Zazenkai, Saturday January 14, facilitated by Eisho Sinclair

This Saturday retreat provides the opportunity to join the Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community in several periods of uninterrupted meditation in a full day of silence. We observe Noble Silence throughout the day, including meal and tea time. We engage wholeheartedly in alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, an hour of work practice, chanting service and a dharma reflection. Meditation instruction is available at the beginning of the day.

Zazenkai is an opportunity to become more familiar with Zen meditation and to drop deeply into practice. For those unfamiliar, a glimpse of sesshin (week-long intensive meditation retreat) practice is experienced.

Please wear loose clothing that is comfortable for sitting.

Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community is happy to offer this day of practice (in-person at BLMZC or online) at no charge, dana is always welcome . The schedule is below. Register here.

For attending in-person you need to be fully vaccinated and symptom free. We have 16 spots for attending zazenkai in-person. Note: In-person registration is now full. If you register for in-person attendance, you will automatically be registered for online attendance and placed on the in-person waiting list.

After attending a Zazenkai, participants may feel encouraged to attend a sesshin (see scheduled dates here.)

Zazenkai Schedule:

6:00 – 7:00am        Optional Zazen and walking meditation (optional meditation instruction)

7:00 – 7:40 am       Zazen

7:40 – 8:00 am        Chanting Service

8:00 – 8:30 am        Breakfast (silent)

8:30 – 9:00 am        Rest/Tea

9:00 – 10:00 am      Work Practice

10:00 – 10:40 am    Rest/Tea

10:40 – 12:40 pm    Zazen and walking meditation

12:40 – 1:00 pm      Chanting Service

1:00 – 1:30 pm        Lunch (silent)

1:30 – 2:30 pm        Rest

2:30 – 2:45 pm        Zazen

2:45 – 3:45 pm        Dharma Reflection

3:50 – 5:00 pm        Zazen and walking meditation

5:00 – 5:30 pm        Tea Break/Rest/Physical practice

5:30 – 6:30 pm        Zazen and Metta Chant, Four Vows and Depart