Date/Time
Date(s) - 06/12/2023 - 10/12/2023
5:00 pm
Location
Eden Rise
A Soto Zen Buddhist Meditation Retreat
Come and join us in sitting facing a wall (and yourself!) for a few days.
Through the embodying of connection in the still, still, state of zazen (seated meditation), the true nature of ourselves naturally permeates body and mind. With zazen, we are being taught by everything and in turn sharing ourselves unknowingly, bringing benefit to our world in many individual ways.
This will be a silent retreat centred on zazen. The communal meals will have a ceremonial form and there will be daily short services which include chanting and bowing. You don’t have to identify as a Buddhist to participate in any of this though, all you will really need is a willingness to join in and an openness to what inquiry brings within these ancient forms of practice.
A minimum requirement for attendance is that you have had some guidance from a teacher in zazen practice. Newcomers are welcome if they have had some form of introductory instruction. An ongoing practice of regular sitting will only be of benefit for your attending, even if you are only recently getting started.
Previous experience of having undergone a residential meditation retreat of some kind will be helpful to you, but it is not essential or required.
The days events will be scheduled, sitting and walking meditation, ceremonies and meals will interspersed with free time to choose what to do with yourself. Individual adaptions in the schedule due to age and health conditions will be allowed for.
We will be cooking all our own meals. Cooking and washing dishes will be our only working meditation, voluntarily shared among the group. The food will be lacto-vegetarian. Alternatives to diary will be available and we will try to accomodate any personal dietary needs where reasonable and possible.
Places will be limited to only 11 people. A waiting list is available if we are over subscribed. The booking deadline is 6th November.
Please contact me, Rev. Willard, if you would like to book, I will reserve your place and send you a registration form nearer the time. I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Depending on time and other practical matters, it may be possible for me to introduce you to Soto Zen practice before this retreat.
There is no fee for attending, Dragon Bell Temple (a registered charity) is paying the costs of hiring Eden Rise and buying food. Voluntary donations to support Dragon Bell are much appreciated. There will be more information and the ability to donate at the end of the retreat.