Loveland Zen

04/05/2026

i thank You God for most this amazing
day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday; this is the birth day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing breathing any–lifted from the no
of all nothing–human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

e.e. cummings
1894-1962

03/15/2026

Join us at Grailville for a special Holy Week event “Illuminating Holy Week through Imagery” presented by artist Emil Robinson.

Emil will illuminate Holy Week through the lens of visual art. In particular the emotional language of paintings both old and new, and their ability to speak to our uncertain times. The presentation will include time for questions, comments, and short discussion.

Held on Sunday, March 29 from 3–4 PM in the Oratory at Grailville. Presented by Women of Grailville and The Grail, and free and open to the public.

Questions, contact Bonnie at [email protected] or 513 600-6459.

02/13/2026

I took these two pictures on an evening walk in Perumalmalai, India, where I am currently staying at Kanzeon Zendo. I was contemplating this short quote from David Burns' Ten Days to Self-Esteem:
"Many perfectionists believe that they must earn love and approval by being outstanding. An alternative philosophy would be that our vulnerabilities and flaws—and not our successes and strengths—ultimately make us lovable and human. People can be admired or resented—but never loved—for their successes and achievements."
I think we all want to love and be loved, but it is easy to miss the mark and end up being merely admired or hated.
-olaf

01/26/2026

Time and again
you too
must long for
your old nest
deep in the mountain
~Ryōkan

Snowed in these past days in Loveland, I found this poem by the Zen poet Ryōkan and experience it as an invitation.

Early Bird rate is available until January 31. Join our community for meditation retreats with Fr. Ama Samy, September 4-7 and September 7-11, 2026, at Loretto Retreat Center in KY.

For more details, see https://lovelandzen.org/retreats

With gratitude to our Sangha member Meath Conlon in Australia for the beautiful artwork. -Nicky

08/28/2025

On the road to Loretto Retreat Center with a van full of Zen mats and cushions for our annual meditation retreat!

08/16/2025

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNav_Qrsegm/?igsh=MTZoMWcweG8xODA2Ng==

07/21/2025

Discovered a short article by a busy woman. Makes me smile in recognition. “You got me Zen proverb! You got me!”

https://in-housestaff.org/dont-time-meditate-hour-761

Grailville, Tonight at 7:30pm

Prior to starting medical school, I meditated for an hour every morning. There is a Zen proverb that goes something like this: “If you don’t have time to meditate for an hour everyday, you should meditate for two hours.”

05/28/2025

🎼 Hear Alexis Marsh live at our Women Working in Music event this Saturday!

A three-time BMI award-winning composer, Alexis is known for scoring Animal Kingdom, The Unknown Country, and Jazzy (which just premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival). Her music has been featured in 30+ films, series, and campaigns—including Jessica Jones, Lucifer, and Virgin River.

Alexis will share selections from her new Midwest album and perform an original flute concerto.

Based in Cincinnati and rooted in jazz, Alexis brings a powerful voice to the world of music production, composition, and performance.

04/23/2025

Our visit to Kamakura and San’un Zendo