Zen Hike
Providence Canyon
Saturday December 10, 2005

The Atlanta Soto Zen Center offers a one-day hike around and through the valleys and rim land of the amazing Providence Canyon, Georgia's "Little Grand Canyon." The rare Plumleaf Azalea and other wildflowers, as well as the pink, orange, red and purple hues of the soft canyon soil, make this unique locale a beautiful natural setting for exploration and for zazen. The massive gullies - up to 150 feet deep - were caused by erosion due to poor farming practices in the 1800s.

In contrast to previous hikes, the canyons will allow each participant to explore at their own pace and in a direction of their own choosing. “The way of others is not always the way. Following is dangerous.” Therefore, this is an excellent hike for all, regardless of hiking experience or physical fitness, a good opportunity for the sedentary as well as an exciting challenge for the athletic.

Transportation: We will be carpooling from the Atlanta Soto Zen center – please let us know if you can provide a vehicle for carpooling.

What to bring: Lunch, water and hiking supplies will be the responsibility of each participant. Please bring a daypack with your own food and water. As the weather may turn chilly and wet, please dress in layers and bring extra fleece or other warm clothes (it’s better to have it and not need it than the other way aound!). Other common items include good comfortable hiking shoes, long pants (jeans), a rain jacket, hat & insect repellent. Your daypack can double as a zafu.

Schedule: Saturday, 12/10:

Depart ASZC: 9 a.m.
Arrive at Trailhead: 11.00 a.m.
Depart from Trailhead: ~3.00 p.m.
Return to ASZC: ~ 5.00 p.m.

Meals: Please pack your own lunch and at least one liter of water. Trail mix, granola bars and chocolate make good trail snacks.

Registration: If you are interested in joining us, please send an email to shokai.atl@gmail.com. Please also indicate whether you are willing to volunteer to drive, and if so, how many passengers you can accommodate.

Departure Location:
Atlanta Soto Zen Center
1167-C/D Zonolite Place
Atlanta GA 30306

Questions?: Send email to shokai.atl@gmail.com.

"It is futile effort to linger in thought over the action of a lighting bolt: when the sound of thunder fills the sky, you will hardly have time to cover your ears... Some people lower their heads and linger in thought, trying to figure it out with intellect. They hardly realize that they are seeing ghosts without number in front of their skulls." --from The Blue Cliff Record