Dae Do Sah Zen Group
Meditation Retreat, August 22-24, 2008 in Rockville, MD
led by Zen Master Dae Gak
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On the weekend of Friday August 22 - Sunday August 24 we will be holding a retreat at the Rockville Zendo (Beth and Curt's house) with Zen Master Dae Gak. The cost for the retreat will be $70 - which includes Friday dinner, breakfast lunch and dinner on saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. To register or find out more about the retreat please send us email.

The main focus of our retreats is the practice of sitting meditation (zazen). We strive to maintain silence during our retreats, except for times specified for Dharma Talks, interviews and chanting. Meals are silent and taken together, but do not follow any particular "form" (such as oryoki). Meditation periods include a combination of sitting, walking and chanting. Sitting periods last from 20 to 30 minutes, during which time everyone makes a determined effort not to move or make any noise.

Some previous experience with meditation is assumed in our retreats. Mainly this means that you are expected to be able to sit still for long periods of time (up to 30 minutes) - and to do this over and over again from Friday evening until Sunday noon. Almost everyone finds this to be difficult or at least challenging - even experienced students. But a retreat is a valuable opportunity to go much deeper than is possible for most people in their daily practice.

Unless otherwise noted our retreats are not "sleep-over" retreats. Retreat participants, except for people from out of town and who have made special arrangements, leave the retreat on Friday night, come back Saturday morning, leave again Saturday night, and come back Sunday morning.

In order to make our retreats more accessible, ample break time is schedule throughout the day. 90 minutes is scheduled for breakfast and lunch, and an hour is scheduled for dinner, and there is also an additional 30 minute break during the afternoon. Retreatants can make use of the break times in any way that is quiet and does not interfere with others. You can bring appropriate reading material, a journal to write in, etc - or you can just rest, take a walk, stretch, etc. If it is logistically possible we will also designate a place for people to do "extra" sitting practice during rest periods. There is also a silent group walk in the nearby park on Saturday and Sunday morning, weather permitting.
Mr. Lu chopping bamboo The registration fee for this retreat is $70.

Typical Retreat Schedule:

Friday Evening
5:30 PM Informal dinner, followed by set up
7:00 PM Orientation
7:30 PM meditation practice
9:00 PM Retreat ends for the night

Saturday
6:30 AM silent group walking in Rockcreek Park
7:30 AM sitting meditation
8:30 AM breakfast
10:00 AM chanting and sitting
12 Noon lunch
1:30 PM meditation
3:30 PM break
4:00 PM meditation
5:30 PM dinner
6:30 PM chanting and sitting
9:00 PM Retreat ends for the night

Sunday
6:30 AM silent group walking in Rockcreek Park
7:30 AM meditation
8:30 AM breakfast
10:00 AM chanting and sitting
12 Noon informal lunch (retreat ends)

For more information please email us.

• home • silver spring • adams morgan • rockville • links • email