Cascadia Poetics Lab Launches British Columbia Event Series 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' throughout late August 2024. These events showcase the unique intersection of Zen practice and the Cascadia bioregion through poetry and discussions, featuring the anthology published by Watershed Press that explores the ecosystem of Cascadia and conversations surrounding Zen practice. The publication aligns with the organization's mission to empower individuals to practice poetry 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, 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 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, highlighting the commitment to diverse perspectives on the Cascadia bioregion.

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 editors, offering engagement with varied poetic voices and perspectives on Cascadian Zen. These events provide a platform for exploring the cultural and ecological identity of the Cascadia bioregion through poetry, fostering deeper understanding of the local environment among residents and visitors. The inclusion of diverse voices, particularly Indigenous perspectives, contributes to a more inclusive dialogue about the region's identity and future, while the focus on Zen practice in relation to the ecosystem offers an innovative lens for viewing environmental issues and personal connections to place.

This intersection of spirituality, poetry, and ecology inspires new ways of thinking about sustainability and human relationships with nature, with the Cascadia Poetics Lab demonstrating commitment to engaging communities across the bioregion by making events free and open to the public. Information about these events can be found at https://cascadiapoeticslab.org/events-page/, ensuring wide audience participation in conversations about regional identity, poetry, and environmental consciousness through a celebration of regional poetry, ecology, and philosophy that engages with the rich cultural and natural heritage of the Cascadia bioregion.