Practice offerings

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Practice Offerings

Hokyoji Practice Periods and Retreats 2012

Winter Practice Period: January 22 -- February 18, 2012

Led by Dokai Georgesen with Myo-On Susan Hagler, Shuso.

An ango, or practice period, is modeled on the rainy season retreat of the Buddha’s sangha. It is a time of intensified zazen and study to help practitioners sink deeper into their practice. Its schedule of zazen, daily ritual, work, study and personal time encourage mindfulness throughout the day. (A sample schedule is available here.) Ango practice roots the Buddha’s way deeply and allows the practitioner to take its stillness and awareness along into the world beyond Hokyoji.

Applicants must have completed at least one week-long formal Zen Buddhist sesshin in order to participate in practice period..

Participants unable to attend the whole practice period may participate in one-week increments, arriving on Sunday afternoon and departing on Saturday morning. There are exceptions to this rule. Please speak to head teacher, Dokai Georgeson if you have special circumstances.

For questions or to register for a week or more of Practice Period: please email hokyoji@hokyoji.org, or call (507) 542-4968.

Women's Restorative Zen Practice Retreat: April 13-15

With Ekyo Susan Nelson and friends

Suggested Dana Contribution $75 (for full participation)
Space is limited; please register by April 1, 2012.

This retreat will offer a balance of activity and rest, including sitting and walking meditation, restorative movement, writing practice and nature walks. The Saturday schedule includes a dharma talk and times for silence and conversation.

Give yourself this gift of spring renewal with other women at beautiful Hokyoji.

click here to download flyer

Work Retreats

Spring Work Weekend: May 4-6, 2012

Work retreat is a time for taking care of Hokyoji – its grounds, garden, buildings, organization, and other aspects. It is an excellent chance for practitioners who want more opportunity to practice outside the zendo while still in the context of a Buddhist community. No particular skills are required and there is work for people of all physical capabilities. It’s also a fine opportunity for beginners in Zen practice to spend time sitting, working and sharing with other beginners and with more seasoned practitioners. Zazen instruction is available upon request.

The day begins with zazen followed by a short service and breakfast. Work occupies six or seven of the day, split into two periods with lunch in between and meals are informal. The evening schedule varies according to circumstances. Activities might include zazen, a dharma talk or just sitting around the campfire if the weather permits.

Participants may come for any length of time. There is no fee, though contributions are always appreciated. To register for a work retreat, please email hokyoji@hokyoji.org or call (507) 542-4968.

Summer Practice Period July 15-28, 2012

Additional Sesshins and Community Events in 2012

Winter Break: December 15 -- January 15, 2012

Clouds-in-Water Zen Center: June 16 - 23

http://cloudsinwater.org/

Great Sky Sesshin: (a multi-sangha event) August 11-18

Compassionate Ocean Dharma Center: August 27-September 3

http://www.oceandharma.org/

Clouds-in-Water Zen Center: September 8-15

http://cloudsinwater.org/

Minnesota Zen Meditation Center: September 18-23

http://mnzencenter.org/

For information about events being held at Hokyoji by other organizations, please contact them directly.

SAVE THE DATE!

Memorial Day Weekend

Events include the Annual Membership Meeting, Priest Ordination for Ian Fretheim and Shuso ceremony for Myo-On Susan Hagler.

Please mark your calendars for May 26-27, 2012, and plan to join in for all or some of this weekend of special events.

Overnight lodging can be arranged at Hokyoji, and there are also lodging possibilities in neighboring communities. For more information please contact via e-mail at hokyoji@hokyoji.org or: Ekyo Susan Nelson at: hultmanelson@earthlink.net

We are bringing back: Community Practice and Fun Weekend

This event is for families and individuals of all ages. Please join us for a lively weekend of practice activities, nature hikes, campfires, stories, songs and more. June 29-July 1, 2012. Camping and some indoor beds are available.

Open House, October 14, 2012

All are welcome to this event. Come and find out what it looks like from various sites on the Hokyoji land, hear about the history, walk the trails, see the zendo (meditation hall), take part in a (optional) sitting meditation period, or just tour the buildings and grounds and visit. Refreshments will be provided.

Open Practice

Open practice is an opportunity for experienced practitioners to engage in dedicated practice, whether for a few days or several weeks. This kind of participation also offers the chance for personal instruction and a quiet experience with only two or three other practitioners. It's a gentle way of deepening and stabilizing our practice so that we can rejoin life in the busy world with more ease and grace.

Participants will fully participate in the regular daily schedule of zazen, services, meals, study and work (a sample schedule is available here). However, Hokyoji frequently hosts retreats held by other sanghas, with groups of practitioners arriving for a weekend or a week and maintaining their own schedules of practice in the zendo, the kitchen, and elsewhere on the grounds. Those engaging in open practice will not be required to participate in these events, but will be expected to recognize that others are using the facilities and to manage themselves and their own practice in a way that harmonizes with these events.

Open practice occurs at times when other formally scheduled activities are not taking place. It is dependent on Dokai's schedule and must be arranged with him directly. Previous experience in formal Zen practice is required and a recommendation from one's teacher may be asked for. Contact Dokai by email or by phone at (507) 542-4968.