2021 Spring Retreat Main Page, June 4-6

[Kaisui]

I am so glad this retreat is available for us to join in when we can. When I first saw this retreat was happening I thought I would have to miss it because I don't have the whole weekend free. I am grateful to be able to join in for some of it where I can.

I'm also grateful for this from Shoka It makes me feel warm and welcomed and much more comfortable. I will do my best to follow along, and try to drop my worry about 'mistakes'.

If you are concerned about joining because you won't know what to do... then this is the retreat for you! It is only on zoom, not broadcast to you-tube and not recorded. So come, stumble along with all of us and don't worry. If you are unsure what to do during a ceremony, let us know before we start and we'll let you know who is in the room and would be a good person to follow along with.

If you're never done oryoki and worry you will spill soup all over yourself, join us! You'll get to see me try to keep the cat our of the dishes while chanting. Also you might spot Terra the dog waiting patiently for her 3 bowls.

Worried about the 30 minute sits? Don't be, shorten them and take more kinhin or take a break and jump back in with us later.

Also join us for the tea breaks, where you can ask any questions and share about the retreat so far.

Lastly, join as you can. There is no need to try to do the whole retreat (in fact it would be discouraged since it's 28 hours long). Instead stop by as you can, going to sit for your normal daily sit, stop by and sit with the retreat. Have chores to do, join during samu and get them done with all of us.

Charity
sat

[Shoka]

I am so glad this retreat is available for us to join in when we can. When I first saw this retreat was happening I thought I would have to miss it because I don't have the whole weekend free. I am grateful to be able to join in for some of it where I can.

I'm also grateful for this from Shoka It makes me feel warm and welcomed and much more comfortable. I will do my best to follow along, and try to drop my worry about 'mistakes'.




Charity
sat

Charity,

Yes please stop by!

Don't worry we all make mistakes. If you come to a tea we can tell you some great Unsui blunders! I have a few.

Gassho,
Shoka
Sat

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[Tai Shi]

2021 Spring Retreat Main Page, June 4-6

I’m not sure I can do 4 hours, but I’m going to do 2 hours and I sit as a Zen Buddhist. I am a Soto Zen Buddhist.
Gassho
sat/ lah
Tai Shi


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[Sekishi]

Just a note to all - we will go ahead and record the first four hour section and post it. But the REST of the units will not be recorded.

It is too late for me to post the recording now, so I'll do it during the first kinhin if I can.

Gassho,
Sekishi

[Sekishi]

It is too late for me to post the recording now, so I'll do it during the first kinhin if I can.

I just wanted to let you know that there was a hiccup with the stream from Zoom to youtube for the opening / Zazenkai, so no one-way video yet. But it did record, and once it is transcoded and uploaded to youtube I'll post it.

But again, that just applies to the 4-hour Zazenkai / opening section. The rest will be Zoom only.

Deep bows to all,
Sekishi
#sat #lah

[Onkai]

Thank you, Sekishi, Kyonin and everyone for the four hour zazenkai. Thank you, Shoka, Sekishi, and the rest of the Unsui and priests, for putting together the the 24 hour retreat. I'll pop in and out tomorrow.

Gassho,
Onkai
Sat/lah

[Bokugan]

The four-hour zazenkai was lovely! (even though my sound wasn't working due to user error and I sat through the first kinhin! )

Wonderful talk Sekishi. In reference to where the discussion went following Kyonin's comments:

Learning to not turn away/shut things out when it comes to mental illness was an invaluable lesson for me. Similar concepts were already being taught to me outside of my spiritual practice thanks to counseling, but this concept is one of the core things that lined up in an uncanny way with Buddhism. Not only that but it was at just the right time in my life, a lovely coincidence that I am ever grateful for.

Gassho,

Ryan S
SatToday

[Doshin]

Nice talk Sekishi



Doshin
St

[Tai Shi]

2021 Spring Retreat Main Page, June 4-6

So I can quit my job to be there when someone else needs me. When I broke my silence during the 2 hr segment I had said I would sit Shikantaza, Zazenkai, it was for a friend who suffers like me. In the local treatment center I love a man as a brother who is trying to kick meth, a habitual drug he’s had for 20+ years. Tonight he called me one of two calls he is allowed daily, and the other was to his 12-years-old daughter. I have sponsored this man for 6 years. I told him to call me anytime day or night. We talked about our loved ones. I told him I will go to any or all meetings he will go to. I do this willingly to help another the way I was helped nearly 34.years ago. I drank and used for more than 20 years, and it took me 5 years of failure until I was beaten. Then all I had was words and for my friend today all I had was words. I vowed I would go to any length to help my friend just like so many helped me. Today all I have is this day. Today I used words to give a life preserver to a man who is drowning.
Gassho
sat/ lah
Tai Shi


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[Naiko]

Thank you to Treeleaf's dedicated priests for all their work bringing this retreat to us. Thank you all for your practice. I apologize for missing the after party. I must get up at 5am again tomorrow--to bed!
Gassho,
Naiko
st lah

[Tai Shi]

I must be here for my loving family. I’m 69, in poor health, but it’s my decision to be a member of the Zendo and practice Shikantaza as taught by this Zendo. No one, as Sikieshi told me 6 yrs ago, is any better than anyone else. I’m grateful to all of you for your friendship and practice.
Gassho
sat/ lah
Tai Shi


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[Tairin]

Thank you to our priests who organized this retreat and to all who participated. I was able to join in on a few of the units.

I liked this 24 hour format. Hopefully we do this again in the future.


Tairin
Sat today and lah

[Shonin Risa Bear]

Thank you, everyone!

gassho
d shonin sat and lah

[Heiso]

Thank you to all the priests and session leaders. I was only able to join a couple of sessions but I also liked the 24 hour format and hope to be able to join more in the future.

Gassho,

Heiso

StLah

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[Onkai]

Thank you for this opportunity to practice together.

Gassho,
Onkai
Sat