Is There Interest In A Weekend Retreat?

[Jakuden]

Hi all,

We were wondering whether there would be interest in a weekend mini-sesshin sometime over the next few weeks. We were thinking mostly sitting with a minimum of ceremony, but could include other things (samu, Oryoki etc) if anyone would like. Please comment if you would participate and if so, what elements would be most helpful :-) Thanks!

Gassho,
Jakuden
SatToday

[Doshin]

Let me check my travel schedule.....looks like I am in stay at home mode so yes I can participate.

Thank you Sangha for the opportunity.

Doshin
St

PS..I just remembered you would like ideas. I have no preferences. However several of the Sangha members have started threads from art, to haiku to other Buddhist activities. Maybe an opportunity for short sharing of those practices would be of interest. I know I do not participate in those areas because I “assume” I have no skills to share...but maybe we could learn that there is more to it than just a skill set.

[Sekishi]

I'd love to do at least a one-day sesshin (I'd like to do more, but I don't know if its in the cards for me in April).

Gassho,
Sekishi
#sat

[Onka]

I think this is a fantastic idea.
I believe that small reminders like Jundo's almost daily two minute transmissions are a helpful way to stay on the Path during this crisis.
So a mixture of reaffirming the simple wisdom of our Practice, some reminders to look past our own noses, some sitting with Sangha comrades and maybe even a small discussion of a poem such as the brilliant one we looked at in our Rohatsu weekend would be great.
In all honesty at the moment I will probably just be dropping in and out but most definitely see more than a little value in this idea.
Gassho
Onka Anna

Edited to add that I actually think that the poem we looked at in our Rohatsu retreat and the talks given by our Priests and Unsui was pretty great so could we just dig up and cut and paste them into any mini retreat plans in the interest of saving a tinsy bit of work?

[Tai Do]

I support the idea. Perhaps I can't be there all weekend, as I have to take care of my sick dog and some minor work related activities, but even these can be done in a samu spirit. Count me in.
Gassho,
Mateus
Sat/LAH

[Meitou]

Yes, I think this is great and I'm sure there will be lots of people interested. Under any other circumstances I really would have loved this opportunity, but right now it's impossible for me. That might sound funny seeing as I'm locked down tight until beginning May, but I'm actually having trouble finding time to do all that I usually do - I think because I'm ensuring that Stef leaves the house as little as possible, it's a full time job just keeping things going here. I also feel that I want to spend as much time as possible with him and with the immediacy of our life together, this crisis has really made me appreciate the knife edge on which we live or die.
So although it's not for me right now, I think it's a lovely idea and hope that as many as possibly can take part.
Gratitude.
Gassho
Meitou
sattodaylah

[Tairin]

I like the idea of doing this. Sounds like a great idea. How and when this is done will determine the extent to which I can participate.


Tairin
Sat today

[Bokugan]

I have never participated in sesshin. I was actually all set to attend my first day-long sesshin at the Cincinnati Zen Center on April 4th, but the quarantine situation has delayed that indeterminately.

I would most likely be able to do only one day, a Saturday or Sunday, but probably not an entire weekend. If it is okay to just attend just part, I would be very interested.

Thank you!

Gassho,

Ryan
Sat Today

[Shoki]

This sounds interesting and I would most likely participate in at least part of it. Looking back at Rohatsu in December, the highlight for me was the reading and discussion of Shitou's Song of the Grass Roof Hut. That was a lightning bolt that sort of brought it all together. So anything like that would be...yeah...good.

Gassho
ST-lah
James

[Heitou]

Count me in

[Hokin]

I definitely suport the idea....only I don't know how much I could participate for I am always absorbed with my two kids ( one is a baby...)...but I would love to join on and off with you all, for sure!!!

Gassho.
Arya.
Sat Today.

[Nenka]

Yes.

Gassho

Nenka
ST

[Yokai]

I would love to, balanced with family/work(?)...steering a middle way
[simple format maybe if lockdown as can't order anything online except an ebook!]

Gassho, C stlah

[Natahl]

I would be very interested. As a full time, solo mother of a toddler, I’m not sure how possible it is for me though [emoji848]

Gassho,
Natahl
STLaH


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[Jundo]

I would be very interested. As a full time, solo mother of a toddler, I’m not sure how possible it is for me though [emoji848]

Gassho,
Natahl
STLaH


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When we have our Treeleaf retreats, child care and family or work responsibilities are all Samu (Work Practice) = Zazen = Retreat = No Problem.

It is not that one begins where the other ends.

When bowing, just bow. When sitting, just sit. When changing a diaper, just change. When cookinig dinner, just cook. When getting er done, just get er done. Like that.

Gassho, J

STLah