For more information

... about Open Source retreats in California retreats@joansutherland.net

... about retreats in Colorado Springs
www.smszen.org

... about retreats in Santa Fe
www.mountaincloud.org

Zen Meditation Retreats

Meditation retreats are a time we deepen and refresh ourselves, alone and together, through intensive spiritual practice. A retreat includes sitting and walking meditation; moving meditation such as yoga; private meetings with the teacher; daily talks and a koan seminar; services and occasional seasonal, refuge, and community ceremonies. The leadership is made up of the teacher and a small group of mature practitioners; everyone does some work to sustain the retreat. Meals are vegetarian and are taken in the meditation hall using traditional bowl sets, or in a dining room buffet-style.

Though the forms of a meditation retreat are grounded in the traditions we inherited from East Asia, over the years we've evolved ways of practice that are more natural for many Americans. Our intention is to provide an atmosphere that is welcoming, supportive, and respectful. The morning, evening, and meal services are part of a liturgy created by Joan Sutherland, John Tarrant, and Rich Domingue, which combines original material with traditional chants set to western rhythms and melodies.

A meditation retreat is fairly demanding, both physically and psychologically, and it’s helpful to have some practice experience beforehand. The day begins at 5:00 am and ends around 9:00 pm, and most of it is silent. We encourage participation in every activity, though no activities are compulsory; attending the whole retreat is the best way to get the most out of it, but part-time participation is possible. We try to make sesshin available to everyone who wants to do it, including people with special physical needs.

Koan Retreats

Intense and lively explorations of the koan way. What's the connection between imagination and freedom? And what's love got to do with it? How can spiritual realization be a conspiracy of friends as well as an individual quest? Something startling and beautiful happens when people work with koans as a group; the juxtaposition of different wonderings and insights and stories begins to create a field richer and more extensive than any individual heart-mind could make. Realization as a conspiracy of friends.

Koan retreats include meditation, dharma talks about this way, and conversations in which we explore koans together. There are also long outdoor walks and free time for writing, drawing, etc. The schedule is less rigorous than in a meditation retreat, usually running from about 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; the retreats are non-residential, though sleeping quarters are provided for out-of-towners. Some experience with meditation will be helpful, but almost nothing that you think about koans.

Integrative Retreats

Integrative retreats combine the deep silence of meditation with an imaginative exploration of mythopoetics. The aim is a blending of spiritual practice and our daily lives, and of Asian and American wisdom traditions. They include a mix of meditation, storytelling, workshops, and time alone—of silence and lively conversation, work together and individual reflection. Participants are encouraged to bring journals, art supplies, and musical instruments to use during the sessions and free time.

Recent integrative retreats include "Beauty and Awakening", which looked at the relationship between the two through the story of Shakyamuni's life, and a women's retreat focused on the fairytale "The Handless Maiden".

Each integrative retreat is unique, and their schedules vary; they are less rigorous than zen meditation retreats, with a later rising time and more opportunity for individual work. Vegetarian meals are eaten western-style at tables. While meditation periods are silent, there is talking during other parts of an integrative retreat. The amount of your participation is up to you, though you're encouraged to attend as much as you can. No particular experience is needed, and all are welcome.

One-day Retreats

One-day retreats are one way we explore what it means to be companions on the way, and good times to try out The Open Source. They usually explore a particular theme, such as eros or mystical experiences in meditation, relationship in spiritual practice, or sympathetic joy. Most retreats run from 9:00 or 9:30 am to 4:00 or 4:30 pm and include lunch. The morning usually includes a dharma talk and the afternoons a koan seminar; work in the room is offered.

Clear Mind, Open Heart retreats are a daylong program for both those interested in learning about Zen and those who wish to deepen their meditation. The day includes an introduction to sitting and walking meditation, a taste of koan work, and time to move, ask questions, and enjoy the stillness. All are welcome; no experience is necessary.