Updates on training

With the Omicron COVID virus numbers dropping, and with no more problems with COVID at the monastery, there are now opportunities to practice at Zen Mountain Monastery.  However, one has to be vaccinated and have a PCR COVID test that is negative within the last three days of arriving at the monastery.  Also a test will be performed when the person arrives which will also need to be negative for the person to enter the monastic community.  For those who are not able to participate in retreats at the monastery, there are online programs available to support our practice.  

Sensei Hogen Green (pictured above) will be leading a retreat "Nuts & Bolts of Zen Practice: Great Determination.  This retreat is open to anyone.  In this retreat Sensei Hogan will explore how Great Determination manifests, its relationship with our spiritual intention and other perspective bearing on this essential quality of practice.  Some of the questions that can arise in exploration of limitless determination: What is it? A feeling, and accomplishment, a demand?  Where so I find this quality, even if I do not feel I have innate perseverance? How does this great determination encourage me?  How does it discourage?

As usual there will be ample time for more questions and your thoughts you would like to share in this exploration. These sessions are open to anyone, and designed specifically with Practicing Members in mind.

For those interested in basic instruction, there is also an opportunity to get it directly from the MRO teachers and senior staff.  This happens bimonthly and is available to anyone.  This online opportunity helps one to learn how to sit zazen and establish a personalized practice space of your own. Participants will join the liturgy service at 9 a.m. on Livestream.com/MRO before joining this session on Zoom. There will be time for questions before switching back to Livestream for the dharma talk. Offered bimonthly.  For more information visit:  ​https://zmm.org/all-programs/