Saturday, February 25, 2023

FREE 1-DAY RETREAT: In the Forest (2/26)

Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Jen Bradford, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
What should I wear to a monastery to meditate with American Zen monks and nuns?
Group mindfulness walking meditation at the monastery (Deer Park, California)

This Day of Mindfulness includes practicing walking meditation together, listening to a Dharma talk by Brother Phap Nhi, followed by the practice of formal lunch (free vegan meal).

This in-person event requires advance registration by 8:00 am of the day of the event. Sunday is a sunny break in the snowstorm, so the hills will be covered with glorious powder in a once-in-a-lifetime display of rare California weather. What's left of the super bloom may also be visible along the roadways.

If you need to cancel, please login again and indicate if you are not attending. (There is a limit in the total guests coming from all over the world).

SCHEDULE (rain or shine)

  • 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Gate open to receive registered visitors
  • 9:00 AM – Walking Meditation
  • 10:15 AM – Dharma Talk (translation provided as needed)
  • 12:00 PM – Formal Lunch
  • 2:00 PM – Concludes

POEM by Thich Nhat Hanh

Let's go into the forest to mindfully meditate with the Deer Park monastics near San Diego.


The community of trees —
thousands of bodies
with a human body among them.
Branches and leaves are waving.
Then the call of the creek,
and my eyes open to the sky of the great Mind.
A smile is seen
on every leaf.
The forest is here,
because the city is down there.
But Mind has gone with the trees
and put on a new green dress.
The sunshine is the leaves.
The leaves are the sunshine.
The sunshine is no different from the leaves.
The leaves are no different from the sunshine.
All other forms and sounds
are of the same nature. 

Excerpt from Call Me by My True Names: The Collected Poems by Thich Nhat Hanh

Dress Code
All guests, please observe our dress code: Out of respect for the monastic brothers and sisters in residence, please wear:
  • sleeves that cover the shoulders (short sleeves okay),
  • shirts that cover the midriff, and
  • long pants or long skirts that are loose-fitting and cover the knees at all times.
  • No shorts, tank tops, or tight-fitting clothing.
  • We kindly ask friends to dress modestly for the duration of their time with us and to share this information with anyone attending the event with you.

PRICE: There is no cost for participation in this Day of Mindfulness, but a donation is greatly appreciated to keep the monastery open and able to receive guests. Find donation boxes in the meditation and dining halls or you can donate online.

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