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Don't Just Sit: Knit! Knitting as Spiritual Practice, GGF 8/11/13

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Reirin Gumbel
August 11, 2013, 9am - 4pm
with Reirin Gumbel  and Emila Heller

In the Green Gulch Farm Yurt

For good reason, knitting has become increasingly popular within the last three decades. As simple as pulling one loop through another, it can be intriguingly complicated and difficult. There is a strong meditative component in the repetitive movements which seem to perform themselves after a while.

A definition of practice is: repeated performance of an activity in order to acquire or perfect a skill. The bodhisattva works on perfecting the six virtues: generosity, discipline, patience, effort, concentration, and wisdom. Experienced knitters testify that these paramitas are diligently practiced when you work on a project. Knitting becomes an important part of their lives.
In this class, you will have the opportunity to learn from scratch or take up a new technique for making a hat. There will be quiet time to explore the calming quality of this craft and also occasion for exchanging impressions with fellow knitters. There will be ample time to also take a lovely walk in the gardens and farm after the class, and you might turn your stay at GGF into a weekend craft retreat by booking a room in our guest house.


Bring your own materials:
(3.5 oz (100g) bulky yarn (preferably wool or wool blend)/16” circular needle #10 or 10.5/1set of 5 double-pointed needles #10 (not absolutely necessary))

Fees: $75; $68 current SFZC members; $60 limited income. A delicious organic vegetarian lunch in the Green Gulch dining room is included.

Registration: Use the Ticket Table below. Or call our toll free number 888.743.9362 or our local number 415.475.9362

Emila Heller, is a long time resident of Zen Center and lives at Green Gulch where she works on the farm. She has been knitting since she was a teenager.

Related Bio(s):

Reirin Gumbel
Reirin Seisho Alheidis Gumbel has been a resident at SFZC since 2003, was ordained as a Soto Zen priest by Furyu Nancy Schroeder, and was head monk for the Spring practice period in 2012. Prior to her residency at Green Gulch she lived in Santa Cruz with her two daughters, where she owned a fiber arts business, The Golden Fleece. Reirin is excited to have the opportunity to bridge Zen practice and Fiber Arts education, which she feels are intimately connected.