NON – DUAL WISDOM
February 22 – 27, 2011
Led by Senior Dharma Teacher,
Tenshin Reb Anderson Roshi
The Wonderous Function of Non–Dual Wisdom: Zen meditation is to sit quietly in the
stillness of our true nature. Whole-heartedly exploring this territory, whole-heartedly being
oneself,
is to enter the wondrous function of Non–Dual Wisdom. This retreat is offered to explore and realize the Way of wisdom, the Way of Zen.
The retreat is appropriate for beginning and experienced meditators. It will begin with a dharma talk on Tuesday evening at 7:30 pm.
Please arrive at the retreat center after dinner on Tuesday, by 6:30 pm in order to settle into your room and have a tour of the grounds.
The retreat will be held at Lotus Lake Zen Center in Magnolia, TX, 45 minutes north of Houston. There are comfortable sleeping quarters; please bring your own linens and toiletries. Detailed information will be provided with your confirmation letter after registration, but further information can be obtained from our Ino by emailing ino@houstonzen.org.
Weekend Retreatants: Please arrive before dinner on Friday, by 6 pm to receive an orientation.
The retreat will end on Sunday at 3 pm.
Five Day Retreat: February 22–27, 2011
$425; $325 for members of HZC
Weekend Retreat: February 25–27, 2011
Weekend: $280; $200 for members of HZC
Download the registration form in pdf format
BEING: YOURSELF
March 25–27, 2011
A Weekend of Mind/Body Study
Friday March 25 6:30 pm
Discussion
Saturday March 26
Dharma Talk and Qigong
Sunday March 27 8:30–4:30 pm
Body and Mind Study of the Way
Robert Rosenbaum, a Zen teacher entrusted by Sojun Weitsman, Roshi, and a longtime therapist, comes to Houston Zen Center to lead a series of events centering around the practice of the mind and body.
Each of us is ourselves every moment, but we often feel we need to make something of ourselves. What I see as one of the primary illnesses of our society is an excessive focus on productivity. This invades all aspects of our life and can appear as trying too hard in Zen practice, pushing to learn qigong too quickly, utilizing too many techniques in psychotherapy as a substitute for simple presence, trying to be the perfect parent/spouse/worker to the point where if we don't produce we're worthless.
Of course, we do need to make something of ourselves, but the kind of effortless effort of practice is unfamiliar to most of us. To explore this theme, gently and conscientiously, we will spend the morning returning to basics, including: minding mind and minding body; standing, breathing, sitting, meeting each other, sitting meditation, walking meditation, qigong exercises. After lunch we will continue our study of body/mind, incorporating an important Zen text, Being Time, by Zen Master Dogen.
Robert Rosenbaum, Ph.D. has 30 years experience as a neuropsychologist, psychotherapist, and
behavioral medicine specialist. He has also received lay entrustment as a Zen teacher from Sojun Mel
Weitsman of Berkeley Zen Center, and is authorized as a senior teacher of Dayan (Wild Goose) Qigong in the
lineage of Yang Meijun by Master Hui Liu of the Wen Wu School.
As a psychologist he has been Chief Psychologist at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center; a
Fulbright Professor at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in India; director of
the doctoral training program at the California Institute of Integral Studies. He introduced qigong practice
to Kaiser Permanente's health education program, and it has spread throughout northern California clinics; he
also developed a mindfulness-based chronic pain management program and supervised neuropsychological services.
He is the author of numerous journal articles, book chapters, and the book Zen and the Heart of Psychotherapy
and is currently completing a book on the Tao Te Ching titled Being: Yourself. He is the father of two grown
daughters and is still adjusting to the recent marriage of one and the completion of graduate school by the other.
Whenever he can, he spends several months each year hiking in the Sierras and trekking high in the Himalayas of
India and Nepal.
All events are open to beginning and experienced therapists, caregivers, Zen and Qigong practitioners. Pre–registration is required for the Sunday retreat.
Cost is $80 for the Sunday retreat, $35 for members of HZC. Register by phone 713-869-1952, or in person at HZC.
Pay online with our PayPal account.
EMBRACING ZEN FORMS
Jan. 10–Feb. 14, 2011
6 Mondays
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Taught by Isshin Glen Snyder
and HZC Members
Isshin Glen Snyder, the Ino, or Head of the Meditation Hall, leads a series of classes that
explore the forms of Zen practice. Each class is devoted to a particular activity (form), and is co–led by another Zen practitioner.
The classes are hands–on and aimed at enriching everyone's understanding and practice.
Open to beginners as well as advanced practitioners. Each class begins with 20 minutes of meditation.
- First Week: Temple Etiquette
- Second Week: Drums, Bells and Clackers
- Third Week: Chants used in daily service and in ceremonies
- Fourth Week: Dharanis and Sino–Japanese Chants
- Fifth Week: Chanting longer sutras and Buddhist texts
- Sixth Week: Serving and receiving food using formal eating bowls (oryoki)
Everyone is welcome to participate in this class series.
Cost is $60 for the 6 week series, $25 for members of HZC. Register by phone 713-869-1952, or in person at HZC.
Pay online with our PayPal account.
OPENING THE HAND OF THOUGHT
Mar. 1–Apr. 5, 2011
6 Tuesdays
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Taught by Mike Keller and
Tricia McFarlin
Designed for those who have taken the Introduction to Meditation series of courses and other practitioners, this class
is centered around Kosho Uchiyama's Opening the Hand of Thought, a detailed and comprehensive exposition of zazen and the Buddha Way.
Lectures and discussion enrich every practitioner's experience with the text.
Uchiyama's book, a very personal and insightful exploration, covers such themes as the relation between personal self and universal self,
interdependence, the technique of zazen and the role of zazen in our lives, the equality of practice and enlightenment, and the meaning of
the famous Zen expression dropping off body and mind. Discussion is welcome and encouraged.
Mike Keller is a long time practitioner of Meditation and a senior practitioner at Houston Zen Center. His experience includes
practice at Zen monasteries as well as extensive study in Sufism.
Tricia McFarlin is a member of the Board of Directors of HZC, the Membership Secretary of HZC, and holds a doctorate in English
Literature. She teaches American and World literature courses at St. Agnes Academy.
Everyone is welcome to participate in this class series.
Cost is $60 for the 6 week series, $25 for members of HZC. Register by phone 713-869-1952, or in person at HZC.
Pay online with our PayPal account.
please come to our Wednesday introduction. We offer a one-hour introduction on the first Wednesday of each month, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
There is no charge and everyone is welcome. 
Each class includes a brief
period of meditation, beginning with 10 minutes and working up to 30 minutes at the end of the series. The course is
designed to provide a basis of practice and to de–mystify meditation.