ZAZENKAI or “Day of Zen”
Sitting in retreat is vital to Zen practice—it is a rare opportunity to deepen your spiritual practice through extended silent meditation, walking, eating in silence.
Join the Joyful Mind Zen Community for its Sunday bimonthly Retreat Practice Period in the basement of the Rockville United Church in Twinbrook/Rockville, MD for Zen Meditation. You are welcome to stay for half of the retreat. Speak to the Registrar at Registration@joyfulmindzendo.org
What we do:
Sit in Chair or on a Cushion. Please register in advance: Registration Form.
There is no charge to attend, but any small donations are appreciated. Donations page (Pay Pal, Zelle, check) or here: https://www.joyfulmindzendo.org/practice-of-generosity. Suggested donation: $20-25 to help us pay for the rental space. You may also bring a snack for our tea break or volunteer in other ways. Donations to the the teacher are also appreciated; baskets will be out.
Chairs are available but you may wish to bring an extra support cushion to make a chair more comfortable. We will have floor cushions but you are free to bring your own cushion. Our meditation consists of 25-minute periods of sitting, interspersed with walking meditation, rest or tea breaks.
Schedule:
1:45 Please arrive early to help set up the Zendo and to find your seat. Bell rings at 2:00 pm for first sit. If you are late, please wait until 2:30 for the walking meditation and someone will let you in the Zendo
2:00-3:30: Zazen, Walking meditation (sometimes outdoors) and Welcome
3:30-4:00 Silent Tea/Snack Break
4:00-5:30: Zazen; Dharma Talk by teacher and dokusan or optional Teacher One-on-One
5:30-5:50 Stretch Practice (silent) and tea break
5:50-6:15 Zazen
6:15-7:00 Silent Meal (bring your own bag meal or group offerings/soup)
7:00-8:15 Regular Evening Zazen practice—including encouraging words, walking meditation, and Way of Council (sharing in community)
8:30 pm Clean Zendo and Depart
If you have any questions prior to registering, please reach out to registration@joyfulmindzendo.org.