Facing the World as It Is: We live in a Nme, when for many of us, we struggle with the daily
realiNes in our personal lives, our communiNes and ciNes, our country and world. We can find
ourselves longing to be in a different Nme and place. These can elicit strong, powerful emoNons
that can be overwhelming at Nmes. This can weigh heavily on our hearts and cloud our views and
experiences of ourselves, each other and our lives.
Buddhist pracNce and meditaNon helps us reclaim our natural capacity to face what is difficult
without denial, avoidance or distracNon. In this evening talk and discussion, we’ll examine this
more closely and see how we each have the capacity to meet the reality of each moment in ways
that enliven our minds and bring compassion into our relaNonships with others. (Shugen Roshi)
Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi
Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi is the Head of the Mountains and Rivers Order and Abbot of Zen
Mountain Monastery. Shugen entered full-Nme residenNal training in 1986 and received dharma
transmission from John Daido Loori, Roshi in 1997.
His teachings on Zen, social jusNce, and environmental stewardship have appeared in various
Buddhist journals, and The Best Buddhist WriNng 2009. (Shambhala PublicaNons)