The essence of all Buddhist teachings, as Suzuki Roshi reminds us, is learning how to live fully in each moment and discover freedom, moment by moment. This is the heart of the Genjo Koan.
In Dogen’s profound and inspiring Genjo Koan, we are invited to meet the present moment directly and to find liberation within everyday life, whatever our inner or outer circumstances may be.
During this retreat, we will explore this teaching and related themes through an embodied approach that brings practice into mind, heart, and body alike. Through zazen, yoga, sense walks, movement meditation, self-care, journaling, and guided discussions with the teachers, we will open ourselves to the Genjo Koan and allow it to meet us in return.
As the needs of our world grow more urgent, so too does our call to deepen the healing power of embodied practice-realization. If we are to serve others as committed bodhisattvas, we must also tend our own capacity to live our practice, discovering where our inner life and the outer world truly connect. As Dogen teaches, our peaceful efforts themselves become the source of peace in each moment.
Whether you are encountering the Genjo Koan for the first time or have long reflected on this rich teaching, you are warmly invited to join this fresh inquiry. While not required, Okumura’s Realizing Genjokoan will serve as the main reference text.
When you find your place where you are, practice occurs, actualizing the fundamental point. When you find your way at this moment, practice occurs, actualizing the fundamental point.
—Eihei Dogen
This cozy room is designed for double occupancy and offers a comfortable double bed, making it a simple and practical choice for guests sharing a stay. Available from Sunday through Wednesday, it provides a quiet setting for those looking to enjoy a more intimate and restful experience during the week.
Ideal for couples or two guests traveling together, the room creates a welcoming space to unwind after a day of wellness activities, relaxation, or exploring the surroundings. Its compact size adds to the sense of privacy and calm, while the double bed ensures a shared sleeping arrangement that feels easy and convenient.
With its straightforward comfort and peaceful atmosphere, this room is a great option for a short midweek escape focused on rest, connection, and simplicity.
This spacious room is designed for double occupancy and features a comfortable king bed, making it a practical and inviting choice for guests traveling together. Available from Sunday through Wednesday, it offers a peaceful setting for a midweek stay with plenty of room to relax and unwind.
Ideal for couples or companions seeking comfort and simplicity, the room provides a calm atmosphere that supports rest, privacy, and a sense of ease throughout your stay. Its generous layout creates a welcoming environment whether you are returning from a day of activities or simply enjoying a quiet retreat indoors.
With its large size and king bed, this room combines comfort and convenience in a way that feels both restful and accommodating for two guests.
Cynthia serves as Guiding Teacher for Great Spirit Sangha and Women of the Way Sangha, and is a senior teacher in Meditation in Recovery. She received Jukai from Paul Haller in 2004, was ordained in 2008, and received Dharma Transmission in 2010 from her heart teacher, Darlene Cohen.Great Spirit Sangha meets twice a month at HSZC, both in person and...
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Diane was ordained as a Soto Zen priest in 2013 and received full Dharma transmission in 2017 within a combined lineage that traces back to Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett, the first Western female Soto Zen priest, and the koan-based Sanbo Kyodan Zen Community through Robert Aitken, Roshi.Community LeadershipIn 2012, Diane founded Zen DownEast, the Maine sangha, where she serves as Spiritual...
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Wed, Jul 15 – Sun, Jul 19