The Cascadia Poetics Lab, a Seattle-based poetry nonprofit, is hosting a series of events in British Columbia to promote their recently published anthology, 'Cascadian Zen Vol. I'. These late August 2024 events showcase the unique intersection of Zen practice and the Cascadia bioregion through poetry and discussions. The anthology, published by Watershed Press, features work from artists and authors throughout the Cascadia bioregion, exploring the regional ecosystem, Zen practice conversations, and related questions while aligning with the organization's mission to empower poetry practice and deepen connections to place, self, and the present moment.
The event series begins on August 22 at the Mountain Rain Zen Community in Vancouver from 7-9 P.M. PDT, featuring the three editors of 'Cascadian Zen Vol. I': Paul Nelson, Adelia MacWilliam, and Jason Wirth, alongside Canadian poet Daphne Marlatt. Nelson founded Cascadia Poetics Lab, while MacWilliam and Wirth serve as Founding Editors of Watershed Press, with Wirth also being a philosophy professor at Seattle University. The series then moves to the Abbey Studio in Cumberland for a full weekend of talks and readings on August 24-25, featuring Indigenous elder Wedlidi Speck and poet-philosopher Jan Zwicky alongside the anthology editors, highlighting the commitment to diverse perspectives on the Cascadia bioregion.
The final event occurs at the Community Hall on Quadra Island on August 26 from 7-9 P.M. PDT, showcasing Jan Zwicky and poet-typographer Robert Bringhurst with the anthology editors, offering engagement with varied poetic voices and Cascadian Zen perspectives. These events provide a platform for exploring Cascadia's cultural and ecological identity through poetry, potentially fostering deeper environmental understanding among residents and visitors. The inclusion of diverse voices, particularly Indigenous perspectives, contributes to more inclusive dialogue about regional identity and future.
The focus on Zen practice in relation to the Cascadian ecosystem offers innovative perspectives on environmental issues and personal connections to place. This intersection of spirituality, poetry, and ecology may inspire new approaches to sustainability and human-nature relationships. The Cascadia Poetics Lab's commitment to engaging communities across the bioregion is demonstrated through these free, publicly accessible events in multiple British Columbia locations, ensuring broad participation in conversations about regional identity, poetry, and environmental consciousness. Additional event information is available at https://cascadiapoeticslab.org/events-page/.
