Weekend Meditation Retreat

  • Friday - November 10th - Sunday November 12th, 2023

REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED

Join us in studying the teaching in a weekend retreat of silence, sitting, and expressing the dharma. 

Begin together with setting our intention and preparing for silence and day-long focus with the opening Friday evening at 7. The retreat continues for a full day on Saturday (6 am to 9 pm) and a half day of sitting on Sunday, ending with noon service.  We will have oryoki meals in the zendo, and add a formal tea service in the afternoon, a form we use during sesshin.

This sitting will be dedicated to witness and peace. Dogen Zenji said, “When you see an object, learn to clarify it. Being scared of it and ay trying to avoid it is the teaching and practice of shravakas in the lesser Vehicle. If you give up the east and hide in the west, it is not that there is no object in the west. Even if you keep escaping, there are objects afar and objects nearby. This is not the way of emancipation. The farther away you push objects, the deeper you may be attached to them.’ Let us deeply consider these words during this weekend.

NB: We recommend that you have experience with informal half day sittings (zazenkai), one day sittings, or sesshin at AZC or elsewhere before signing up for this retreat. If you have any questions about whether the retreat is right for you, please contact the Guiding Teacher choro@austinzencenter.org.

  • Friday, Nov. 10: Orientation (7.00 pm) 
    • Instruction in oryoki, the Zen meal form, and retreat guidelines, with a short period of meditation*
  • Saturday, Nov. 11: (6 am – 9pm)
    • First period of zazen at 6am
    • Public may join dharma talk in person at 10:15am. 
    • Seats are assigned in the zendo, bring your own cushions if you like.
  • Sunday, Nov. 12:  (6am – noon)
    • Half day of sitting, oryoki breakfast, and will end with midday service and cleanup.
  • Dokusan/practice discussion will be offered
    • Sign up during the retreat itself.

 

Questions about schedule and practice activities may be directed to the Guiding Teacher choro@austinzencenter.org
Questions about fees and registration should go to our Admin, Maida Barbour admin@austinzencenter.org

*Two videos which present the oryoki meal form: Rev. Mako Voelkel is here; also recommended, Rev. Linda Ruth Cutts series of short videos, recorded at San Francisco Zen Center. We mostly follow these forms.

AZC is committed to making practice and the teachings available to all. Please contact Administrator Maida Barbour at 512-452-5777 or email  if event fees are a barrier to participation for you.