Living Zen is a project of Tenryu Jokai Blackwell offering regular dharma talks via podcast, writings and news of upcoming events.
Dharma Talk Podcasts
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Trust Your Heart
Return to What is Most Vital
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The Heart of the Matter
From the Summer 2023 Beginner’s Mind Sesshin at Yokoji Zen Mountain Center
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This Mysterious Life
From Beginner’s Mind Sesshin, January 2023
Upcoming Events
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ICD Tuesday Night – Meditation as Refuge
Meditation as Refuge extends a weekly invitation to everyone who would like to explore meditation as a support for their spiritual development. The intention is to focus on realizing our innate capacity for care, compassion and mutual respect. This event welcomes everyone, beginning meditators and experienced practitioners alike.
Cost: Donation basis, there is no charge to participate. ICD center and teachers are supported by your generosity. Please give from your ability and heart.
To join via Zoom click here.
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The Heart of Zen Practice
Zazen Meditation Fundamentals
About this Class
This online morning retreat will focus on the art of zazen, (zen meditation). We will explore breathing techniques, and the objectless approach of shikantaza (whole-hearted just sitting). There will be time for meditation, two dharma talks, and group discussion.
Zen meditation, or zazen, involves cultivating awareness and presence through focused sitting. Utilizing effective posture and concentrated breathing techniques, we manifest awakening. Shikantaza, or “just sitting,” invites an open and non-judgmental awareness of the present experience. Rather than fixating on thoughts, sensations, or distractions, we allow and observe whatever seems to arise and pass, returning to our natural reflective state of simple being. Zen meditation nurtures clarity, equanimity, and a deepening connection to the unfolding of this life, just as it is.
Schedule
9:30AM – Welcome and Introductions
9:35AM – Meditation with Guidance
10:00AM – Dharma Talk with Q&A
10:45AM – Zen Meditation
11:10AM – Stretch break
11:15AM – Dharma Talk with Q&A
12:00PM – Metta Chant and ClosingCost
The class is being offered for $35. For LBM Sustaining Members, we are offering the class at a discounted rate of $25.
If you cannot afford the full fee, choose “Reduced Fee” on the registration form below and please let us know in the comments field what you can afford. Volunteers at our events are always appreciated.
If you can contribute additional funds, your contributions help keep our services available, compensate teachers and staff, and make classes available for those who cannot afford them.
How to Join the Retreat
Please see Long Beach Meditation’s event page to register.
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Dharma Conversations
First Tuesday of Every Month
How are things working out (and not working out) with our Dharma practice? Let’s talk about it! Dharma Conversations is held on the first Tuesday of each month. We begin with a short meditation, after which the meeting will be opened to all for discussion. Questions about the Dharma and our meditation practice may be submitted ahead of time, or addressed as they come up in the meeting.
This is an opportunity to share our unique experience and the questions that naturally arise from navigating the often difficult and subtle Dharma path. Suitable both for beginners and those with more experience, this class is an opportunity to learn from a Dharma Teacher with more than 25 years of experience, in an informal and supportive setting.
Registration
Please see Long Beach Meditation’s event page to register.