Fall Practice Period 2025

September 24th - November 23rd

An invitation from Nomon Tim:

Dear Sangha, 

Coming together each year for Practice Period is such a powerful (and sweet) opportunity for us to practice more deeply and wholeheartedly each year. Our practice is continuous and ongoing and a periodic "boost" is a help. I love how the Shuso (Head Student) in the middle serves as a kind of "hub" for the sangha wheel - inspiring us with their practice and leadership and also bringing us together. The Shuso supports us and we support the Shuso and each other creating a web of mutual support. We also continue to find that pairing up with a Practice Period partner is a huge support for making full use of the opportunity Practice Period affords. And I also always remind myself to be realistic and gentle - you can't do everything, but often you can immerse more deeply in practice than you quite realized! I hope you'll join us for this. year's practice period. Coming together with care, focus, and commitment we change each other and are changed by our practice in the world.

Gasshō,
Nomon Tim

Background

Practice Period is a time in which Zen students practice intensively together. Historically, practice period started with the rains retreats of the early Buddhist nuns and monks when they could not travel due to heavy rains. During that time they settled down for more intensive practice. 

Although we don't live in monasteries, each winter in the spirit of those in monastic practice we settle our busy lives in order to intensify our practice. We bring our mindfulness and Dharma practice to the foreground of our lives more than usual. Annual practice periods have been an essential part of Zen practice for a thousand years and an important part of Red Cedar Zen for over 20 years. 

How you can participate

Practice: Come to the Practice Period events, perhaps increase your attendance at our regular weekly practices, and consider (as the Practice Period unfolds) what changes you might make to your home practice and study.

Learn: Take one or both of the Practice Period classes (see below).

Practice Period Partner: You can have a partner to connect regularly with to support your practice and study during Practice Period. Find your own partner before you register or request a partner assignment during Practice Period registration.

Re-examine your on-going commitment to the sangha: In the coming year, is it right for you to increase/decrease how often you join us for practice, how much you volunteer your time and talents, how much you can contribute financially to the sangha's ability to operate? If you have questions or need help with any of these, email membership-chair@redcedarzen.org.

Register Now for the Practice Period

Shuso

In the center of the mandala of Practice Period is the head student, or shuso, who provides classes, Dharma talks, and meetings in small groups with practice period participants over literal or figurative tea.

This year's Shuso (head student) is Junka Ken Oates.