The Gate of Ease and Satisfaction:
A Weekend Retreat with Koji Acquaviva
Friday, August 21–Sunday, August 23
It’s easy to experience Zen practice as a self-improvement regimen. We can find ourselves thinking of the time we spend practicing as deposits into an account that we may someday be able to cash in. Or we may feel like some dedicated periods of stillness make us less harmful and more beneficial to self and others in our daily lives.
It may, however, serve us well to become curious about an approach to Zen practice that gives us access to an endless well of ease, joy, and satisfaction. So we sit not to turn a “bad” me into a “good” me, but to simply enjoy the unfolding of life as it moves through us.
In this beginner-friendly daylong/weekend retreat, participants will have the freedom to explore a variety of meditation postures, prioritizing ease and naturalness. Periods of meditation will be a bit shorter than usual so that our minds and bodies can remain fresh and buoyant throughout the day.
The retreat will be oriented toward what Dogen Zenji calls in the Bendowa “unconstructed in stillness,” or self-fulfillment samadhi, a practice that depends on recognizing the clear and luminous quality of mind. By cultivating ease and joy in our sitting, we will foster a positive and enthusiastic feeling toward Zen as a gift we can give ourselves.
The weekend will include multiple periods of sitting and walking meditation; dharma talks; informal vegetarian meals; Zen chanting liturgy; temple care (also known as mindful cleaning); rest breaks; and an opportunity to meet one-on-one with the teacher. We will refrain from unnecessary speech and settle into silence.
If interested, complete and submit a registration form and pay the registration fee by the end of the day on August 19.
Partial attendance is possible. Please email George Patenode at georgepatenode@gmail.com if you will only be attending part of the retreat.
$135 for nonmembers / $120 for members / pay what you can