Topical retreats focus on a specific aspect of spiritual practice and the schedule is less rigorous than a sesshin.
Team-led by Byakuren Judith Ragir and other practitioners
A tremendous transformative process can occur with the weaving together of “12-Step work and support” and “Buddhist meditation and principles.” These two paths, combined, have proven to be for many an unshakable program for living with serenity. In this retreat, we will help make the translation from the mainly Christian-based language of the 12-Step programs to the non-theistic language of Buddhism. In sharing our experience and strength with each other we can:
Using silent meditation, interactive exercises, talks, and discussion, the emphasis will be on bringing mindfulness to all our activities, whether in meditation, walking, speaking, listening, or eating. Participants will practice Noble Silence outside of the interactive exercises and discussion periods. Participants are welcome to sleep at the center (sleeping bags on the floor cushions) or commute.
Thursday, March 11, 7:00 pm–9:00 pm
Friday, March 12, 6:30 am–9:00 pm
Saturday, March 13, 6:30 am–9:00 pm
$100 (members: $85)
With guest Ellen Hufschmidt, MA, Ritualist, Chaplain, and Hospice Family Support Coordinator; Rev. Myo-O Marilyn Habermas-Scher, Soto Zen priest, hospital chaplain, performing artist and teacher of VoiceWork; and Guiding Teacher Byakuren Judith Ragir
If you are a woman between twelve and one-hundred years old, you are invited to a day-long women’s retreat. We will unite our Women’s Wisdom and the Buddha Dharma Wisdom. We will sit together, walk the spiral together and experience the Triple Goddess of Life, Death and Rebirth within our own hearts, minds and bodies. The wisdom of changeability is the dharma of impermanence. You are invited to bring photos or images of women who have been important in your life as well as images or statues of the sacred feminine from any tradition. Together we will create an altar with these images. Our day will include sitting meditation, chanting, walking, and movement.
Saturday, April 10
9:00 am–4:00 pm
$50 (members: $40)
event flyer
With Ken Ford
Our formal three-bowl meal is an important part of our ritual heritage and a center-piece of the sesshin (meditation retreat) experience here at Clouds in Water. Oryoki is also a wonderful teacher for all of the giving and receiving that comprises our daily activity. This workshop will provide both training for full participation in the meal and a deeper understanding and appreciation of the ritual aspects of our practice. The morning will include zazen, and will end with an Oryoki lunch.
This workshop is particularly recommended for students with limited or no sesshin experience, but would be valuable for any students wishing to refresh their oryoki practice and deepen their appreciation for the ceremony of the meal.
Saturday, March 20
9:00 am–12:30 pm
$45 (members: $35)
With Sosan Theresa Flynn
How wonderful it is to sit down right in the middle of your life. For just one morning, let go of your things to do and your places to be. Let go of your rigid sense of who you are, who you were and who you want to be … and just breathe. Are you new to this practice, but want to enter deeply? Then this retreat is for you! Instruction in all the forms will be provided. The morning will include several sitting periods, a liturgical service, a formal oryoki breakfast, and a short lecture.
Saturday, April 17
6:00 am–Noon
$45 (members: $35)
Saturday, June 12
6:00 am–Noon
$45 (members: $35)
With Guest Teacher CathyAnn Beaty
You can learn more about a person in an hour of play, than in a lifetime of conversation.
–Plato
Join us for an opportunity to play together as a family. Using easy forms which include movement, storytelling, voice and stillness, InterPlay offers an incremental and affirming approach to play. Discover ways to create stories, dances and songs on the spot that give you the chance to learn about your family members in new and fun ways.
Sharing in InterPlay together creates assurance, a sense of belonging, and helps in communication when words alone aren't enough. Playing together is one of the best ways to create peace and harmony!
Saturday, July 10
9:00 am–12:30 pm
Cost: $45 (members: $35) for Individuals or Families
Mark your calendars the fall InterPlay workshop: Interplay with Couples on Saturday October 2, 2010.
CathyAnn Beaty is an InterPlay master teacher, dancer and visual artist. She has been practicing and teaching InterPlay for 20 years nationally and internationally as well as leading groups through her Minneapolis-based business SoulPlay. She specializes in working with helping professionals especially therapists, clergy and spiritual leaders. More information about CathyAnn and Interplay is available on her website: www.soulplay.org.
With Guest Teacher Red Pine (Bill Porter)
By popular demand, Bill Porter returns to the Twin Cities for a weekend in July. He will give a public talk on the Silk Road on Friday evening at Clouds in Water, followed by a Saturday workshop and the Sunday morning lecture at MZMC. In the workshop, he will share insights gained from years of experience working with the foundational texts of Zen, focusing on the Platform Sutra and his current translation project, the Lankavatara Sutra.
Workshop
Saturday, July 24
9:00 am–4:00 pm
$75 (members: $65)
Hosted by Minnesota Zen Meditation Center.
Public Talk
Friday, July 23
7:00 am–9:00 pm
$15
Hosted by Clouds in Water—no registration necessary.
A celebrated translator of Buddhist scripture and poetry, Bill Porter publishes under the name Red Pine. His career began in 1972 when he dropped out of a Ph.D. program at Columbia and spent four years in a Buddhist monastery in Taiwan. He then lived for many years in Taiwan and Hong Kong and has traveled extensively in China.
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