{"id":7064,"date":"2013-08-20T07:54:12","date_gmt":"2013-08-20T11:54:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/monkeymind\/?p=7064"},"modified":"2013-08-20T07:55:57","modified_gmt":"2013-08-20T11:55:57","slug":"zen-in-the-great-heartland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/monkeymind\/2013\/08\/zen-in-the-great-heartland.html","title":{"rendered":"Zen in the Great Heartland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

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\nHad such a lovely time visiting with the Great Heartland Buddhist Temple of Toledo<\/a> over the weekend. I joined them for the end of their jukai sesshin and then served as principal celebrant at the jukai service on Sunday. <\/p>\n

In addition to the adults who all completed a rigorous months long program in preparation, teens and children made various promises in age appropriate versions of the ceremony.<\/p>\n

I am particularly impressed at how they are maintaining a pretty hard core traditional Zen practice, including near monthly sesshin, while also reaching out to families and others who find a Sunday service featuring a pointing to deeper perspectives including ethical teachings as foundational to a healthy life. Their Dharma<\/a> school program is something to behold.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m fascinated at the beginnings of what can truly be seen as a Western style for our Zen lives. <\/p>\n

And, no doubt, the Toledo community are helping to lead the way\u2026<\/p>\n