Site updates

Just a quick note to say that I've updated the details around the weekly schedule and guidelines for your first visit. In summary:

The monthly Saturdays are no longer running (we just weren't getting enough interest to pay the rent I'm afraid!) - but of course note that this coming Saturday 11 Feb we're having a Zazenkai (practice day) in Collingtree village just outside Northampton.

Secondly, we're not running monthly intro evenings anymore, but rather just encouraging people to come along to any Wednesday evening that suits you. Third Wednesdays of each month are still ideal for us, and if there's demand we'll still run a formal hour-long intro, but for the most part we'll do shorter, more informal introductions whenever necessary.

We're a very small group, and really appreciate it when people come and join us - please give it a try!

Day of Zen - Saturday 11 Feb

We'll be holding another Day of Zen in Collingtree Village Hall on Saturday 11 February, 2017. The format will be a traditional zazenkai format of sitting & walking meditation, chanting service, samu (mindful work period) and a shared lunch. There will also be a dharma talk and one-on-one interviews to support your meditation practice.

The day will run from 9.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and instruction will be given for any beginners (you're very welcome to come along for your first time).

A vegetarian lunch will be provided, but if you have any specific requirements, please bring a bagged lunch of your own. Dress comfortably, in dark or earth tones (so as not be a distraction to others), wear a rakusu if you have one.

Suggested donation: £20 (£15 concessions) - all proceeds go to support the Northampton group.

To find the venue: point your satnav to NN4 0NE; the village hall is across from the pub (Wooden Walls of Old England - v quaint pub name!). Or... going up the A45 from the M1 junction, take the first exit off at the Hilton Hotel which is only about a quarter of a mile from the M1 roundabout. Pass the Hilton entrance, and about a third of a mile later you get to High Street, Collingtree. Turn right: the village hall is about 50m along on the left. Park anywhere on the street - might be more parking further down the High Street where it becomes Lodge Ave.

Email me (alasdair@gordon-finlayson.net) or call on 07807 753 781 if you've any questions or to let me know you're coming.

Happy New Year!

I've been thinking about New Year's resolutions recently. So many of my friends dismiss them, based on repeated experience of failure, and I get that - but on the other hand, there's something wonderful about marking the change of the year by consciously and in determined fashion formulating an intention.

I've a couple of clear intentions this year - one is to improve my physical health which is not bad but not great. So - more walking, cycling and fewer short car trips. The other is to bolster the regularity of my practice. For some people, zazen seems to be an intrinsically rewarding activity requiring no effort or determination to get on the cushion. I've always envied people like that! So this year I will be practising more regularly. I've really slacked off over Christmas! I know (hope!) that when I get into it again, build up a head of steam of regular practice, that it will become self-sustaining, but effort is required to overcome inertia.

Intentions embody our highest ideals, they give shape to how we believe we - and the world - should be. So here's to New Year's Resolutions: may we aspire to manifest ourselves fully in 2017, and may we put in the effort to do so.