Cascadia Poetics Lab Launches British Columbia Event Series for 'Cascadian Zen Vol. I' Anthology

The Cascadia Poetics Lab, a Seattle-based poetry nonprofit, is launching a significant event series across British Columbia to promote their recently published anthology 'Cascadian Zen Vol. I'. These late August 2024 events will showcase the unique intersection of Zen practice and the Cascadia bioregion through poetry readings and discussions, representing an important cultural initiative for regional identity and environmental awareness.

The anthology, published by Watershed Press, features contributions from distinguished artists and authors throughout the Cascadia bioregion. It explores the ecosystem of Cascadia while delving into conversations surrounding Zen practice and the philosophical questions emerging from these intersections. This publication directly supports the Cascadia Poetics Lab's mission to empower individuals to practice poetry while deepening connections to place, self, and the present moment.

The event series begins on August 22 at the Mountain Rain Zen Community in Vancouver, featuring the three editors of 'Cascadian Zen Vol. I': Paul Nelson, Adelia MacWilliam, and Jason Wirth, alongside Canadian poet Daphne Marlatt. Nelson founded the 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 continues with a full weekend of programming at the Abbey Studio in Cumberland on August 24-25, featuring Indigenous elder Wedlidi Speck and poet-philosopher Jan Zwicky alongside the anthology editors. The inclusion of Indigenous perspectives demonstrates the anthology's commitment to diverse viewpoints on the Cascadia bioregion. The final event occurs at the Community Hall on Quadra Island on August 26, showcasing Zwicky and poet-typographer Robert Bringhurst with the anthology editors.

These events hold substantial importance for regional cultural development. They provide a platform for exploring Cascadia's unique cultural and ecological identity through poetry, potentially fostering deeper environmental understanding among residents and visitors. The gatherings bring together diverse voices, including Indigenous perspectives, contributing to more inclusive dialogues about regional identity and future directions.

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 through free, accessible events ensures broad participation in conversations about regional identity, poetry, and environmental consciousness. Additional event information is available through https://cascadiapoeticslab.org/events-page/.