Dogen Zenji, the 13th century founder of the Soto School of Zen Buddhism in Japan, taught that “enlightenment is intimacy with all things.” In this program we will be exploring what intimacy with all things means and how we can apply this teaching in our lives. We’ll use a combination of silent sitting and walking meditation, experiential exercises, partner and group discussions, and dharma talks to look deeply at ways we can become more intimate. Specifically, we will explore intimacy with the body, emotions, thoughts, aging, death, world, and with what one teacher called “the ultimate mystery.” We will seek to create a caring learning community that encourages and supports each participant to bring to greater fruition the human qualities to which they aspire and to celebrate the ordinary magic of our lives.
Program Format: Our time together will include four interrelated activities: silent sitting and walking meditation, experiential exercises, dharma talks with opportunities for discussion, and connecting with dharma friends.
