30 Participants Have Pre-Registered - We’ve reached Capacity
But you can join the waiting list Via Google Docs

Dharma Circle Special Event

May 4th, 9:30AM to 11AM
Empty Bowl Zendo, 36 South Street, Morristown NJ

EBZ Welcomes Heart Circle Sangha and Clear Mountain Zen to Our Discussion of:

"Embracing Life As It Is:
Lessons From Wabi-Sabi, Haiku, and Zen"

with Authors Alan Gettis and Carl Genjo Bachmann

In haiku, we pay attention to the moment without embellishment. We embrace the moment as it is, not how we would like it to be. Just this, right here, right now.

Wabi-sabi is paying attention to and appreciating this object or this person at this time, as is, also without embellishment. It’s valuing imperfection, impermanence, and the natural devolving of everything born or made. Just this, right here, right now, as is.

Zen also teaches us to pay attention. The past is gone. The future is unknown. The only thing we have is this present moment.

Meditation helps us to mindfully attend to this moment, just this breath, right here and right now. We learn to be where we are, completely.

Our premise is that wabi-sabi, haiku, and Zen all provide important lessons in many things, including selflessness, acceptance, nondiscrimination, compassion, self-compassion, and impermanence.

This workshop is based on the book, "Embracing Life As It Is: Lessons From Wabi-Sabi, Haiku, and Zen", by Alan Gettis and Carl Genjo Bachmann.

After 10 minutes of meditation, there will be a presentation by the authors, followed by a practice circle. Light refreshments will follow.

About the Authors:

Alan+Gettis.jpg

Alan Gettis has been a practicing psychologist for 50 years and is still learning. He is a past vice-president of the Haiku Society of America, and his haiku have been published in journals throughout the world, including the United States, Australia, Canada, and Japan. This is his sixth book.

Carl Bachman Small.jpg

Sensei Carl Genjo Bachmann is a zen teacher in the white plum lineage. He received dharma transmission from Robert Kennedy Roshi. He is the teacher and one of the founders of the Clear Mountain Zen Center (ClearMountainZen.org) in Montclair, New Jersey.
Carl also maintains his practice as a psychotherapist.


30 Participants Have Pre-Registered - We’ve reached Capacity
But you can join the waiting list Via Google Docs

  • An email reminder will be sent to you prior to the event.

  • In the event of inclement weather and cancellation, you will be notified via email

  • Empty Bowl address, parking info and access to building are noted on the Empty Bowl website on page Parking at EBZ

  • There will be some copies of the book available for purchase that day but you are encouraged to purchase the book in advance

  • We request donations on the day of the event, cash or check made out to Empty Bowl - proceeds to go to St. Judes

Please bring any haiku or wabi-sabi you might like to share during practice circle!

Please Email Beth Bachman or Dale Spriggs with any questions about this event