Re: From Greg Clark: Urban hiking
You did a beautiful thing Greg.?
On Thu, Apr 30, 2020, 10:00 AM Zen Center of Denver Office < office@...> wrote: Forwarded via the office:
The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing orders couldn’t have come at a worse time for me. I just went through a stem cell transplant for an aggressive form of lymphoma and I was very ready to start my recovery – physically and emotionally. I’m an avid outdoorsperson and spend as much time skiing and hiking as possible. I was just getting ready to get started again when the state was basically shut down. I had a little ‘woe is me’ attitude going. To compensate, I (like many others) logged miles on local county hiking trails. One Sunday, a couple weeks ago, my wife suggested I do an urban hike.?
?
I thought it was a terrific idea, which I set out to do, but with a simple twist. I’ve been involved in various homeless activities around Denver including ‘Everyone Counts’, protest marches, ZPI Street Retreat, and organized the Zen Center of Denver’s coat drive for the homeless. I decided to go to a local store, purchase socks and underwear for both men and women, and pass these out to people I met along the way.?
?
I grabbed my dog (see first photo), loaded my backpack with the clothing items and set out from Union Station and walked up 16th Street Mall (see map) and handed out a several dozen pair of socks and underwear. Along the way, I encountered a group (see second photo) providing meals. They offered me some which I declined, leaving for others who need it.?  
Along the way, I got many nice thank you's and comments that I was doing good things. That was reaffirming, but not really the point. During my stem cell transplant and the subsequent shelter in place situation, I realized just how lucky I am. I could not imagine fighting lymphoma living in a shelter or on the street. I was in strict isolation when not in the clinic, not even allowed to go to the store, recreation or work (not that I felt much like doing those things). Had I not had the extreme fortune of a home, insurance, a loving spouse and family, and a supportive Zen Center, I might not have survived this. This I know.
?
I also know that the poor folks who have no home are experiencing COVID-19 in a way far worse than my circumstances of being shut in my home. They have no home to be shut into. If I could provide the tiniest modicum of comfort, I’m glad for that.
?
- Greg Clark
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Re: From Greg Clark: Urban hiking
Dear Greg, Thank you for this inspiring story. ?It has been such a pleasure to get to know you and I look forward to the time when I can sit down and get to know you better. You are clearly a person worth getting to know, but then, I knew that… Many blessings,
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Greg, ? Thanks for your story.? I have been thinking a lot since last week about what little things I can do to make a difference right now.? Your story is inspiring for choosing something that can have an immediate impact.? And thank-you Karin for the reminder to pick some organizations to support each month; I reached out to two international non-profits that I have supported for years doing work I Myanmmar and Nepal-the Shanta Foundation and the dZi foundation. ? I wanted to offer a concrete opportunity too for anyone that is struggling with what to do and how to impact someones life personally right now.? A friend has been helping a Navajo family in Arizona; the reservation has been really hit hard and people are struggling.? He let people know that if you are interested in helping, money is always appreciated of course but even more important is sending food as stores are experiencing shortages.? If this sounds appealing to you let me know and I can share the information that my friend shared with me.? I sent off two boxes of canned goods yesterday which just felt like a practical and impactful thing to be able to do.? They will share with others if they receive too much; there has been a good response to Eric’s initial request for help.? They have several diabled family members that they are trying to support to in other parts of the res.? They tend to have to drive long distances which is tough because there is a curfew and there are fuel shortages apparently too. ? Anyway, let me know if this piques your interest. ? Thanks again Karin and Greg. ? Warmly, ? David H. Marvin 970-759-5922 ? ? ? On Thu, Apr 30, 2020 at 10:00 AM Zen Center of Denver Office < office@...> wrote: Forwarded via the office: The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing orders couldn’t have come at a worse time for me. I just went through a stem cell transplant for an aggressive form of lymphoma and I was very ready to start my recovery – physically and emotionally. I’m an avid outdoorsperson and spend as much time skiing and hiking as possible. I was just getting ready to get started again when the state was basically shut down. I had a little ‘woe is me’ attitude going. To compensate, I (like many others) logged miles on local county hiking trails. One Sunday, a couple weeks ago, my wife suggested I do an urban hike.? I thought it was a terrific idea, which I set out to do, but with a simple twist. I’ve been involved in various homeless activities around Denver including ‘Everyone Counts’, protest marches, ZPI Street Retreat, and organized the Zen Center of Denver’s coat drive for the homeless. I decided to go to a local store, purchase socks and underwear for both men and women, and pass these out to people I met along the way.? I grabbed my dog (see first photo), loaded my backpack with the clothing items and set out from Union Station and walked up 16th Street Mall (see map) and handed out a several dozen pair of socks and underwear. Along the way, I encountered a group (see second photo) providing meals. They offered me some which I declined, leaving for others who need it.?
