We are a small, independent, nondenominational Zen Buddhist sangha based in Glasgow, but practicing internationally, with members currently in Scotland, England, France, Italy, and various American states. Our members include Zen monks, a Christian nun, a witch, Unitarians, and... others. Our practice is zazen, which means “sitting in meditation.” We think of our practice as “Zen for real life,” for people who don't have the leisure to go on lengthy retreats. Because of COVID-19, our meetings are currently online only.
City Cave Zen has a weekly meeting by video, using Jitsi, every Sunday at 6 pm Scottish time. The meeting lasts an hour, and includes a short chanting service, 25 minutes of zazen (meditation), followed by a Dharma talk and discussion. If you'd like to join us, email us and we'll send you the link, the password, and our liturgy. Please make sure your camera is on, as invisible lurkers will be removed from the meeting.
My name is Dogo. I'm from Maryhill, Glasgow, and I've practiced Zen Buddhism for three decades. I lived in the US for 22 years, and served for six years as the Abbot of The Sitting Frog Zen Centre in Phoenix, Arizona. I moved back to Glasgow in 2017, following the election of Donald Trump, and I once again live in Maryhill. I'm married to daishin. She and I also post on a group blog, Stone, River, Mountain, along with our Dharma brother Jikan. The three of us are usually to be found at the weekly online City Cave Zen meeting.
To me, Zen practice is about meeting life as it is. When we attach to a problem, we make the problem worse. When we attach to a solution, we make the problem worse.