Schedule

 You don't have to let us know if you wish to attend any of the weekly meditation sessions. All are welcome.

Wednesday Evening, Beginning Meditation

Every Wednesday, we offer a Beginning Meditation Class from 6:45 to 8:00 PM. It is a great introduction for those starting out with meditation practice and an opportunity for more experienced practitioners to meditate with their sangha mid-week.
We do two rounds of seated meditation (about 15 minutes each), separated by a round of walking meditation.
Basic meditation instruction is offered at 6:45 PM. 

We practice a form of meditation known as counting the breath, where you breathe naturally and count each exhalation as it happens, focusing your mind exclusively upon your breath. When you reach the number ten, return to one. If you daydream and forget what number comes next, simply return to one without self-judgment or self-criticism. Visitors are encouraged to show up a bit early to get oriented to the Center and the practice and to wear comfortable, muted, and plain clothing to not visually distract others. The meditation starts at 7:00 PM promptly.

 
While we are a Zen Buddhist group, we welcome individuals from all faiths (or no faith at all).

Monday and Friday Evenings Open Meditation

On Mondays and Fridays he Clear Water Zen Center will be open from 7:00 to 8:00 PM for open meditation. We sit for three 20 minute periods of zazen, with a few minutes of kinhin in between. Everyone is welcome to sit as long as they’d like; 20 minutes, 40 minutes, or the full hour. This is another opportunity for experienced members of our sangha to practice together. If you are new and haven’t meditated before, we would encourage you to attend “Beginning Meditation Night” on Wednesday evening first. 

Sunday Morning, Formal Zazen Meditation

Our doors open @ 9:00am, service starts promptly at 9:30am.  On first visits, please arrive by 9:15am so that we can show you around.

First Sunday of each month: A first sitting meditation of 35 minutes is followed by a few minutes of walking meditation known as kinhin. We have a chanting program for 35 minutes, followed by kinhin and another 35-minute round of zazen meditation.

Second Sunday of each month: A first round of sitting meditation of 35 minutes is followed by kinhin and a dharma talk by Jeff George, followed by kinhin and a second 35-minute sitting.

Third Sunday of each month:  A first round of sitting meditation of 35 minutes is followed by a kinhin and a dharma talk by Jeff George, followed by kinhin and a second 35-minute sitting.

Fourth Sunday of each month: Three rounds of sitting meditation of 35 minutes each, with kinhin following each sitting. During any sitting, participants may quietly leave their sitting cushion and go to a separate room of the Zen Center for daisan, a private and confidential consultation with Jeff George concerning matters of practice.

On rare fifth Sundays, there are three rounds of sitting meditation of 35 minutes each, with a kinhin following each sitting.

Every Sunday practice session ends at 11:30. Participants are welcome to stay after the sitting to chat with each other. Occasionally we have an information social gathering with snacks.  

All day Saturday Meditation Retreats (Zazenkai)

The Center is open on some Saturdays for zazenkai; a day-long meditative retreat. The suggested donation for members is $20 and  for non-members is $30, but everyone is welcome to attend regardless of their ability to pay. 

The typical zazenkai schedule is: 

"A zazenkai (座禅会), literally meaning "to come together for meditation," is a Zen Buddhist retreat that is usually less intensive and of shorter duration than sesshin."

Sometimes, Zazenkai is also called Silence Meditation Retreat or All Day Sitting.
These are opportunities to deepen your practice and bond with sangha members.
Part-time participation is fine. Feel free to email us with any questions or concerns you'd like to talk about.

Here's a schedule for a typical Zazenkai: 

6:15am: First arrival time

6:30am-8:15am: Zazen

8:15am: Second arrival time

8:30am-10:20am: Zazen and Chanting

10:20am-11:00am: Work Period

11:00am-11:45am: Lunch and Rest

11:45am-1:45pm: Zazen and Dharma Talk

1:45pm-2:15pm: Stretching, walking or yoga and Rest

2:15pm-4:15pm: Zazen and Daisan

4:15pm: Clean-up and close

GUIDELINES FOR ZAZENKAI

§ Please take a look at our general rules for Meditation.

§ Noble silence is maintained throughout the zazenkai.

§ We try hard to start on time – please arrive a few minutes before the starting time, 6:30 AM.

§ If you want to participate part-time, please select part-time participation when you fill out the form, and we will set a schedule that will least impact the group.

§ Because there is a work period with assigned tasks, it is very helpful to let us know you plan to attend.

§ BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH – we will provide liquids (water and teas).

§ We recommend a donation to the Center of $20 for members and $30 for non-members. More or less is fine. Never let financial issues stop you from practicing with us.

Hope to see you soon!

Mini Sesshin 

Clear Water Zen Center has a three-day intensive meditation several times a year.
Usually, we begin three rounds of sitting on Thursday evening at 6:30 pm with a tea ceremony and finish at 8:30 pm. 

Friday and Saturday are all day from 6:30 am or  8:15 am until 4:30 pm, where we sit in Zazen, have chanting practice, a work period, Teisho (a Dharma talk), Dokusan (individual instruction), along with rest periods and lunch, which is provided by the center. 

On Sunday is our usual program from 9:30 am til 11:30 am, and we finish with a closing circle.

Attending a min-sesshin is a great opportunity to deepen practice for beginners and experienced practitioners. You are welcome to participate in the whole weekend or parts; we just ask that you let us know in advance so we get the food quantities correct.

Book Club

Usually, Book Club is scheduled monthly on the third Thursday evening at 6:30 pm, finishing at 8:30 pm. 

Please check our Updates page for info on special events and retreats. We encourage everyone to RSVP for all of these events.

If you would like more information, email us at info@clearwaterzencenter.org or call us at (727) 537-0869 if you have any questions.