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<image002.png> Along the way, I got many nice thank you's and comments that I was doing good things. That was reaffirming, but not really the point. During my stem cell transplant and the subsequent shelter in place situation, I realized just how lucky I am. I could not imagine fighting lymphoma living in a shelter or on the street. I was in strict isolation when not in the clinic, not even allowed to go to the store, recreation or work (not that I felt much like doing those things). Had I not had the extreme fortune of a home, insurance, a loving spouse and family, and a supportive Zen Center, I might not have survived this. This I know. I also know that the poor folks who have no home are experiencing COVID-19 in a way far worse than my circumstances of being shut in my home. They have no home to be shut into. If I could provide the tiniest modicum of comfort, I’m glad for that.
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Re: From Greg Clark: Urban hiking
Greg, ? Thanks for your story.? I have been thinking a lot since last week about what little things I can do to make a difference right now.? Your story is inspiring for choosing something that can have an immediate impact.? And thank-you Karin for the reminder to pick some organizations to support each month; I reached out to two international non-profits that I have supported for years doing work I Myanmmar and Nepal-the Shanta Foundation and the dZi foundation. ? I wanted to offer a concrete opportunity too for anyone that is struggling with what to do and how to impact someones life personally right now.? A friend has been helping a Navajo family in Arizona; the reservation has been really hit hard and people are struggling.? He let people know that if you are interested in helping, money is always appreciated of course but even more important is sending food as stores are experiencing shortages.? If this sounds appealing to you let me know and I can share the information that my friend shared with me.? I sent off two boxes of canned goods yesterday which just felt like a practical and impactful thing to be able to do.? They will share with others if they receive too much; there has been a good response to Eric’s initial request for help.? They have several diabled family members that they are trying to support to in other parts of the res.? They tend to have to drive long distances which is tough because there is a curfew and there are fuel shortages apparently too. ? Anyway, let me know if this piques your interest. ? Thanks again Karin and Greg. ? Warmly, ? David H. Marvin 970-759-5922 Confluenceleadershipgroup.com ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Michael Griffiths Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2020 10:34 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [zcd] From Greg Clark: Urban hiking ? ? On Thu, Apr 30, 2020 at 10:00 AM Zen Center of Denver Office <office@...> wrote: Forwarded via the office: The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing orders couldn’t have come at a worse time for me. I just went through a stem cell transplant for an aggressive form of lymphoma and I was very ready to start my recovery – physically and emotionally. I’m an avid outdoorsperson and spend as much time skiing and hiking as possible. I was just getting ready to get started again when the state was basically shut down. I had a little ‘woe is me’ attitude going. To compensate, I (like many others) logged miles on local county hiking trails. One Sunday, a couple weeks ago, my wife suggested I do an urban hike.? I thought it was a terrific idea, which I set out to do, but with a simple twist. I’ve been involved in various homeless activities around Denver including ‘Everyone Counts’, protest marches, ZPI Street Retreat, and organized the Zen Center of Denver’s coat drive for the homeless. I decided to go to a local store, purchase socks and underwear for both men and women, and pass these out to people I met along the way.? I grabbed my dog (see first photo), loaded my backpack with the clothing items and set out from Union Station and walked up 16th Street Mall (see map) and handed out a several dozen pair of socks and underwear. Along the way, I encountered a group (see second photo) providing meals. They offered me some which I declined, leaving for others who need it.?
