Mini Movie Festival

The Yatra Trilogy was shown at CNC on April 1. A big thank you to Jim at Books and Company for printing the tickets for free, and selling tickets in the store. Another huge thank you to Dolores Buksa who volunteered as our projectionist, working overtime while doing homework. Many thanks to Edward, Trudi and Mike who volunteered to sell tickets, snacks and DVD's on the night. The movie producers donated 3 DVD's, and these are available for sale. We also own the copies used on the night, and these will go in our lending library for home use only. Our mini-festival was fun, we connected with new people and we learned something, so the effort was worth while.

Zen Retreats and Workshops

The January 28 Introductory Zen workshop went well, with George and Robbe joining us on Tuesday night, and Christine, Susan, Kathleen and Peter joining in the Saturday afternoon workshop. All introductory students made a real effort to sit well. Welcome and well done everyone.

Monthly half day Zazen-Kai took place January 29, February 26 and March 26. The next monthly 1/2 day Zazen-Kai are scheduled for April 30, May 28, June 25, July 23, August 27, and Sept 24.

The two day semi annual Zazen-kai with Eshin on April 7, 8 and 9 included several new people: John, Lindsay, Kevin, Murray and Dawn in the introductory Friday night session. Trudi, Vikki, Edward, Larry and Judith sat during the retreat. This was a great opportunity to study with Eshin in a small group that sat strong and steady. Congratulations to Vikki and Trudi for their first intensive Zen practice. Before we went out for dinner with Eshin he took some photos that can be seen in the Zen Center of Vancouver Newsletter and Photo Gallery.

The next two day intensives with Eshin will take place in October 2006 (organized by Edward) and April 2007 (organized by Larry).

The Zen group welcomes Beata to Prince George. After commuting to zazen-kai from Quesnel on and off for several years, she is now moving to town and will able to participate more fully with the Prince George Zen Group.

Second weekly Zazen period starting. John Neumann and Judith Johnson hope to start a second regular weekly zazen period at the Spruce Capital Building, for people who do not have time on Tuesday evenings. This might be Thursday evenings, or a weekday morning from 6-7:30. Check the web site for times and dates to be announced soon. Contact Judith if you are interested in attending and can make one of those times.

Web site

Our upgraded web site was launched a few days early at http://www.bmsnbc.com. Web site traffic has more than tripled since this time last year, with over 10,000 hits in March. Our webmaster, Tawnya, says we only count a "hit" when someone actually visits our web page. It looks good, and the directors will be glad to know their contact addresses are now harder to spam. Thanks Tawnya, and good luck with your new web design business, Walker Webworks! Everyone else please send book reviews, articles, newsletter entries, quotes etc. obviously they are of interest to others.

Pot Luck

About twenty people dropped by to the potluck on Jan 29. Visitors included our old friend and supporter Rev. Peter Zimmer from St. Michael and all Angels church, Sarah Dowling from Tilopa temple, and some Ba'Hai friends as well as Sangha members with friends and family. We are grateful for all the support, good wishes, healthy food and good company.

Vipassana Retreat

by John DeGrace

The vipassana sitting group (Monday evenings) held a weekend retreat on the campus of the University of Northern British Columbia from February 10-12, taught by Joanne Broatch, a well-established and recognized dharma teacher from Vancouver. The weekend began with a public talk on metta (lovingkindness) on the Friday evening attended by about 50 on campus, and twenty-three remained for the weekend silent vipassana retreat. A weekend retreat is planned for February 2007, and discussions are underway that it is hoped will lead to a fall 2006 retreat with Dr. Adrianne Ross as well.

Annual General Meeting

This meeting will take place in the Spruce Capital Building on Tuesday May16th 2006 at 9 p.m.. All members who have paid their dues are eligible to vote, and others are welcome to attend. Attendance at the Zen practice before the meeting from 7-9 is encouraged. The Agenda is:

1) Appointment of a secretary for the meeting

2) Treasurers report 2005/2006: John DeGrace

3) President's report: Edward Dobrowolski

4) Change Your Mind Day 2006: Judith Johnson

5) Election of Officers for 2006/2007

6) General discussion of society involvement in activities and obtaining approval for spending.

7) Zen and Vipassana plans for the next year

8) Website report

9) Other Business