[Discussion-AZC] Writing? art? photography? Just This needs your contributions

[Sarah Webb]

AZC members and friends--Here's the latest from Just This.  We
need your input.  (Sorry if you got a request earlier.  We aren't
sure it reached much of the listserv.)  Please keep the notice,
share with like-minded friends, post, etc.   
Sarah Webb    Justin Follin

Just This, a literary journal sponsored by the Austin Zen Center, is currently accepting literature and art submissions for its Spring edition.

While Just This is grounded in Zen Buddhism, it offers artists a wider perspective.  We believe that true expression transcends tradition and dogma.  Understanding that life practice can take many forms  (meditation, inquiry, prayer, service, devotion, making things) we hope to explore and celebrate this plurality, while in the process discovering common ground.  To that end, we would like to hear, not “what you believe”, but how you take your practice into your everyday life.

With the current issue, we will address the topic of Social Action and explore ways in which spirituality can inspire—or perhaps impede--activism in the world.  It is often said that there are as many spiritual paths as there are people.  How do these personal explorations connect us to live well on our planet?  

Also, as many theological, philosophical, and artistic traditions suggest, our practices encourage us to see the reality that all is interconnected and that our struggle to separate causes suffering.  Does your experience confirm this view?  How do we catalyze positive change if we are living in a perfect universe that might only seem imperfect to our finite consciousness?  Can there be positive action unhampered by dogma?  How do we act in ways that reflect connection and don’t reinforce feelings of rightness, superiority, or separation?
 
All forms of literature are encouraged, including short stories, essays, poetry, and book reviews.  Maximum word count is 3500; most pieces will be shorter.  Please use writing that is grounded in the concrete details of life and avoid philosophical treatise.  Tell us a story!  We also welcome black-and-white artwork and photography.  (We recommend that the original compositions be black and white and not photocopies of color works.)  

The deadline for this issue is April 21, but submissions may be accepted later as needed.  

For further information about Just This, please contact Justin Follin at jfollin at gmail.com or Sarah Webb at bluebirdsw at earthlink.net. 
Submit pieces by e mail to either editor with a copy to the other editor.  Pieces may also be dropped by or mailed to
Just This, Austin Zen Center, 3014 Washington Square, Austin, TX 78705