 Along the way, I got many nice thank you's and comments that I was doing good things. That was reaffirming, but not really the point. During my stem cell transplant and the subsequent shelter in place situation, I realized just how lucky I am. I could not imagine fighting lymphoma living in a shelter or on the street. I was in strict isolation when not in the clinic, not even allowed to go to the store, recreation or work (not that I felt much like doing those things). Had I not had the extreme fortune of a home, insurance, a loving spouse and family, and a supportive Zen Center, I might not have survived this. This I know. I also know that the poor folks who have no home are experiencing COVID-19 in a way far worse than my circumstances of being shut in my home. They have no home to be shut into. If I could provide the tiniest modicum of comfort, I’m glad for that.
-- Warmly, David H. Marvin
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Re: From Greg Clark: Urban hiking
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On Thu, Apr 30, 2020 at 10:00 AM Zen Center of Denver Office < office@...> wrote: Forwarded via the office:
The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing orders couldn’t have come at a worse time for me. I just went through a stem cell transplant for an aggressive form of lymphoma and I was very ready to start my recovery – physically and emotionally. I’m an avid outdoorsperson and spend as much time skiing and hiking as possible. I was just getting ready to get started again when the state was basically shut down. I had a little ‘woe is me’ attitude going. To compensate, I (like many others) logged miles on local county hiking trails. One Sunday, a couple weeks ago, my wife suggested I do an urban hike.?
?
I thought it was a terrific idea, which I set out to do, but with a simple twist. I’ve been involved in various homeless activities around Denver including ‘Everyone Counts’, protest marches, ZPI Street Retreat, and organized the Zen Center of Denver’s coat drive for the homeless. I decided to go to a local store, purchase socks and underwear for both men and women, and pass these out to people I met along the way.?
?
I grabbed my dog (see first photo), loaded my backpack with the clothing items and set out from Union Station and walked up 16th Street Mall (see map) and handed out a several dozen pair of socks and underwear. Along the way, I encountered a group (see second photo) providing meals. They offered me some which I declined, leaving for others who need it.?  
Along the way, I got many nice thank you's and comments that I was doing good things. That was reaffirming, but not really the point. During my stem cell transplant and the subsequent shelter in place situation, I realized just how lucky I am. I could not imagine fighting lymphoma living in a shelter or on the street. I was in strict isolation when not in the clinic, not even allowed to go to the store, recreation or work (not that I felt much like doing those things). Had I not had the extreme fortune of a home, insurance, a loving spouse and family, and a supportive Zen Center, I might not have survived this. This I know.
?
I also know that the poor folks who have no home are experiencing COVID-19 in a way far worse than my circumstances of being shut in my home. They have no home to be shut into. If I could provide the tiniest modicum of comfort, I’m glad for that.
?
- Greg Clark
|
From Greg Clark: Urban hiking
Forwarded via the office:
The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing orders couldn’t have come at a worse time for me. I just went through a stem cell transplant for an aggressive form of lymphoma and I was very ready to start my recovery – physically and emotionally. I’m an avid outdoorsperson and spend as much time skiing and hiking as possible. I was just getting ready to get started again when the state was basically shut down. I had a little ‘woe is me’ attitude going. To compensate, I (like many others) logged miles on local county hiking trails. One Sunday, a couple weeks ago, my wife suggested I do an urban hike.?
?
I thought it was a terrific idea, which I set out to do, but with a simple twist. I’ve been involved in various homeless activities around Denver including ‘Everyone Counts’, protest marches, ZPI Street Retreat, and organized the Zen Center of Denver’s coat drive for the homeless. I decided to go to a local store, purchase socks and underwear for both men and women, and pass these out to people I met along the way.?
?
