Meditation, Zen, Yoga & Spirituality Retreats 2010

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The Zendo sponsors and arranges retreats with teachers of various traditions. All teachers are expected to abide by the Morgan Bay Zendo Code of Ethics. Retreats are open to everyone. Vegetarian meals are served and a modest fee is charged. The Zendo is closed to visitors during retreats except for Sunday morning meditation, 9-11 am. To register for a retreat, call the retreat leader or download the and mail the completed form with your payment to Morgan Bay Zendo, 532 Morgan Bay Road, Surry, ME 04684.

Scholarships: With all of our retreats, scholarship assistance is available. We encourage you to ask for assistance if you need it.

Meditation Retreat

Friday, May 14, 7 pm - Saturday, May 15, 5 pm
Led by Norman Mrozicki and Charles Guilford

This retreat offers an extended period of sitting meditation beginning Friday night. Participants may sleep in the Zendo if they wish. Meditation begins again at 5 am Saturday morning and continues until 5 pm with breaks for breakfast, lunch, and a short work period. Meditation periods will be 25 minutes with breaks or walking meditation following each one. Simple one-bowl meals will be provided. We will maintain silence during the day. Call Norman 667-5428 or Charles 667-7967 for more information. Suggested donation: $40.

Introduction to Zen Meditation

Sunday, May 23, 1 - 4 pm, Sunday, August 15, 1 - 4 pm
Led by Norman Mrozicki

These introductory sessions will offer instruction in Zen meditation with an emphasis on posture and breathing. Useful for those with limited sitting experience, or for those who have been sitting on their own but have never had formal instruction. Contact Norman Mrozicki 667-5428 for more information. Suggested donation: $10.

Zen and Native American Retreat

Saturday June 26, 9 am - 5 pm
Led by Hugh Curran and Gkisedtanamoogk

Gkisedtanamoogk is a teacher in the tradition of Wampanoag spirituality and will guide us in ceremonies, rituals & drumming outside or in the Meeting Hall depending on weather conditions. We will alternate with Zen meditation sessions to be held in the Zendo. Zen & Native American tradition share a profound concern for ecology and the use of precepts & guidelines to deepen our connection to all sentient beings. Cost: Saturday $60; Friday evening & Saurday $90. Meals are potluck. Contact Hugh Curran for more information 667-7170.

Being Present for Our Children
A Day of Mindfulness For Families

Saturday, June 27, 11 am - 4 pm
Led by Nancy Hathaway

“To be present in this moment, here & now, is to give to our children what they really want.” This day is offered to families who are interested in cultivating mindfulness in everyday life. Mindful play, chanting with percussion instruments, walking in the Zen Moss Garden, storytelling “Life of the Buddha”, mindful movement and practices that can be taken home to family life will be offered. A vegetarian lunch will be served along with juice and snacks throughout the day. Cost: Adults $45, Parenting partners $75, Children free. Contact: info@morganbayzendo.org for more information.

Two Week Zen Study and Practice Program

FIRST WEEK: Sunday, July 11 through Sunday, July 18 Led by Hugh Curran
SECOND WEEK: Sunday, July 18 through Sunday, July 25
Led by Nancy Hathaway

We are holding a two-week practice period July 11-24. Beginning and experienced meditators are welcome to participate in one week or two. Hugh Curran will lead the first week (July 11 – 18) ending with a Zen & Yoga weekend retreat co-led with David Walker. Nancy Hathaway will lead the following week’s practice period (July 18 – 25). This week ends with Studying What It Means to Be Human weekend retreat.

The practice period will be residential and include meals. Sitting, walking, and working meditation will be part of the program along with talks and discussions. Much of the program will be in silence. Both Hugh and Nancy will be available for private interviews if requested. Other long-time Zen practioners will be assisting with the program.

A sample day’s schedule is as follows: morning wakeup at 5:30 am; morning meditation 6-7:30 am; breakfast & cleanup 7:30 am - 8:30 am; work period 9 am - 11 am; cleanup & rest period 11 am - noon; lunch 12 noon - 1 pm; informal meditation 1 pm- 2 pm; work period 2 pm - 4 pm, supper & cleanup 5:30 - 6:30 pm; evening meditation & a talk or reading 7 pm - 8:30 pm; bedtime 9:30 pm. Contact Hugh Curran 667-7170 or Nancy Hathaway 400-0494 for more information. Cost: $250 per week.

