“If you have some pain or difficulty, it is a good chance for you…if you have no pain, it is rather difficult to appreciate the power of Zen.”

- Shunryu Suzuki, 2 December 1967

Our human lives are filled with difficult challenges:  illness, loss, disappointment. Personally, there is sadness and loneliness and physical pain.  However, our life is also shot through with a special energy of life. So joy, love and lightness are available too, even amid challenges. Great beauty can be there.

We want our life to be easy, without understanding what our difficult moments really are. Could they be special opportunities? A special power of Zen?

Our life is a gift beyond our understanding.  Each one has a special creative gift to offer the world, but it is easily lost in the confusion and chaos of daily life.

How do we access this special energy? And how do we find our special unique gifts that gives each being a special purpose? And find that even amid difficulty and adversity? 

We come together for an unusual time to practice intimately with the difficulties to encourage our creative spirits. Encouraged by the noble silence and stillness of meditation we create the conditions together so our beautiful gifts can emerge— and flourish.  We encourage each other on this special day.

We will spend a special day together practicing meditation/chi gung and yoga. We will invite our mysterious gifts to come and flourish, trusting our effort.

The day will feature a good amount of seated, as well as walking meditation, some chi gung, restorative yoga and even outdoor walking.  The day will begin at 8 AM and will include a lunch. The day ends when we chant the refuges together at 4 PM and bring our gifts and realization out into the world.  There will be a dharma talk in the afternoon and an opportunity to ask questions or discuss practice.

Who’s Leading?

Danny Parker (Shōjō Reigen) is a transmitted Zen Priest in the Soto Zen Buddhist lineage of Shogaku Shunryu Suzuki. He started Zen practice in 1974 and is a long time student of Jusan Edward Espe Brown known for his books on cooking (Tassajara Bread Book and Tassajara Cooking). Ed’s dharma heir, Danny, has taught in many places in the U.S. and Europe with a wide ranging sangha near his home in Florida as well as in Austria and Northern Italy. He is editor of a vibrant book on Ed Brown’s dharma talks: The Most Important Point, Sounds True, 2019. In his day job, he works as a research scientist at the University of Central Florida. He is interested in how Zen practice and other facets of spiritual endeavor—including science, cooking and history-- can enrich everyday life.

Schedule

6:45- 6:55 Meet at Ashtanga Yoga Linz

7:00 Instruction on the day

7:15 Zazen (seated meditation)

7:45 Walking meditation inside

8:00 Zazen

8:30 Walking mediation 8:40 Chi gung

9:10 Serve tea at one’s seat

9:30 Morning Break

9:50 Walking meditation

10:00 Zazen

10:20 Easy Morning Yoga with Mika

10:50 Zazen

11:20 Walking meditation

11:30 Zazen

12:00 Walking meditation/ Short break

12:15 Chant Heart Sutra

12:25 Lunch (first 5 minutes silent)

13:30 Afternoon Break (Outdoor walk, nap, read or other on your own)

14:30 Restorative yoga

14:45 Zazen

15:05 Walking meditation

15:15 Dharma talk

15:45 Short zazen

16:00  Closing circle

16:25  Chant Metta Sutta

16:30  Chant & Goodbye

Is this also suitable for beginners in Zen meditation?

Yes, it is also suitable for beginners in Zen meditation.

What do I need apart from comfortable clothes?

Please bring a tea cup and bowl and napkin to receive the lunch offering. If you have a favorite mediation pillow, please bring it. A vegan soup lunch will be provided at 12:25. There will be a full free hour in the afternoon when you are able to take care of errands and personal needs. We do ask that participants try to maintain noble silence for the day including turning off phones and devices.

Is the end time fixed at 4 pm?

The end time is fixed at 4 pm. It is possible that we may overrun the time. You can just leave when if you have further plans.

In which language will the event be held?

The event will be held in English language.

What is the cost for the event?

The one-day retreat is by donation only. The suggested donation is 30 Euro to cover expenses. Anything more is a gift to the teacher. All donation is discretionary. My intention is that no one is turned away due to financial limitations. Please come.

Note: Danny will remain in Linz on Sunday after the retreat and is available for personal meetings (dokusan) or practice discussion by appointment.

More information: vesela@mehralsnuressen.at