Hello Downtown Dharma!
It's really starting to feel like fall... which means it's time for our annual autumnal haiku event ๐๐งก
When: Saturday, August 29, 10am - 12:30pm (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 10am near the Pierce Barn (2401 Tilden St NW) to gather for a ~15-minute introduction. Then, we will hike approximately 2.5 miles up the Western Ridge Trail to Boulder Bridge and loop back down the Valley Trail to end where we began. Lot parking is typically available near the start/end of our route. See the tentative route at the bottom of this email.
Who: Please RSVP on Partiful -
You can email if you don’t want to use Partiful.) All are welcome–no experience required! We have capped participation at 25 to ensure a great experience for everyone. While our pace will be slow and steady, this event is best suited for people who feel comfortable hiking more than 2.5 miles on park trails that are uneven and have some steep inclines and declines.
How: No experience necessary! We will go over simple instructions on how to write haiku. A handout on haiku will be provided. Please bring a pen and notebook.
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 Jude (judelavellewrites@gmail.com).
<3 Jude
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 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.
https://www.downtowndharmadc.org/
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