Information and Application Process

INFINITE CIRCLE STUDY AND PRACTICE PROGRAM 2020 (2020 is fully booked)

Information and Application

Thank you for your interest in the Infinite Circle Study and Practice Program of Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community (BLMZC). ​Please read all the following information carefully and be in touch with us when you have more questions.

APPLICATION PROCESS

We ask that you apply to this program so that we can assess if this is the right fit for your practice and interests. Each application will be followed up with a conversation with Joshin. Please fill out the application form here.

PROGRAM COST

The total cost for the first year program is $1,296 ($108 per month), (see below for more information about payment and cancellation). This fee covers your tuition for the monthly online dialogue meetings, the monthly online small circle meetings, a periodic practice interview and the Curriculum and Source Handbook. It does not cover the four books that are required for study during the course of the year, the housing during the sesshin and the mala you have to raise for one of our Bearing Witness retreats.

For 2020, all participants are required to attend the Dialogues, scheduled every second Saturday of the month starting in January 2020 (except March 2020, 1st Saturday and April 2020, 3rd Saturday). The training is from 10am – 1pm Eastern Time in the United States.

In addition to the dialogue meetings, there will be monthly online small circle meetings scheduled by your Dharma Buddy in consultation with the small circle group.

DEPOSIT, PAYMENT, AND CANCELATION

We ask that when you are accepted to the program, you are ready to make a financial commitment.

If you need financial support to enter the training program, we suggest that you explore inviting your sangha or community to sponsor you.

If you have any questions about the time and financial commitments or if you need a payment plan to the Infinite Circle,  please contact the Infinite Circle Coordinator, infinite-circle@breadloafmountainzen.org.

Deposit

With the application we ask you to make a $108 deposit towards tuition. Please note: If you are not accepted, all of the deposit but $35 will be refunded to you. You may pay the deposit by check or by PayPal. If you pay via PayPal, please add 2.2% ($110 total) to cover the cost of processing.

Late Application Fee

If you are submitting your application after December 15 please enclose an additional $35 along with your deposit to cover the cost of expedited processing.

Payment Process

If at all possible, we ask that you to pay for the entire year’s tuition of $1,296 all at once by check or by PayPal (add 2.2% “PayPal” fee to tuition ($1,325)).

• About Payments: We have priced the program to cover our costs and to create some small revenue for the community service work of BLMZC. Unfortunately, we do not have the administrative bandwidth to track down payments. We ask you to help us keep the cost of this program low by paying according to your commitment, and to communicate with us well in advance if you run into a hardship.
• Generosity: You may offer financial support to the teacher and Dharma Buddies. This is completely voluntary but it is a very nice gesture. Dharma Buddies are offering their services for free in order to keep the cost down.
• Support someone else: We welcome contributions above tuition costs which will help to cover the costs of someone who cannot pay the full amount.
• You can pay online HERE, or send a check to: Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community, PO Box 818, Middlebury VT 05753

Upon acceptance to the Infinite Circle, 50% of the tuition ($1,296) is due. Your final payment should be received at least 30 days before the program starts. .

Cancelation

If you cancel your enrollment in the Infinite Circle 30 days or more prior to the start of the training program, you will be refunded 50% of the tuition payments you have made up to that date.

If you cancel your enrollment 30 days before the start of the program, you will forfeit the tuition payments you have made up to that date, since we will not be able to fill your slot on such a short timeline. 

Checklist for Infinite Circle Training Applicants

1. 1. Fill out application form completely. It will be send to us automatically
   2. All applications must include a $108 deposit. ​Please note: This $108 deposit is non-refundable and will be applied to your tuition if you are accepted. ​If you are not accepted to the training program, the deposit will be refunded less a $35 processing fee. ​Applications submitted after December 15 also need to include a $35 late fee, which is non-refundable.​ You may pay the deposit (and late fee if applicable) by check or PayPal (please add 2.2% processing fee).
   3. Once your application and deposit have been received, we will contact you to confirm receipt and inform you of further steps.

Please fill out the application form.