If you look deeply enough, you can find sunlight in each sheet of paper. The paper came from trees, the trees from sun, rain, and soil. The sun, rain and soil came from…the net goes on forever. The whole universe can fit into a single piece of paper. Everything’s like this, including the whole of space-time itself. Nothing is separate. No one’s alone
Everything is interdependent. When we open up to interbeing, we’re opening up to our true nature. It can’t be grasped and it can’t be lost. Our true nature is boundless compassion, and it’s no different from the Buddha’s. —Thich Nhat Hanh
During this silent meditation retreat we will explore the interdependence that connects us to everything.
This retreat will include about 8 daily hours of silent seated meditation, walking meditation, daily dharma talks, forest walking, mindful eating, a mindful temple care-taking period, and daily opportunities to meet with the teachers. During some of the meditation periods we will offer optional outdoor meditation sessions. We ask that everyone attend everything on the schedule.
Silent meditation retreats provide an opportunity to deepen our awareness and experience the truth of interconnection directly. The silence and support of meditation can give us the courage to live our lives more fully as we discover the spacious freedom and compassion of our original heart-mind.
They also can be challenging as they invite us to stay with our direct experience, including experiences that are uncomfortable.
In order to attend this multi-day retreat, prior meditation retreat experience is required. Please attend a daylong meditation retreat, zazenkai, or comparable event before signing up for this retreat. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Cost: $180 - $300 sliding scale ($50 deposit due at registration, nonrefundable; the remainder is due the week before the retreat). Scholarships are available, please contact amy.kisei@gmail.com to inquire.
Cost includes lodging and food. We will be sending out an email to all those who register inviting food donations such as cookies, nuts, tea bags and other community items.
Lodging options include camping, dorms and a few private rooms, please indicate your preference on the registration form.
Part time attendance is possible, please email kisei for more information.
Deposits and Full Payments can also be made via Check to Seth Josephson and Venmo to @MudLotusProject Seth Fossils
Retreat will begin on Wednesday night, arrival and set-up starts at 4P, dinner will be at 5:30P and we will open the retreat at 7P with some basic guidelines, followed by zazen (meditation) and an opening dharma talk. Retreat will end on Sunday after a community brunch. With clean-up, we hope that folks can start heading out around noon. Below is a sample schedule for the full days of the retreat.
Sample Schedule (Thurs - Sat)
5:20A – Wake-up
6A – Early Morning Zazen
7:50A – Chanting Service
8A – Breakfast
9:15A — Chore Period (Samu)
11:30A — Late Morning Zazen
1P – Lunch
3P – Zazen / Formal Tea
3:30P – Dharma Talk
4:30P – Zazen / Practice Check-ins
5:30P – Simple Supper
7P – Zazen / Practice Check-ins
9P – Closing Chant
9:30P — Yaza (optional late night zazen) / Lights Out
*All zazen periods will include periods of walking meditation