COVID-19 response update for OZS practice sessions

All OZS sessions at our Sarasota Zendo on Fruitville Road are canceled till May 1, 2020. With COVID-19 active on our continent and locally, as a precaution, I have canceled Wednesday evening and Sunday morning meditation sessions at our Zendo, effective immediately for the rest of March. As we navigate through this health concern, the most important thing is for everyone to take care of each other. If we work together as a community to slow the transmission, our health […]

COVID-19 response at OZS

“When the crowded Vietnamese refugee boats met with storms or pirates, if everyone panicked, all would be lost. But if even one person on the boat remained calm and centered, it was enough. It showed the way for everyone to survive.” –Thich Nhat Hanh OZS is monitoring the COVID-19 situation as it unfolds and currently remains open for practice on Wednesday evening and Sunday morning. We are promoting handwashing and sanitation, as well as bowing as greeting in lieu of […]

Chong An Sunim at OZS

Retreat Weekend with Zen Master Chong An Sunim

Zen Master Chong An Sunim – March 6,7,8, 2020 Join with us to explore and deepen your meditation practice under the guidance of a dynamic and gifted Zen Master. There will be an opportunity for a variety of practices, geared for the benefit of all participants. Beginners and old-timers alike are gratified by Sunim’s humor, down-to-earth approach, avoidance of intellectualisms, and of esoteric wordiness. His practice instruction is realistic and practical, yet somehow leaves you beautifully informed as to the meaning […]

Altar at OZS

January 2020 – All Day Silent Retreat

Saturday 1/18/2020 9:00AM – 5:00PM A traditional, yet relaxed all day sit begins at 9:00 am and includes chanting, meditation, a silent lunch, and dharma talk/discussion. Abbot Will Rauschenberger is also available for a private meeting (dokusan), if requested. Suggested contribution for the All Day Sit is $20.00 but this is not arbitrary,  it is up to you to give what you can. There is no set fee.  Please bring your own brown bag lunch, tea and coffee will be […]

OZS Altar Feature Image

Sunday Meditation Practice – Times are Changing

Our Sunday evening practice is changing to Sunday morning practice! Starting October 6, 2019. At the close of our last retreat, it was the consensus of the sangha members present that it would be easier for most to have our Sunday practice be in the morning instead of the evening. So starting on Oct 6, 2019 we will be meeting at 10:00 am for our meditation practice. Sunday Morning Practice Session: The doors open at 9:30 am and the practice session […]

Hae An & Chong An Sunim

Dharma Teacher Precepts Ceremony

We had a wonderful retreat last weekend with Chong An Sunim.  On Sunday Abbot Will Rauschenberger was recognized as Dharma Teacher in a special precepts ceremony by Chong An Sunim. Will’s Dharma name Hae An (해안), which means ocean-wisdom eye was given to him at his first precepts ceremony in October 2013 by Zen Master Wonji Dharma of the Five Mountain Zen Order and will remain his Dharma name.  

The Peace & Justice Report on WSLR 9-11-19

Chong An Sunim interview on local Radio – WSLR 96.5 In the second half of the hour, Billy Wetherington will be interviewing in studio Will Rauschenberger of the Ordinary Zen Sangha Practice Center of Sarasota and visiting monk Chong An Sunim. They’ll talk about Zen. Coalition of Immokalee Workers and ZEN – Weds, Sept. 11 at 9am on Peace & Justice Also coming up on Fogartyville -WSLR A Mindful Choice  

Zen Master Chong An Sunim Returns to OZS

  Retreat Weekend with Zen Master Chong An Sunim. Sept. 13,14,15, 2019 You are welcome to attend any or all of the following sessions: Friday, September 13, 7:00 pm – Dharma TalkTopic: Zen — The Mind of Emptiness and Abundance. After the Dharma Talk, Sunim will answer questions. Saturday, September 14, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm – Silent RetreatFollowing some basic instruction on meditation, chanting will begin the Silent Retreat, with sessions of sitting meditation, walking meditation, and optional Kongan […]