Zen, Yoga and Kirtan

Friday evening, July 16, 7 pm - 9 pm, Saturday, July 17, 6 am - 5 pm and Sunday, July 18, 9 am - noon OR Saturday only, July 17, 9 am - 5 pm
Led by Hugh Curran and David Walker

David will teach alignment-based asanas & will focus on postures helpful to sitting meditation. Asanas will be suitable for all levels of experience. The practice of Kirtan involves chanting that serves to reconnect us to the present moment. Yoga & Kirtan sessions will be held in the Meeting Hall while Hugh will conduct sessions in Zen meditation in the Zendo. Participants may come Friday and Saturday, Saturday and Sunday, or Saturday only 9 am-5 pm. Cost: Saturday $60; Fri evening & Sat or Sat and Sun morning $90. Meals are potluck. Contact Hugh Curran 667-7170 for details.

Meditation Retreat: Studying What It Means to Be Human

Saturday, July 24, 9 am - 4 pm and Sunday, July 25, 9 am - 1 pm
Led by Nancy Hathaway

Saturday will begin with tea and an introductory talk followed by guided meditation instruction. Sitting meditation will alternate with walking meditation, including walking in the beautiful Zen Moss Garden. Vegetarian lunches will be served in traditional Zen temple four-bowl style. Summer at the Morgan Bay Zendo is a lovely season for meditation practice and being in nature. Join us for a day or two in this quiet space where mind and body have the opportunity to slow down and “be.” You may arrive Friday night for the retreat. Cost: $45 for Saturday; Sunday $25. For more information email: info@morganbayzendo.org

Summer Afternoon “Kwan Seum Zen Tea”

Wednesday afternoon, August 5, 3 pm - 5 pm
Led by Nancy Hathaway

Welcoming in wisdom and compassion our small group will open to the inspiration of Kwan Seum Bosal, the one who perceives the cries of the world. As we honor this Bodhisattva who resides within, we will softly chant her ancient name guided by a moktak, a percussion instrument used in Korean Zen temples, quietly drink tea in the Sanzen House overlooking the Zendo pond, and mindfully walk in the Zendo Moss Garden to view the statue of Kannon, her Japanese equivalent sculpted by Lenore Straus. Reservations only, limited to ten. Cost: $25. Contact info@morganbayzendo.org for more information.

Zen & Franciscan Spirituality

Saturday, September 18, 9 am - 5 pm
Led by Rolph Fernandes, assisted by Hugh Curran

We are pleased to have Rolph Fernandes lead us in a day-long practice of meditation. Rolph, a native of Trinidad, became a meditation teacher in Switzerland in 1973-74. He was a Franciscan Friar for 43 years and in 1981-1982 lived at Shantivanam Ashram with Bede Griffith. He led meditation workshops & retreats at various centers, was a founding member of “The Interfaith Council of Montreal,” attended Inter-Faith Conferences throughout Europe & founded the Montreal Inter-Faith Peace Gathering. Cost: $60. Meals are potluck. Contact Hugh Curran 667-7170 for further information.

Bodhidharma Day: Zen, Yoga and Kirtan

Friday evening, Oct 8, 7 pm - 9 pm and Saturday, Oct 9, 6 am - 5 pm Or Saturday only, Oct 9, 9 am - 5 pm
Led by Hugh Curran and John Yasenchak

This day honors Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen (Chan) Buddhism. The practice of Kirtan involves chants containing healing and transformational energies that serve to reconnect us to the present moment. John will lead the Yoga & Kirtan sessions while Hugh will conduct Zen meditation. Participants may come Friday evening 7-9 pm or Saturday only 9 am - 5 pm. Cost: Sat: $60; Fri evening & Sat: $90. Meals are potluck. Contact Hugh Curran 667-7170.

Celtic Zen Retreat

Saturday Nov 6, 9 am - 5 pm
Led by Hugh Curran

Similarities between Celtic Spirituality & Zen will be explored. We will discuss the pre-Christian & Celtic Christian period of Celtic spirituality & look at meditation practices that resonate especially with the Zen Buddhist tradition. Silent meditation periods in the Zendo will be interspersed with talks & discussion in the Meeting Hall. Cost: $60. Meals are potluck. Phone 667-7170 for further information.