2020 Events

Dear Oxbow Zen Community:

Happy New Year 2020! Just a quick note about upcoming events!

Zazen:  This coming Sunday, Feb 2, we’ll meet at 8:05 AM as usual to set up our Zendo space at the Friends Meeting House for community Zazen.

Study:  After the sit, from 9:45-11:30 you’re invited to Magna House (#201) for our monthly Zen Study with coffee, snacks, and fellowship (https://oxbowzen.org/study-group/).  We’ll be discussing the connection to our lives of the reading on “Zhaozhou” in Janet Abels’ book “Making Zen Your Own.”   All are invited to share their experience with the reading!

Day-long sit (Zazenkai):  Mark your calendars for the Saturday March 21 all-day sit with Ryotan Sensei from the Village Zendo.  Many thanks to Shokai and Mark for hosting the Sangha in their beautiful home in Southampton!

Happy to be practicing with all of you!
Kenko.

Image of snow couple on Paradise Pond
Winter on Paradise Pond

Three bows! October Zazenkai

Many thanks to all the many hands that made this past Saturday’s Zazenkai with Ryotan Sensei such a deep shared experience!   It was a brilliant, sunny, and colorful fall day!  Delicious food!  Deep practice!  
Special thanks to Ryotan Sensei: for making the trip once again; for an inspiring Dharma talk; and for his teachings in private interview and in just being Ryo.  And for reminding us that, with Soshin Hoshi, we now have a teacher right here!
And heartfelt gratitude to Shokai and Mark for transforming their beautiful home into a Zen temple!
Three bows to all!
Kenko.

Group photo at the end of the Zazenkai

Zazenkai Registration

[Online registration is now closed and the button has been removed from this post.]

If you haven’t had a chance to sign up for the Oct 26 Zazenkai with Ryotan Sensei, you can do so now at the “SIGN UP!” button below. You will be connected to an online form at signupgenius.com where you can indicate what food you plan to bring, and which service positions–if any–you’re interested in taking on (in the comment section).

Mark your Calendars: Zazenkai on October 26

Mark your calendars! We are excited that Ryotan Sensei will be available for our Fall Zazenkai on Saturday October 26 2019. It will be a full day of practice, including Zazen, chanting service, shared oryoki meals, and an opportunity for private interview with a teacher.

As we are looking toward October, who is planning on participating in the October Zazenkai on Saturday Oct 26 2019? Contact us soon via email if you’re interested in participating.

If there is a particular service position you would like to practice at the Zazenkai, please indicate your wish. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to be in touch with me at oxbowzensangha@gmail.com

Looking forward to practicing with you,
Kenko.

Zazenkai with Ryotan Sensei Sep 30 2017

Nor’easter Rain Fall Zazenkai

Zazenkai Impressions
Impressions from the Fall Zazenkai

Dear Oxbow Zen Sangha:

Stormy wind, sheets of rain, dark and drifting clouds, deep community practice.  Warm thanks for everybody’s practice effort and giving hands at the October Zazenkai today.  Deep gratitude to Ryotan Sensei for sharing the teaching so freely and generously!   Three bows!

Zazenkai Photo Oct 2018
Conclusion of the day-long sit with Ryotan Sensei, Oct 27, 2018.

Zazenkai Oct 27: Registration Open

Dear local Oxbow Zen Sangha and friends:

Registration is now open online for the

Oxbow Zen Fall Zazenkai at
Shokai’s and Mark’s house
on Saturday Oct 27 2018,
from 8 AM – 4:30 PM

at

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0c4babab29a0fb6-zazenkai1

Ryotan Sensei from the Village Zendo will be joining us for the day, offering private interviews and a Dharma talk.

The registration also provides an opportunity for you to sign up for a particular item for potluck lunch. Please choose one that you’d be happy to bring! 

Looking forward to practicing with you!

Kenko.

Thank you: March Zazenkai

2018 Zazenkai Group Photo
March 2018 Zazenkai with Ryotan Sensei

Dear Oxbow Zen Sangha:

Settling into deep stillness and silence together, sharing potluck oryoki, experiencing the shifting light of the weather and the mind, deep teachings.  Special thanks to all those who braved storm and snow and rain and other hindrances to be part of the March Zazenkai.  Deep gratitude to Ryotan Sensei for his teaching!

 

Zazenkai w/ Ryotan Sensei

Zazenkai with Ryotan Sensei Sep 30 2017

Dear Oxbow Zen Sangha:

We’re excited to announce the dates for a

Spring Zazenkai with
Ryotan Sensei on
Saturday March 3 from
8 AM – 4 PM

at Shokai and Mark’s house in Southampton. Please mark your calendars!

All are welcome to gather for a day of deep practice.

Watch the email list for more information regarding the potluck sign-up and other logistics in early February.

Falling Leaf Zazenkai 2017

Zazenkai with Ryotan Sensei Sep 30 2017

At the Sep 30 Zazenkai, Ryotan Sensei invoked Ryokan’s poem

Maple leaf
Falling down
Showing front
Showing back

as an invitation to look deeply into this mind.

Three full bows in gratitude to Ryotan Sensei for making the trip to share the teaching with the Oxbow Zen Sangha!

And, as always, many thanks to the many hands that create and maintain the container in which we can settle deeply into whole-hearted practice.  Very special thanks to Shokai and Mark for their hospitality!