January 2023 – All Day Retreat in Nature

Saturday, January 7, 2023! Bring in the New Year with Ordinary Zen Sangha All-day retreat at Myakka River State Park. The natural setting surrounded by the beauty of nature will help us to relax, reflect, and renew ourselves. We will start promptly at 9:00 am (arrive by 8:45 am). There will be several sitting and walking meditations during the day, Dharma Talks, and a vegetarian/vegan potluck lunch. The retreat will be over at 4:30 pm. RSVP is recommended. The retreat will […]

All-day retreat at Myakka River State Park – Registration Form

Register here for the all-day retreat at Myakka River State Park on Saturday, January 7, 2023. We will start promptly at 9:00 am (arrive by 8:45 am). There will be several sitting and walking meditations during the day, Dharma Talks, and a vegetarian/vegan potluck lunch. The retreat will be over at 5:00 pm. The retreat will be limited to 40 participants. ( as of 01/01/2023 we are filling up, please rsvp) There is a park entrance fee of $6.00 per […]

Ian has moved on and we are still cleaning up.

The session for Sunday, Oct. 2 has not been confirmed. As of this writing, power has not been restored at our home. We do have a generator and are fine otherwise. Like a lot of us around Sarasota, there is debris to clean up. We are being patient as things get back to something more normal. I have not decided whether we will have a practice session this Sunday. I would like to hear from those who would, or could, […]

OZS-Zendo

OZS News for August – 2022

OZS News Once a month we invite those Sangha members present at the Sunday Morning Practice Session to join us for Brunch afterward. It is a way for us to have some together action and get to know each other better. Please let me know if you will be joining us for brunch on Sunday, August 7, 2022. We occasionally invite Sangha members to take the “High Seat” and experience leading a practice session at our Sangha. It is a wonderful experience […]

The Father of Mindfulness

You have probably heard of the passing of Thich Nhat Hahn. He was a Buddhist monk, peace activist, prolific author, poet, teacher, and founder of the Plum Village Tradition, historically recognized as the main inspiration for engaged Buddhism. There are many quotes from him over the years that have resonated with me.  Today in a newsletter from the director of the film “Walk With Me” – Marc J Francis,  came these quotes that I would like to share with you: […]

Will Rauschenberger

Beginnings Are Endings – Endings are Beginnings

As 2021 comes to a close, another year is etched into the storehouse of consciousness. The storehouse consciousness is where we keep all impressions as seeds of the physical and mental experience.  The storehouse consciousness is said to store the impressions of previous experiences, which form the seeds of future karma in this life and the next. How do we transform our consciousness to live fully as human beings, to be fully awakened and realize our potential for wisdom and […]

This Is Zen – An all-day retreat

Saturday, October 2, 2021. The Retreat will be on Zoom and in person at our Zendo for fully vaccinated individuals.  6:50 am to 7:30 am – Our day starts with Meditation Practice on Siesta Key Beach (weather permitting). Directions: We will meet Northeast of the last lifeguard tower furthest north of the pavilion. Park in the North Lot. 9:00 am to 5:00 pm –  We begin our retreat with an opening ceremony, chanting the Heart Sutra, and a 30-minute meditation, followed by an introductory […]

OZS-Zendo

Important News – Our Zendo Is Open

Ordinary Zen Sangha has reopened. Based on recent studies, according to the C.D.C., it will be safe for those of us who have been fully vaccinated. I am inviting Sangha members to join me for all of our activities in person at our Zendo, the Wednesday Evening Practice Session, Sunday Morning Practice Session, and our upcoming Retreat. Newcomers are always welcome. Zoom sessions and podcasts of the Dharma Talks will continue. Please check the calendar for updates or cancellations before […]

Ordinary Zen Sangha is mentioned in Talk KOREA Article

We are mentioned in an article about Won Kwang Sa Zen Temple (Korean: 원광사, English: Original Light Zen Temple) a Korean traditional Zen temple and monastery located near Fárikút in a valley near Esztergom, Hungary. The only architecturally traditional Korean temple in Europe/ 10 years anniversary of the Zen Hall https://www.korea.net/TalkTalkKorea/English/community/community/CMN0000004722

Campaign Nonviolence Conference events August 6-8, 2020

Hi Will: This is the national Conference that we organized, I was very involved in the organizing. As you will see I am teaching on Friday and presenting on Saturday.  I would like to extend an invitation to all members of the Sangha. To participate for free you just need to enter the code: CNVFRIEND2020. Would you kindly pass on?  Thanks, Veronica Pelicaric https://paceebene.salsalabs.org/saturdayeblast-8-1-20?wvpId=4e804234-829e-4092-863f-ad0e8e6784be