"And the simple fact that by being attentive, by learning to listen (or recovering the natural capacity to listen which cannot be learned any more than breathing), we can find ourself engulfed in such happiness that it cannot be explained: the happiness of being at one with everything in that hidden ground of Love for which there can be no explanations." - Thomas Merton

To "Hold Space" for ourselves and others, especially during this current uncertain and rapidly changing time in our world. The single most important gift we have to offer ourselves and others in "times of uncertainty" and in life itself is the wisdom, and the art of "Holding Space," being "A Place of Refuge." Tonight through a series of mental and physical exercises familiar in Zen Mind-Body Training and a Dharma Talk about about the Three Refuges of The Buddhadharma and how to develop a tender and open heart for ourselves and others, we will begin to lay the ground for being "Community" for our family, friends, neighbors, and the world during these troubling times.

Creating Clarity Through Morality & Mindfulness by Jizo-an Zen Community

As Spiritual and Religious Americans how do we respond to increasing violence, and the current rise of injustice, discrimination, racism, anti-semitism and hatred we are witnessing in our Country and around the World today? What would the Buddha do? What would Jesus do? What does the Torah teach us to do? Join Seijaku Roshi, Rabbi Simon, and Deacon Jim Casa for this most Inspiring, Educational, and Enlightening discussion!

The Truth will set you free, and the closer we get to our freedom, the more synonymous the effort and the reward. Spirituality or Training is about what Chogyam Trungpa called, "Cutting Through our Spiritual Materialism," both our cultural and social conditioning about being spiritual, ending our consumer oriented approach to being spiritual. Join Seijaku Roshi and Rabbi Richard Simon as they discuss "The Truth About Being Spiritual."

"I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity." - Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dedicated to the healing of Our Veterans Serving Around The World: A Day of Serene Meditation and Silence for The End of War in Our World

Characterized by silence and deep introspection, sesshin is recommended to anyone who is sincerely interested in experiencing authentic Zen meditation training. We begin at early dawn to engage in a schedule that includes extended periods of zazen (seated meditation), kinhinn (walking meditation), chanting (liturgy), silent meals, silent work practice and Dharma talks. Sesshin is a unique opportunity to experience "training like a monk while not being a monk," draw from the tremendous strength of people practicing together and experience the deep stillness that lies within each one of us.

"Underneath all we are taught, there is a voice that calls to us beyond what is reasonable,and in listening to that flicker of spirit, we often find deep healing." Central to Authentic Spirituality (Zen) is the teaching that, "We are not who we think we are, or who we think we should be." Therefore the aim and objective of Zen is to "Awaken from a lifetime of Ego-Delusion" to discover who and what we truly are. In discovering our "True-Self" we discover all that we have spent our lifetime seeking to know and understand. This "Discovery" is always with us calling to us waiting for our "Yes". Tonight we make our way down an ancient path home.

Mindfulness and Meditation and washing the dishes, making the bed, doing the laundry go together. They always have gone together. How we hold the mundane speaks loudly about how we hold life. Sen Rikyu taught, "All can find peace in a bowl of tea." If you know how to make and drink a bowl of tea, if you know how to hold the tea bowl in your hands. Tonight we will explore how we can find "our Zen" at home and in the workplace. How we can "Be Home and Awake". If we can learn to appreciate the mundane, to appreciate our life, this is "The True Dharma Eye and Subtle Mind of Nirvana."

Life is always "urgent," we are challenged everyday to meet demands on our time, responsibilities, and the unexpected; and whether we are aware or not, the truth of suffering or discontentment. What might support us to meet the challenge of everyday living? The Three Tenets are powerful skillful means for working with our emotions and meeting daily challenges with all victorious mastery. The Three Tenets are: Not Knowing, Bearing Witness, Compassionate Response

At the moment we fully appreciate the Power of Living Authentically, everything changes and nothing is ever the same again. Opportunities never available to us before become possible. The past, the present, and the future all at once is transformed. We will explore the impact of living as Shakespeare described it "The Life of an Actor" has on our physical, mental, and emotional health, and how we can transform a lifetime of conciliation and return to our hopes and dreams we were meant to realize and enjoy.

Self-confidence is an essential ingredient in living an inspired and effective life. Cultivating confidence in yourself and about your life requires living in harmony with the real nature of life, clarifying what is really important and aligning your daily living activities and choices with what is important including the people, places, and activities which support you. Join Seijaku Roshi & Rabbi Richard Simon as we explore the Dharma of Living Fearlessly.