Bearing Witness – Zen Retreat in Nature

Abbot Will

Silent Retreat – Myakka River State Park – Saturday, December 5, 2026, 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Our theme for this all-day silent retreat is “Bearing Witness”. The park setting, surrounded by nature’s beauty, will help us relax, reflect, and renew. During the day, there will be several sitting and walking meditations, a Dharma talk, and a vegetarian/vegan potluck lunch. Water and tea will be provided.

Overview of the retreat schedule:

• From 9:00 – 9:30 a.m., we will settle in, and Abbot Will Rauschenberger will give a brief talk about what to expect. We will recite the Three Treasures and chant the Heart Sutra to begin the retreat.
• Throughout the day, we will repeat this cycle: a 25-minute seated meditation (Zazen) > a 5-minute walking meditation > a 25-minute seated meditation (Zazen). Between each 1-hour cycle, there will be a 10-minute break for personal time. There may also be a Dharma Talk at some point between cycles.
• A 45-minute potluck lunch break will take place midday, followed by a 20-minute movement session. Lauren Sham, a mindful movement educator, will lead us through a series of movements (seated or standing) coupled with rhythmic breathing, known as Gyrokinesis.
• Zazen Meditation cycles resume.
• At 4pm, we will recite the Four Bodhisattva Vows to end the retreat. In conclusion, we will engage in a group circle talk to discuss our experience.
• 4:30 – 5:00 p.m. clean up.