Hello!
Looking for something positive and relaxing to look forward to? As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, there is still so much beautiful nature to experience. We are excited to continue this informal Downtown Dharma haiku series with an autumnal hike through Rock Creek 😊
What: Please join us for our Fall Contemplative Haiku Hike through Rock Creek Park! Participants will learn how haiku relate to mindfulness and Zen Buddhism and receive brief instructions on how to write haiku. We will then take a mindful 2-mile hike, taking breaks to write our own haiku about the nature we observe. (Haiku are short, accessible poems that typically evoke nature and contemplation of the present moment. Find examples of famous haiku here.)
When: Saturday, November 30, Noon-4pm (We will inform the sangha listserv and RSVP'd participants at least 24 hours in advance if the event will be canceled due to inclement weather.)
Where: We will meet at Noon at Saku Saku Flakerie in Cleveland Park. Then, we will hike approximately 2.3 miles on Reservation 630 Trail to a cafe in Mount Pleasant. See the tentative route at the bottom of this email.
Who: Please RSVP at this sign-up sheet. All are welcome! While our pace will be slow and steady, this event is best suited for people who feel comfortable hiking more than 2 miles on park trails that are uneven and have some inclines and declines.
How: No experience necessary! We will go over simple instructions on how to write haiku. Paper and a handout on haiku will be provided. Please bring your own pen and a notebook if possible, as well as $$ for drinks or snacks at Saku Saku Flakerie and Dos Gringos Cafe.
Why: While haiku is not a strictly Buddhist form of poetry, haiku and Zen are closely linked historically and thematically. Haiku relies on the senses and encourages contemplation of the present moment, so both new and experienced meditators may enjoy practicing haiku as a way to engage with mindfulness. See additional resources at the bottom of this email for more info.
Questions? Please email Judy (lavelle@bu.edu) and Anushi (anushigarg.19@gmail.com).
<3 Judy & Anushi
Hike Route:
Further Resources on Contemplative Haiku:
These are completely optional! No need to explore them before you attend.
Podcast: Writing and Haiku as Spiritual Practice (Tara Brach Interviews Natalie Goldberg)
Discussion on haiku, its relationship to spirituality, and Goldberg's book Three Simple Lines begins in earnest at timestamp 10:35.
Article: Haiku: A Whole Lot More than 5-7-5
This comprehensive article covers a linguistic perspective on the differences between Japanese and English haiku, as well as some principles ("rules") of haiku and the traditional haiku masters.
Article: Why Haiku Holds the Flavor of Zen
This brief article explores the Zen nature of haiku and connects the form to some principles from Western writing, if folks are more familiar with that.
Site: The Monthly Tricycle Haiku Challenge
This site is a hub for Buddhists interested in writing and sharing haiku, including submitting to a regular contest.
