Upcoming Retreats  - ZAZENKAI AND SESSHIN

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM KU SANI have planned nine Zen retreats this year to give the sangha members an opportunity to attend short or long retreats. This should give everyone a chance to experience Zen more like it is practiced in Japan, Korea and China.I don’t imagine that most people will attend most of these Zazenkai and Sesshin this year. I know you have family and work commitments that have priority as they should.If you have tried Zen for some years and feel ready to adventure into attending longer retreats this year you have time to organize your time off work and personal commitments. You will have the opportunity this year to put aside the time for a, five day sesshin or a seven day sesshin. We are running two, a five day sesshin and one seven day sesshin.There are amply shorter retreats during the year for people who are still feeling their way into Zen. These Zazenkai or short retreats help us to develop our deep Zen practice. They help us develop the skills and confidence to attend some longer Zen training.I have decided to run a Sunday morning mindfulness meditation for people with chronic illness, chronic pain and other long-term issues that restrict enjoyment of life. I have called for volunteers to help seed this program and to help new people attending for the first time to feel welcome.Volunteers need not attend every Sunday but only when they have time. There is no charge for anyone for these days. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE USE OF THE ROOM FOR FREE, which would cost $50 normally.I think that volunteers who can attend will see the power of meditation enhancing peoples lives. This will give everyone who attends an opportunity have more meditation practice as well.I hope this year you can find yourself siting in Zen on some of these days.Marie and I are intending to do a partner/solo retreat for 28 days early this year. Ordinary practice periods will remain for all students during this time.Warm Regards to all Zen studentsRoshi Ku San Barry