Crossroads Retreat: The Samadhi of Letting Go
Samadhi: “…a non-dualistic state of consciousness… an abiding in which mind becomes very still but does not merge with the object of attention…”
There is a place where the Red Road intersects the Buddha Way, where the samadhi of letting go can inform both our meditation and our prayers… we can meet there and enjoy a weekend of zazen, service, and ceremony.
The approach in this retreat will be to explore an intersection of these ancient teachings; an intersection where both traditions rely, in an important way, on our ability to “let go” –not as an event, but as a posture, as a way of being… this is a crossroads rich in possibilities for personal healing and community building.
The weekend will provide an opportunity to work on a personal basis with the integration of the samadhi of non-doing with the samadhi of action; to integrate our intention to be silent with our commitment to “right speech.”
The program will be mostly silent and consist of a modest sitting (zazen) schedule, walking meditation, work-practice (projects to benefit Jikoji), group discussion (talking circle) and prayer (sweat lodge). The retreat will begin on Saturday, October 25, at 9:00 a.m. and will be held at Jikoji Zen Retreat Center (Jikoji.org), one hour south of San Francisco. The program will conclude at 5:00 pm on Sunday October 26th.
The retreat leader is Ryan Brandenburg, student of Kobun Chino-roshi since 1969 and Director of Jikoji for ten years (1993 - 2003). Ordained as a priest in Chino-roshi’s lineage and as a ceremonial leader in Native American traditions, he has participated in or led ceremonies and sesshins in Europe, India, and North America. As President of the Board of Directors for the Center for Sacred Studies (2005-09, 2012-), he currently maintains a private practice from his home in California and is on the teaching staff for the Center’s Ministerial Training Program.
Although this is a dāna -based practice, and as such, there is no charge for participation, the cost for food lodging at Jikoji is $110 /person for the weekend. Work-exchange is available. (Overnight accommodations on Friday or Sunday are available.)
To register: please send your lodging/food contibution to Donate or or email crossroads.retreat@gmail.com for mailing address to send checks