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Practice: Weekly Schedule

Weekly Red Cedar Zen Programs

Noon Program

Wednesday Evening Program

First and Third Saturday Mornings

Weekday Morning Open Sit

Getting started

Newcomers are always welcome, and orientations with senior students are available by request at 6:30pm each Wednesday and at 11:45am before our Monday, Wednesday, and Friday noon sits. Just show up or contact us to arrange an orientation. 4-hour Intro to Zen classes are also offered roughly quarterly, see the events page.

One-on-one practice discussion with our priest and Spiritual Director, Nomon Tim Burnett, as well as lay teachers Yuzan Nancy Welch and Seishu John Wiley is also available. Sign up on the clipboard in the lobby or contact the teacher directly.

Noon Program

We offer meditation to the sangha and the broader community every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at noon. Building opens at 11:45 with a host there to answer questions. Or come use the library. The bell rings to begin a 30-minute period of sitting at 12:10. At 12:40 a brief bowing and chanting service in which we chant the Metta Sutta and a short dedication is given. The program closes at 12:50. If you need to be back to work sooner it is fine to leave at 12:40. Please do not leave during meditation.

Wednesday Evening Program

After two 30-minute periods of zazen, the evenings proceed as follows, but this schedule may differ during our annual Winter Practice Period and during the Spring Seminar.

First Wednesday Evening - Zen Training

Learning the forms and rituals of Zen Buddhism with opportunities to discuss and explore.

Second Wednesday Evening - Dharma Talk

A formal dharma talk is given by our resident priest, Nomon Tim Burnett, or a visiting speaker with authorization to give Dharma talks.

Third Wednesday Evening - Bodhisattva Precepts Ceremony

The Bodhisattva Precepts Ceremony is an ancient ceremony in which we renew our intention to live ethically with kindness and regard for all beings. It is a deep ceremony of return.

Fourth Wednesday Evening - Student Talk

Students prepare a short talk on their practice, which may be linked to a reading, followed by discussion. If you would like to give a talk, please speak with Tim or any Practice Committee member.

Fifth Wednesday Evening - Sangha Conversation

Round "table" discussion of practice and sangha issues with a theme. All are welcome to come and speak or to just listen.

Saturday Morning Program

On the FIRST and THIRD Saturdays of each month we will offer early morning mediation including potluck breakfast. Sitting early in the morning is a powerful part of the Zen tradition and we are happy to be offering it on a regular basis.

SATURDAY MORNING MEDITATION SCHEDULE
6:00am zazen (opening with robe chant, early morning bells, and priest's jundo)
6:25am kinhin
6:35am zazen
7:00am kinhin
7:10am zazen
7:40am service (longer morning service)
8:00am soji (template cleaning) 8:20am potluck breakfast (with oatmeal, coffee and tea provided)
8:50am close (or break if extended program).

SATURDAY MORNING ARRIVAL CHOICES: Please note that this is a flexible schedule. Please avoid entering or leaving the zendo during zazen (sitting meditation). Come at 6am for the entire program or arrive on the half hour for: the second (6:30am) or third (7:00am) zazen period, service (7:30am) or soji and breakfast (8:00am). If zazen in in progress when you arrive just wait in the lobby until you hear the bell then enter quietly and take your place standing before an empty cushion or chair.

SATURDAY MORNING POTLUCK BREAKFAST: A pot of oatmeal, tea and coffee are made that morning at the Dharma Hall for community breakfast. To keep cooking work to a minimum we invite each person coming to bring a small potluck item. Sugggestions: a bowl of nuts, fruit, bread, or anything that can be added to a bowl of oatmeal.

LISTENING FROM THE HEART

Yuzan Nancy Welch facilitates an active listening group following a practice developed by guiding teacher Zoketsu Norman Fischer. The group includes a short period of meditation, practice in active listening to each other and interactive dialogue. There is no charge for this group.

All community members are invited to participate. The group begins at 9:30am on Saturday after our early morning zazen and breakfast program on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month.

For current topic and details contact Nancy at yuzanjii@gmail.com or 671-3992.

Meditation Retreats (sesshin)

Each year we offer opportunities to practice more deeply. There are two to four one-day retreats with our resident priest or visiting teachers, and with our guiding teacher we offer two short meditation retreats (sesshin) at the Dharma Hall and one long retreat at rented facilities on Samish Island in the Skagit Valley. Please see the events page for the current schedule.