Summer Retreat - Silky Oak Zen - February 2016

 

Theme: Facing Fear through Loving Compassion

Hi Everyone,

We will be holding a weekend retreat at "Silky Oak Zendo" 26th, 27th and 28th of February, 2016.

This retreat is for all of our regulars and friends and so all are welcome to attend.

The retreat is being held at Silky Oak Zen's new Zendo:

3/63 Webb St
East Gosford NSW.
Please park on the Street.

About our Theme

Loving-kindness (Metta/Maitri) is the experience of having friendly and loving relationship towards ourselves and others. It’s also the practice of loving experience without the suffering that arises from attachment.

In truth, many of us harbour harsh thoughts and feelings about ourselves. We experience these feelings to a greater or lesser degree and sometimes they are greatly amplified. These negative thoughts and feelings can be so overwhelming, that it can be difficult to see where there is even a skilful way out.

In practice, ‘all troubled doors’ can be closed with the practice of Zen. In our daily lives, we use the fruits of Zen practice to not harshly judge ourselves - to be gentle and kind - as we are - here and now.

We can remember one of Buddha’s teachings that we can search the whole tenfold Universe, but we will still not find a single Being more deserving of our Loving-kindness than the one right here.

“Searching all directions with your awareness, you find no one dearer than yourself. In the same way, others are dear to themselves. So you shouldn't hurt others if you love yourself”……………………………The Rājan Sutta

The regular practice of loving-kindness and right speech, lifts our self-esteem and promotes our well-being, and this in turn lifts the well-being of all those around us.

In this retreat we have the aspiration to apply loving kindness to our own daily lives, as we interrelate with all beings.

Ordinations

We will also be celebrating some ordinations during the retreat. Some of our regular members are stepping up to enhance their own journey of practice. Our aspirants: Ashwin Bhatt, Steve Allan and Don Anderson will be ordained into The Mugendo Zen Kai (The Order of the Boundless Way).

This will be a very special and welcoming experience, so please come along and celebrate with our wonderful friends, who are taking this next step on their path. The ordination ceremony is also a meditative and contemplative experience and a benefit to all in practice on retreat.

Any family, friends etc, please arrive around 9.30am.

Also please bring your phone/camera or video camera if you wish to take photos and record the event.

Retreat Schedule

Friday Evening Session

6.30pm Formal Opening of the Retreat

6:45pm One Period of Zazen
7.15 Kinhin walk
7.50 Meditation – Metta/Maitri – Self Care
8.30 Tea/Teisho (DharmaTalk-Steve)
9.00 Close and return home for a peaceful sleep

Saturday Schedule:

Morning Session

7:00 Arrive (Chosho -morning bell tolled 9 times)

7:15-Call to Zazen - (Moktok)
7:30-8:00 One period of Zazen (Chosan- first morning meditation)
8.00-8.30 Chanting and Recitation Service
8:30- Kitchen aids prepare Genkan for breakfast- bring out trays and toaster :-)
8:30-9:15 Breakfast ceremony “Mindful Eating - Silence for the first 30 minutes”
9:15-9:30 Break and kitchen clean up.

Second Morning Session

9.30 am Bells, Drums and Procession to the Zendo

9.45 am Traditional wooden tapping (Moktok) and Bell

10.00 am "Ordination Ceremony" All Welcome

11.30 am Closing Mantra and photos

12.00 Noon: Lunch and Photos East Gosford Japanese Gardens. (Table is booked)

Afternoon Session

1:30 to 2.30 Anya walk – Takuhatsu hats –optional (Bush Walk)

Return to Zendo

3.00-3.30 One period of Zazen

3.30-4:00 Tea/Teisho (Don- Dharma Talk)
4:15-Closing - Konsho (striking the evening bell) tolled 9 times _/|\_
4.30 Close and return home for a peaceful sleep

Sunday Morning Session

7.00 Metta/Maitri Practice

7.30 Kinhin walk
8.00 One period of Zazen
8.30 Tea/ Teisho (Ashwin-Dharma Talk)
8.45 Informal breakfast and Discussion
10:00 Samu (work period)
10:30 One Period of Zazen
11.00 Metta/Maitri Closing Meditation

Notes:

The retreat is about practice and friendship. You are welcome to come along to some or all of the retreat. The Friday night session would be helpful if you are new to practice and are wishing to participate in Saturday or Sunday. Friday night also sets the theme for the weekend. Gentle guidance will also be ongoing throughout the retreat.

There are no dues or fees for the retreat, but any small donation to keep our centre running would be gratefully accepted. The donation box is in the Zendo (meditation hall).

Please wear blacks or dark colours to limit distraction. OBW clergy please wear full robes and Rakusu. Members please wear your mala.

Please do not wear perfumes or colognes. We also don’t use incense at Silky Oak and our candles are made from natural products.

Please bring a plate to share for breakfast on the Saturday.

Lunch will be at the Japanese Gardens (East Gosford) on Saturday so please bring a little money for that.

We will do the Anya (Bush Walk) straight after at "Rumbalara Reserve" (It's the "Grass Tree Walk" this time), so please bring walking shoes and a hat. There are only limited Takuhatsu (hats) available, so anyone wishing to purchase their own ahead of time, please contact Hoka Matt at mlawther@hotmail.com. Otherwise any hat will do.

If you have any questions about the retreat, please contact Hoka Matt on 0401 231 251 or Seido Merelyn on 0414 819 136

Everything has been pre-planned, so please just come along and enjoy. We would be grateful if you could RSVP when possible, just so we can work out space and numbers.

Please forward this email to all friends or practitioners who may be interested.

In Loving Kindness

Jishin Hoka (Matt)
Silky Oak Zen