. We banged the big
bell and helped with the reading. All together, we
did it! Teijo, by just being herself, made us all feel
safe and part of a very special Sangha. Thank you,
Great Tree Zen Temple!
8
Great Tree Zen Temple
679 Lower Flat Creek Rd
Alexander, NC 28701
NON PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
WEAVERVILLE, NC
PERMIT NO. 53
If you wish to be excluded from future mailings
please let us know by emailing us at:
[email protected]
Or write us at the above address.
VOLUNTEER FORM - GREAT TREE ZEN TEMPLE
Date:______________
Name:__________________________________________________________
Address:________________________________________________________
Tel:___________________ Cell:________________ Work:_______________
Email: _________________________________________________________
Volunteer preference –please circle all that apply:
indoor
cleaning
outdoor
sedentary desk (non-computer)
gardening
Frequency: weekly
creating flyers
monthly
financial
quarterly
computer
writing
newsletters mailings
other: _________________
Available Day(s) M Tu W Th F Sa Su Hours/Times____________
Special skills: __________________________________________________
Thank you for offering to be of service at Great Tree!
We will be contacting you soon to hook you up with the perfect job for you!
Serving Those Who Serve
At Great Tree Zen Temple, volunteering is a form of practice as well as a way to support the work of the temple. There are many tasks required to improve and maintain Great Tree and you can learn more about many of them in this newsletter. In
addition to these is the opportunity to help our volunteer program work smoothly.
We thank Board Member Anna Matheson for having served as Volunteer Coordinator for Great Tree Zen Temple and as she steps out of this role, we are appealing to
the Sangha for a new volunteer to step into it. If you enjoy communicating with
others who want to contribute their time and talent to Great Tree and have your
own organizational talent to contribute, this may be the job for you.
The Volunteer Coordinator promotes Great Tree in the following ways:
• Contacting people interested in volunteering and determining the best way for
them to help
• Maintaining a list of active volunteers and tasks performed by volunteers
• Nurturing volunteers - providing thanks and feedback and answering questions
• Coordinating with Great Tree administrative assistant Caroline Yongue to
maintain a calendar of volunteer activities at Great Tree
• Communicating with Rev. Munnich and the Board of Directors about volunteer
needs and activities
Email: [email protected] Phone: 828 645-2085
Mail: Great Tree Zen Temple, 679 Lower Flat Creek Road, Alexander, NC 28701
• Providing updates on volunteer needs for the website, newsletter and other
communications
If you are interested in serving as Great Tree’s Volunteer Coordinator or would like to
learn more about this opportunity, please call Stephanie Jones-Byrne at 828-335-1533.
Art, Craft, & Bake Sale
Share Your Talents
If you would like to make a donation,
volunteer, register for an event, or get
information, please contact us at:
Saturday, December 11, 11 am - 4 pm
Sunday, December 12, 11 am - 2 pm
(after Buddha’s Enlightenment Celebration)
origami box
Great Tree Zen Temple
679 Lower Flat Creek Road
Alexander, NC 28701
Location: To Be Announced on Website
All types of arts and crafts, as well as baked treats, canned goods,
and other food items will be sold to raise money for Great Tree.
Also consider donating spa items or services, and items such as
note cards, origami, or mugs. Start your projects now! We will begin
collecting your donations in late November. Please send an email
to Brook Reynolds at [email protected] if you have any
questions, want to volunteer to help during the event, or plan to
contribute something to the sale.
828-645-2085
[email protected]
www.greattreetemple.org
Help Us Grow!
Your support is greatly appreciated.
Without you, Great Tree would not have
become a reality!
Great Tree is a 501(c)3 religious organization, registered with the State of North Carolina