Seattle-based poetry nonprofit Cascadia Poetics Lab is organizing a series of events across British Columbia to promote their poetry anthology, Cascadian Zen Vol. I, published by Watershed Press. The anthology features work from distinguished artists and authors throughout the Cascadia bioregion, exploring the ecosystem of Cascadia and conversations surrounding Zen practice.
The first event will be held at the Mountain Rain Zen Community in Vancouver, B.C., on August 22 from 7-9 P.M. PDT. This event will feature the three editors of Cascadian Zen Vol. I, Paul Nelson, Adelia MacWilliam, and Jason Wirth, along with Canadian poet Daphne Marlatt. A subsequent event will be held at the Abbey Studio in Cumberland, B.C., on August 24-25. This weekend event will include talks and readings related to Cascadian Zen, featuring Indigenous elder Wedlidi Speck and poet/philosopher Jan Zwicky alongside the editors. The final event will take place at the Community Hall on Quadra Island, B.C., on August 26 from 7-9 P.M. PDT, and will feature Jan Zwicky and poet/typographer Robert Bringhurst along with the editors. All events are free and open to the public.
Paul Nelson, a published poet, interviewer, and founder of Cascadia Poetics Lab, along with Adelia MacWilliam, a published poet and Founding Editor of Watershed Press, and Dr. Jason Wirth, a professor of Philosophy at Seattle University and a published author, are the driving forces behind the anthology. These events represent an opportunity for attendees to engage deeply with the themes of the anthology and the mission of Cascadia Poetics Lab: to empower people to practice poetry and deepen their connections to place, self, and the present moment.
The significance of these events extends beyond the literary community. They serve as a platform for fostering a deeper understanding of the Cascadia bioregion, a region that spans from Northern California to British Columbia. By focusing on Zen practices and ecological themes, the anthology and its associated events offer a unique blend of spiritual and environmental awareness. This approach not only enriches the cultural fabric of the region but also highlights the importance of mindfulness and ecological stewardship in today's world.
For more information on these events, visit cascadiapoeticslab.org/events-page/.
