DIY Zazenkai?

[Enjaku]

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Hi everyone,

This was my friend and I, enjoying a beer at the end of our full-day sesshin earlier this week. We did a combination of zazen, chanting, kinhin, samu, online talks (Jundo and Thich Nhat Hahn) and finished with a metta verse. There was 4.5 hours of zazen in total, spread over 9 hours (enough to leave us with sore knees!)

I thought it might be nice to start a thread for people to share good (and bad) experiences of DIY zazenkais...

My favourite part was the samu - washed my car for the first time in years! It was also helpful to be in a quiet space with no interruptions and enough room to do kinhin without bumping into one another...

It would be nice to hear about what others have done and how they've found planning and undertaking a longer period of practice. Has anyone else invited non-Buddhists to take part? My friend is not Buddhist but she is interested in zazen, Buddhism etc and found it rewarding and accessible.

Gassho,
Enjaku
Sat LAH

[Jundo]

That is wonderful, and what a great way to Sit for friends and loved ones.

(and I assume the beer came AFTER the Zazenkai!?)

Gassho, J

SatTodayLAH

[Doshin]

Enjaku,

A few years ago I hosted a monthly weekend Zazenkai for a Sangha based a few hours from my home. Folks would arrive Friday night. For Samu the teacher would have them wash windows, sweep my patios/floors, oil the squeaky door, and so on. I was thinking we should do this every week to reducde my chores

Also at one of those weekends a non-budhist attended but did not stay long. She made it through a few sits, a samu and then left. She had asked one of the other attendees did we believe in a god, heaven and hell. His answer did not "sit" well with her.

Lastly, a couple attended from much further away. One of the practices we did is that I would take folks for a long silent walk in the country (I live in the moutains). I would lead them where wildlife would most likely be encountered. Before we proceeded I would remind them of silence and to watch for rattlesnakes (I have a few that share my place with me...they are most welcom). The young lady said she had never seen a rattlesnake. After about a half hour of walking I (Mr Eagle Eye, always with an eye out for snakes) apparently stepped over a western diamond back rattlesnake It began to rattle and the silence was broken by the young lady behind me. It was not so much fear as excitement. We shared a very great moment!

Gassho
Doshin
st/LAH

[Enjaku]

That is wonderful, and what a great way to Sit for friends and loved ones.

(and I assume the beer came AFTER the Zazenkai!?)

Haha - yes the beer was our reward for a diligent day of practice!


Enjaku,
Sat LAH

[Meishin]

Hi,

Yes last year I hosted a weekend retreat that included, among others, two Zen Buddhists, one Presbyterian minister, and one Episcopal seminary president. Worked out well.

Gassho
Meishin
sat today

[Enjaku]

One of the practices we did is that I would take folks for a long silent walk in the country (I live in the moutains). I would lead them where wildlife would most likely be encountered.

This is such a great idea... I'll definitely include some silent walking next time. A bit of exercise might help with the knees as well... not many snakes in the UK!

Gassho,
Enjaku
Sat LAH

[Mp]

Wonderful Enjaku ... just being back from retreat with Jundo and other Sangha member's, I know what you mean by the value of coming together. Whether sitting, walking, cleaning, helping others, being in nature ... it is and was an amazing experience. =)

Gassho
Shingen

SatToday/LAH

[Amelia]

Yes, the retreat was a very rewarding experience. It's good to run yourself a little ragged on practice for a few days!

Gassho, sat today, lah

[Jinyo]

This is a lovely idea Enjaku, I think it might encourage me to share my garden with others as it has some tranquil spots for meditation.

Gassho,

Jinyo

ST