As the weather grows cooler and the prairie and gardens prepare for winter, we enter our fall season of retreats, workshops and classes here are Great Plains Zen Center.  Retreats offered this fall range from a weekend to five days in length and part time participation and sliding scale fees are always available.  We have a

Great Plains Zen Center's Wisdom Heart Prairie is ablaze with color this month -- especially the yellows of goldenrods, grey-headed coneflower, rosinweed, prairie dock, and false sunflower. Many thanks to all those who have helped with controlling aggressive species, burns, and planting. More native species are appearing with each year and the prairie is home to many birds, animals and insects as well.

Great Plains Zen Center is changing the frequency and format of our newsletters.  Each month, those on our community email list will receive a monthly newsletter (like this one) and periodic updates, special announcements and reminders (3-4 times per month).  We hope this will give you more timely notification about events and

Sangha Newsletter for May through July 2018

In this issue:

• Maezumi Roshi Memorial Zazenkai, May 11-13
• Ekyo Maezumi Zen Painting Classes, May 19
• Three-Day Sesshin, June 7-10
• "Everyday Life is the Way" Seven-Day Sesshin, July 8-15

Our next retreat is the Maezumi Roshi Memorial Zazenkai, which runs May 11-13. Please register as soon as possible.

Sangha Newsletter for February through April 2018

In this issue:

• Nirvana Day Zazenkai, Feb. 16-18
• Beginner's Mind Sesshin, March 16-18
• Our Living Soil Classes in February and March
• Buddha's Birthday Celebration, April 8
• Three-Day Sesshin, April 12-15

Our next retreat is the Nirvana Day Zazenkai, which runs February 16-18. Please register as soon as possible.

Sangha Newsletter for November 2017 through January 2018

In this issue:

• A new affiliate, the Beloit Zen Community.
• Our first Waking Up for Racial Justice class, part of a monthly series, will be held on December 2.
• Our Rohatsu Sesshin will be held Dec. 5-10.
• We have posted our 2018 retreat schedule.

Our next retreat is the November Zazenkai, which runs November 10-12. Please register as soon as possible.

Sangha Newsletter for August through October 2017

In this issue:

• An upcoming Day of Council Practice workshop on Saturday, September 16.
• On October 8, the GPZC is again participating in the Monroe, WI CROP Walk.
• Our Beginner's Mind Sesshin will be held Sep. 22-24.
• We have recently updated our community service opportunity listings.

Sangha Newsletter for May through July 2017

In this issue:

• Our first-ever Pet/Animal Blessing Ceremony will be held at Myoshinji in the afternoon of May 21.
• We welcome a visit from Jadina Lilien and Tiokasin Ghosthorse for a book signing and presentation at Trickster Gallery in Schaumburg on Saturday, June 24 at 1:00 PM.

Sangha Newsletter for February through April 2017

In this issue:

• Nirvana Day Zazenkai Feb. 10-12
• Council Training March 5
• Beginner's Mind Sesshin March 17-19
• Buddha's Birthday Celebration April 8
• Chicago Street Retreat April 20-23

Our next retreat is the Nirvana Day Zazenkai, which begins Friday, February 10 and ends Sunday, February 12. Please register soon.

Sangha Newsletter for November 2016 through January 2017

In this issue:

• Rohatsu Sesshin Dec. 6-11
• Gate of Sweet Nectar Ceremony and Write for Rights Dec. 11
• Three-Day Sesshin Jan. 5-8
• Building Renovation Project Completed

Our next retreat is the Rohatsu Sesshin, which begins Tuesday, December 6 and ends Sunday, December 11. Please register soon.