We offer basic instruction on sitting and walking meditation, including a Sunday morning Orientation for Beginners, to help you begin or rejuvenate a meditation practice. We recommend that you attend one of these sessions before attending morning meditation at Clouds in Water. There is no fee and no registration. Please refer to the instruction schedule for more information.
Summer Break: There will be no weekday morning, weekday noontime and Saturday morning meditation from August 11 to September 1, 2008. This period is designated a time of rest. Sunday Morning Meditation will continue to be offered during this time.
Sunday activities are free and open to everyone. You are welcome to participate, whether or not you have done meditation practice previously.
| 8:15 | First sitting meditation period (dedicated on the first Sunday of the month to a guided compassion meditation for the community) |
| 8:45 | Walking meditation |
| 9:00 | Second sitting meditation period |
| 9:30 | Welcome, announcements and opening chant |
| 9:35 | Dharma talk |
| 10:10 | Sangha discussion or activity |
| 10:30 | Tea and conversation in our social hall |
Please note: On July 26, 2008 the Saturday morning meditation schedule shifts to the sesshin's morning schedule. Visitors are welcome to join the sesshin participants for meditation and liturgy. E-mail the Ino for a sesshin schedule.
| 7:00 | Sitting meditation |
| 7:25 | Walking meditation |
| 7:35 | Sitting meditation |
| 8:00–8:30 | Complete Liturgy (chanting service) |
Effective as of January 2, 2008.
| Monday through Thursday | |
| 6:15 | Zazen (sitting meditation) |
| 6:45 | Kinhin (walking meditation) |
| 6:55 | Zazen (sitting meditation) |
| 7:30 | Liturgy (chanting service) |
| 7:45–8:00 | Soji (light temple cleaning) |
| Monday through Thursday | |
| Noon–1:00 | Informal open meditation—sit or walk as you choose |
** If you arrive for early morning zazen, or any time you find the lobby doors locked, you can enter our space through the back door, located off Broadway Street, through the iron gate and up the half-flight of stairs. This door enters directly into the zendo. If you arrive within 5 minutes of the first sitting, please take a seat near the door; after walking meditation you may move to the center of the zendo. For evening meditation and the Sunday Community Service, use the front entrance.
Our mission is to joyfully awaken the Heart of Great Wisdom and Compassion in the next generation. We offer a comprehensive program for children and youth on Sunday mornings during the fall, winter and spring quarters. Classes include story, discussion, arts/crafts, songs, games, yoga, and meditation/mindfulness practice. Seven age groups, nursery through high school, meet with volunteer teachers, every other week, for six sessions per quarter. The sessions run concurrently with Sunday Morning Meditation. At 10:20 am, the children join the adults in the zendo for songs, sharing and ceremony. See the Practice for Children and Youth Page for more information.
With Byakuren Judith Ragir and Senior Students. Once a month, on the Sunday nearest the full moon, we hold a precept reflection and recitation. This short service includes a brief reflection on the precepts, followed by a chanting service in which we recite the precepts. The reflection will focus on how we have lived in relationship with the precepts in the past month and a recommitment to our practice in the next month. Everyone is welcome.
Sundays, 10:30–11:00 am.
April 20
May 25
June 15
July 20
August 17
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The aim of meditation is to be intimate with whatever experience arises.
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Breathe gently through your nose. Follow the breath as it moves in and out from a point two finger widths beneath your navel.
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Allow the breath to sponsor awareness of the body, feelings, and the mind.
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When your attention wanders, gently and directly return to the vivid present moment with earnestness.
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For sitting meditation, sit comfortably with your back naturally straight, either on a cushion or in a chair.
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For walking meditation, walk with awareness of your breath as you step. As you inhale, raise the heel of your foot. When you reach the height of inhalation, slowly swing the foot forward, taking half a step. As you touch the ball of your foot to the floor, gently exhale. Then gently lower the rest of the foot.
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A bell will signal the beginning (3 rings) and end (2 rings) of meditation. The bell will also ring every 15 minutes during meditation. This is your opportunity to change your sitting position or to change from sitting to walking (or walking to sitting). |
Webmaster's note: There are also good instructions for zazen here at the Zen Mountain Monastery site.
