City Refuge: Meditation Retreat

Amidst the whirlwind of daily life in a busy metropolis, we gather to drink from the deep well of silence and stillness.

Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple will be offering an extended opportunity for retreat practice together in the city.

This three-day non-residential retreat will include many of the elements you’ll find in sesshin. The schedule will be similar to our one-day zazenkai, but with oryoki meals and some supplemental practices. (If you have an oryoki set, please bring it. Otherwise, we have sets you can borrow.)

This retreat will be held in silence. Part time participation is allowed, but you must commit to attending at least either morning or afternoon sessions on Thursday and Friday and all day on Saturday. Please discuss your schedule with Kodo or Kosho.

Cost: Sliding scale based on your participation full or part-time and ability. No one is turned away for lack of funds.

Due to the increased rigor of this retreat, we require that you first participate in a Zazenkai at Heart of Wisdom or a comparable daylong intensive at another Dharma center before registering for this retreat. 

Thursday

7:30 a.m. Zazen

9:00 a.m. Service

9:30 a.m. Break

10:00 a.m. Work Circle (Work practice includes cleaning, cooking, or gardening.)

11:00 a.m. Zazen

12:00 p.m. Oryoki Lunch

1:30 p.m. Alternative meditative practice

2:30 p.m. Dharma Talk

3:15 p.m. Break

3:30 p.m. Zazen

5:00 p.m End

*Optional* People are welcome to stay for dinner and attend our regular Thursday evening 7 – 8:30 pm program.

Friday

Same as above with additional:

5:30 pm Oryoki Dinner

7 – 8:30 pm Zazen

Saturday

Same as Thursday, ending at 5 pm.