Mountains are high and wide. The movement of clouds and the inconceivable power of soaring in the wind comes freely from the mountains. —Dogen Zenji, Mountains and Waters Sutra
During this silent, Zen-style retreat we will practice with the mountains and waters, opening to our own mountain-stability and the flowing nature of all experience.
Meditation provides the opportunity for intimacy with self and world, recognizing the interconnectedness of this very life. Healing and transformation happen as we abide in the mystery of who we truly are.
This will be a silent meditation retreat. After an initial meal, set-up and orientation we will enter noble silence. Supporting each other in connecting with our own inner silence, stability and confidence. We will follow a rigorous daily schedule which includes roughly seven hours of seated meditation, interspersed with periods of walking meditation, chanting practice, dharma talks, opportunities to check-in with one of the practice leaders, outdoor meditation sessions, mindful eating practice during meals, a late morning care-taking practice and breaks where participants have the opportunity to rest, exercise and explore the beautiful grounds and nature.
In the spirit of a silent meditation retreat, we ask that participants don’t read, write or use cell phones during the retreat.
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 can be 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 are looking for volunteers to help with set-up, clean-up and possibly meal prep.
Lodging options include camping, dorms and a few private rooms, please indicate your preference on the registration form.
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.
Approximate Schedule (Thurs - Sat)
5:20A – Wake-up
6A – Early Morning Zazen
7:20A – Chanting Service
8A – Breakfast
9:15A — Chore Period (Samu)
11A — Late Morning Zazen
12:20P — Exercise Period
1:30P – Lunch
3P – Dharma Talk
4P – Zazen / Practice Check-ins
5:30P – Simple Supper
7P – Zazen / Practice Check-ins
8:50P – Formal Tea / Closing Chant
9:40P — Yaza (optional late night zazen) / Lights Out
Sunday
6:20A — Wake-up
7A — Zazen
8:30A — Closing Circle
9:30A — Chore Period
10:15A — Brunch
11:30A — Clean-up and Goodbyes
*All zazen periods will include periods of walking meditation