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

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 distinguished artists and authors throughout the Cascadia bioregion and explores the ecosystem of Cascadia while delving into conversations surrounding Zen practice.

The event series begins on August 22 at the Mountain Rain Zen Community in Vancouver, B.C., 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 then moves to the Abbey Studio in Cumberland, B.C., 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.

The final event occurs at the Community Hall on Quadra Island, B.C., on August 26, showcasing Jan Zwicky and poet/typographer Robert Bringhurst with the anthology's editors. These events provide a platform for exploring the unique cultural and ecological identity of the Cascadia bioregion through poetry, fostering deeper understanding and appreciation of the local environment. The inclusion of diverse voices, particularly Indigenous perspectives through elder Wedlidi Speck, contributes to a more inclusive dialogue about the region's identity and future.

The focus on Zen practice in relation to the Cascadian ecosystem offers an innovative lens for viewing environmental issues and personal connections to place. This intersection of spirituality, poetry, and ecology has potential to inspire new ways of thinking about sustainability and human relationships with nature. The Cascadia Poetics Lab's mission to empower individuals to practice poetry and deepen connections to place, self, and the present moment aligns with these events. By bringing these gatherings to various British Columbia locations and making them free to the public, the organization ensures wide participation in conversations about regional identity, poetry, and environmental consciousness. More information about these events can be found at https://cascadiapoeticslab.org/events-page/.