I grabbed my dog (see first photo), loaded my backpack with the clothing items and set out from Union Station and walked up 16th Street Mall (see map) and handed out a several dozen pair of socks and underwear. Along the way, I encountered a group (see second photo) providing meals. They offered me some which I declined, leaving for others who need it.?  
Along the way, I got many nice thank you's and comments that I was doing good things. That was reaffirming, but not really the point. During my stem cell transplant and the subsequent shelter in place situation, I realized just how lucky I am. I could not imagine fighting lymphoma living in a shelter or on the street. I was in strict isolation when not in the clinic, not even allowed to go to the store, recreation or work (not that I felt much like doing those things). Had I not had the extreme fortune of a home, insurance, a loving spouse and family, and a supportive Zen Center, I might not have survived this. This I know.
?
I also know that the poor folks who have no home are experiencing COVID-19 in a way far worse than my circumstances of being shut in my home. They have no home to be shut into. If I could provide the tiniest modicum of comfort, I’m glad for that.
?
- Greg Clark
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Sweet thank you nice to share these memories of such a great city
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Thank you for sharing this, David.? Tears came to my eyes, too; we have had combinations of sons and their families living in NYC for the past 3 1/2 years,?and had been visiting often.? I love that city.
Duane
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Thank you for sharing this, David.? Tears came to my eyes, too; we have had combinations of sons and their families living in NYC for the past 3 1/2 years,?and had been visiting often.? I love that city.
Duane
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I am so happy you liked it. ?Only someone who has lived there knows these particular and infuriating but beloved? characteristics. ?I hope you are well and happy making things… hugs,
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On Apr 29, 2020, at 10:57 AM, Francine Campone < francine@...> wrote:
This is a lovely, lyrical and bittersweet essay about my home town.? Thanks for sharing this, David ? Francine ? ? A friend (also an exile from NYC) sent me this.? I couldn’t help but cry…
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A friend (also an exile from NYC) sent me this. ?I couldn’t help but cry… Blessings,
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On Apr 29, 2020, at 9:25 AM, Ken Morgareidge < kmorgareidge73@...> wrote: I do a lot of staring out the front window at the big silver maple that is just starting to show leaves. Not a waste of time at all. Peace, Ken On Apr 28, 2020, at 9:43 PM, Fred Becker < voigtzen@...> wrote:
Thank you Martin for your warm caring of Rōshies, squirrels and all beings.
Amituofo!
Get
Ken Rōshi,
Thank you for sharing your haiku.
My home office is on second floor of our townhome and there is a squirrel's nest in a tree I look out upon. Every now and then early in the morning I see one?pop out of the nest and run out to the end of the branch. I assume, since it is a mammal like
me, it just awoke and is running out on the branch to take a pee. "A squirrel peeps out." reminds me of that and warms my heart.
After the sangha meeting last Sunday, my heart was in a dark hole, somewhere between melancholy and a down right foul mood. I realized it was fear and I was (and am) haunted by the unanswerable question for me of what would it take for me to feel comfortable
to go back to the temple again and sit in the zendo with others?
Seeing one of the containers that I had planted with early spring vegetables filled with small sprouts warmed my heart, like reading about the squirrel and thinking about the one I occasionally see.
I also wanted to let you know I very much miss samu and am looking forward to practicing that again. I think about it while cleaning the house or preparing and cleaning up after a meal, especially when I'm doing the dishes.
This practice is a work in progress for me.
How are you doing in this coronavirus cloistering??
Gassho,
Martin
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I do a lot of staring out the front window at the big silver maple that is just starting to show leaves. Not a waste of time at all. Peace, Ken
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On Apr 28, 2020, at 9:43 PM, Fred Becker < voigtzen@...> wrote:
Thank you Martin for your warm caring of Rōshies, squirrels and all beings.
Amituofo!
Get
Ken Rōshi,
Thank you for sharing your haiku.
My home office is on second floor of our townhome and there is a squirrel's nest in a tree I look out upon. Every now and then early in the morning I see one?pop out of the nest and run out to the end of the branch. I assume, since it is a mammal like
me, it just awoke and is running out on the branch to take a pee. "A squirrel peeps out." reminds me of that and warms my heart.
