Spring Practice Period: Awakening with the Earth

Spring at Great Vow Zen Monastery is beautiful. The fruit tree blossoms open towards the heavens, the forest is abuzz with new life as birds, insects  and tree frogs are wake up from their winter slumber.  Early spring flowers emerge in  abundant color, offering fresh perspectives and encouragements.

With the natural world springing to life with such exubrance and force, residency at the monastery inclines towards the out of doors. We dedicate more of our daily practice to the care and maintenance of our garden and grounds. This includes maintaining our trails and caring for native trees in our forest to planting veggies in our garden.

During this practice period we will deepen our  Zazen practice, continuing the rhythm of sitting before dawn – present for the awakening of day and sitting in the evening – quietly present with the disappearance of the days light.

This is a time to dive into community life and explore the Monastic container as it springs to life with the changing seasons. Let the energy of spring and the natural world transform you and enliven your practice.

Please plan on arriving on the first day of this practice period, April 7th.