practice
Weekly Zazen and Service
- Mondays noon - 1pm
- Wednesday noon - 1pm
- Wednesday evenings: orientation 6:30pm, practice 7:00 - 9:00pm
- Fridays noon - 1pm
- Saturdays 6am - 8am (zazen, service and breakfast) During practice period only
We practice at the Red Cedar Dharma Hall on Mondays, Wednesdayas and Fridays from noon to 1pm and our primary meeting every Wednesday evening. Newcomers are always welcome, and orientations with senior students are available by request at 6:30 each Wednesday. One-on-one practice discussion with our resident priest, Tim Burnett, is also available. After two 30-minute periods of zazen, the evenings proceed as follows:
First Wednesday - Zen Work Period (Samu)
Working quietly together in the spirit of meditation, we fulfill our commitment to the Dharma Hall by cleaning the space, taking care of sangha jobs, and bringing the stillness of zazen into our activity.
Second Wednesday - Dharma Talk
A formal dharma talk is given by our resident priest, Nomon Tim Burnett, or a visiting speaker with authorization to give Dharma talks.
Third Wednesday - Bodhisattva Precepts Ceremony
The Bodhisattva Precepts Ceremony is an ancient ceremony in which we renew our intention to live ethically with kindness and regard for all beings. It is a deep ceremony of return.
Fourth Wednesday - Student Talk
Students prepare a short talk on their practice, which may be linked to a reading, followed by discussion. If you would like to give a talk, please speak with Tim or any Leadership Council member.
Meditation Retreats (sesshin)
Each year we offer opportunities to practice more deeply. There are two to four one-day retreats with our resident priest or visiting teachers, and with our guiding teacher we offer two short meditation retreats (sesshin) at the Dharma Hall and one long retreat at rented facilities on Samish Island in the Skagit Valley.
Thes following pages provide additional information about our annual retreats and other practice activities.