After the sangha meeting last Sunday, my heart was in a dark hole, somewhere between melancholy and a down right foul mood. I realized it was fear and I was (and am) haunted by the unanswerable question for me of what would it take for me to feel comfortable
to go back to the temple again and sit in the zendo with others?
Seeing one of the containers that I had planted with early spring vegetables filled with small sprouts warmed my heart, like reading about the squirrel and thinking about the one I occasionally see.
I also wanted to let you know I very much miss samu and am looking forward to practicing that again. I think about it while cleaning the house or preparing and cleaning up after a meal, especially when I'm doing the dishes.
This practice is a work in progress for me.
How are you doing in this coronavirus cloistering??
Gassho,
Martin
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I saw that too, but I couldn’t put it into those words. Lovely.
dvb
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On Apr 28, 2020, at 3:20 PM, Ken Morgareidge <kmorgareidge73@...> wrote:
Tree leafs out in sun
A deep dark hole: Mystery!
A squirrel peeps out.
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Thank you Martin for your warm caring of Rōshies, squirrels and all beings.
Amituofo!
Get
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Ken Rōshi,
Thank you for sharing your haiku.
My home office is on second floor of our townhome and there is a squirrel's nest in a tree I look out upon. Every now and then early in the morning I see one?pop out of the nest and run out to the end of the branch. I assume, since it is a mammal like
me, it just awoke and is running out on the branch to take a pee. "A squirrel peeps out." reminds me of that and warms my heart.
After the sangha meeting last Sunday, my heart was in a dark hole, somewhere between melancholy and a down right foul mood. I realized it was fear and I was (and am) haunted by the unanswerable question for me of what would it take for me to feel comfortable
to go back to the temple again and sit in the zendo with others?
Seeing one of the containers that I had planted with early spring vegetables filled with small sprouts warmed my heart, like reading about the squirrel and thinking about the one I occasionally see.
I also wanted to let you know I very much miss samu and am looking forward to practicing that again. I think about it while cleaning the house or preparing and cleaning up after a meal, especially when I'm doing the dishes.
This practice is a work in progress for me.
How are you doing in this coronavirus cloistering??
Gassho,
Martin
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Ken Rōshi,
Thank you for sharing your haiku.
My home office is on second floor of our townhome and there is a squirrel's nest in a tree I look out upon. Every now and then early in the morning I see one?pop out of the nest and run out to the end of the branch. I assume, since it is a mammal like me, it just awoke and is running out on the branch to take a pee. "A squirrel peeps out." reminds me of that and warms my heart.
After the sangha meeting last Sunday, my heart was in a dark hole, somewhere between melancholy and a down right foul mood. I realized it was fear and I was (and am) haunted by the unanswerable question for me of what would it take for me to feel comfortable to go back to the temple again and sit in the zendo with others?
Seeing one of the containers that I had planted with early spring vegetables filled with small sprouts warmed my heart, like reading about the squirrel and thinking about the one I occasionally see.
I also wanted to let you know I very much miss samu and am looking forward to practicing that again. I think about it while cleaning the house or preparing and cleaning up after a meal, especially when I'm doing the dishes. This practice is a work in progress for me.
How are you doing in this coronavirus cloistering??
Gassho,
Martin
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Tree leafs out in sun
A deep dark hole: Mystery!
A squirrel peeps out.
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Sometimes acts of kindness involve all of the above.? Way to go, Fred and Brett!
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Love this, Brett ? ? ?Thank you AND Fred too!!
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On Apr 27, 2020, at 10:58 PM, Brett James <brettjames836@...> wrote:
? Sangha is more than sitting next to one another in the Zendo. Sometimes it’s sweating and cursing and laughing trying to get a beast of a tree stump out of my front yard. A huge shout out to my Dharma brother Fred Becker for giving up some of his weekend and for lending a hand. And a truck.?
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Zen Center of Denver Office
Fred Becker
Martin Johnson
Joel Tagert