The Zen of 'not' awaiting the moderator's approval

Dear SA Zen

For last couple of months, I've been posting email about my experiences with Homeless Meditation Practitioners(HMP) to the SA Zen Centers Sangha email list. I have always felt a little bit werid about thisl, since, HMP isn't offically affiliated with the SA Zen Center or 'under their umbella.'

I was always a little worried that HMP would be mistaken for an SA Zen Center Outreach. Or for someone to think that I spoke for, represented, or were an example of what the SA Zen Center was 'into.'

To clear up any future confusion, I am stopping all correspondence to the Sangha-at-Large. If you would like to continue to receive updates and read little stories about our little group, Homeless Meditation Practitioners(HMP)....please let me know via email or phone call. And I will add you to our email list.

SA Zen Center and each Sangha member individually...as help us in incredible ways. SA Zen welcomed this idea, of bringing Meditation and the Dharma to the Homeless, with open arms. SA Zen allowed me to use their Center for a 'brain-storming' discussion with potential volunteers. And....the only volunteers that have ever stepped in to help...were from the SA Zen Center. When most San Antonio Buddhist groups were avoiding my emails, Sa Zen allowed me to use their entire member list...for my rants!

SAMMinistries is months away from moving our operation to the $99 million dollar 'Haven for Hope' facility. We are all very excited about the move. We have been having day and night meetings with every nonprofit and service provider in Bexar County. It is going to operate like a huge military base. In one location, their will be SAMMinistries, American GI Forum, Haven for Hope Supportive Housing Units, Centro-Med: Medical Services, Christian Dental Clinic, I Care San Antonio: Vision clinic, San Antonio Prevent Blindness: Vision clinic, Center for Health Care Services: Mental health and substance abuse treatment clinic, and Child Protective Services...to only name a few.

This is a dramatic step away from the Christian Charity approach. We have been promised more freedom, openess, and more opprotunities for meditation classess...for the Homeless...and now other organizations are asking about meditation for their staff members...to alleviate stress and provent 'burn-out.'

So, I thank everyone at the San Antonio Zen Center for their kindness, generousity, love, and support. And hope that I receive tons of emails, asking to stay on the HMP list. But because we are not affiliated with SA Zen and what we are doing doesn't represent SA Zen...I will not post anything further on the Sangha email list.

Thank you so much,
Your for Success,

Jon Clark
830-484-7403
http://homelessmeditationpractitioners.blogspot.com/2009/10/saturday-oct-24-sit.html