Dear Sangha, Charlene and I are at the end of our first week at Orginal Light Zen Temple. Very welcoming and wonderful Sangha. We love it here! I would like to share a poem that Charlene wrote about daily temple life. A Gentle Awakening The 4 A.M. sunrise illuminates the crown of the yurt. Then, morning birdsong. A solo recital. The 5 A.M. Zen drum beckons. And so it begins. Shoes on shoes off, shoes on shoes off, shoes on […]
Category Archives: retreat
Taking June 2024 Off for a Personal Retreat
Last year, I took a month off in August for a personal retreat. This year, I will take a month off in June. There will be no practice sessions in June 2024. I will be in Budapest, Hungary from Thursday, June 6th through Sunday, June 9th for an advanced meditation retreat at the Original Light Zen Temple that will be led by Zen Master Chong An Sunim. I will also be traveling with Chong An Sunim and his family after […]
Retreat In Nature, 11/18/2023 – Photo Gallery
Thank you, wonderful retreat participants! You all made our retreat and precepts ceremony an auspicious and meaningful experience.
One Day In November
All Buddhas, in all the Buddha worlds, be present for this special day in November, a truly auspicious day! The OZS Silent Retreat Day – Nov. 18, 2023. This will be our third All Day Silent Retreat at Myakka River State Park. Come and join us for a day of peace and rejuvenation in nature. No previous experience with meditation is necessary. There will also be a Precepts Ceremony at the end of the retreat. Please register here, as space is […]
November 18th, All Day Retreat & Precepts
Good Friends, I would like to remind you that we are a month away from our All Day Silent Retreat at Myakka River State Park. Come and join us for this wonderful experience. No previous experience with meditation is necessary and an intro on how to meditate will be available. We will start promptly at 10:00 a.m. Arrive one-half hour early for the intro. The retreat will be in silence. There will be several sitting and walking meditations during the day, […]
News and updates – 10/1/23
Good Friends, Our ‘Silent Retreat in Nature‘ is getting closer and if you haven’t registered yet, I encourage you to do so! I want to especially congratulate those who have signed up for the precepts ceremony. The ceremony will be at the end of the retreat and I will be interviewing each participant during the day. When your time comes, someone will let you know. Nothing scary about the interview, just want to have a moment with each of the […]
OZS All-day Silent Retreat At Myakka River State Park,11-18-23
The next Retreat in Nature will be Saturday, November 18, 2023 Join us at Myakka River State Park for the Ordinary Zen Sangha all-day silent retreat! The natural setting surrounded by the beauty of nature will help us to relax, reflect, and renew ourselves. We will start promptly at 10:00 am (arrive early). There will be several sitting and walking meditations during the day, Dharma Talks, and a vegetarian/vegan potluck lunch. Tea will be served. The retreat will be over […]
OZS – Retreat In Nature – photo gallery
January 7, 2023, Retreat in Nature
The Darkest Day of the Year
The winter solstice occurs when either of Earth’s poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the Sun. This happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere. In the Northern hemisphere, it is today. December Wednesday, December 21, 2022. This is called the Shortest Day; the Longest Night. Our original nature is the boundless light of wisdom that always shines, even on the darkest nights. I extend warm wishes to you on this Longest night. Darkness gives way to light and the […]
Myakka River State Park Closed till further notice
As of this writing, I do not know if we will be able to have our Retreat on January 7, 2023. (Please sign up for our newsletter to receive updates.) Here is the latest from the park website: HURRICANE IAN UPDATE Myakka River State Park sustained extensive wind and water damage from Hurricane Ian and will be closed to the public until further notice. A reopening date is yet to be determined. All reservations are being canceled through Dec. 18, […]