Fall Practice Period starts with Head Student entering ceremony at 10am CDT on September 8, 2024. You can register to take part in the Fall Appamada practice period at:
https://syverson.wufoo.com/forms/qjcjxew13wmds5
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Sangha,
During the Buddha’s time, disciples gathered during the rainy season, which lasted about three months, to hear the Buddha’s most profound teachings and to practice deeply together. This model of shared practice and deep inquiry for a concentrated period has been conveyed generation after generation by Buddhist practitioners down to our time. In the Zen tradition an Ango, or Practice Period has been a special time in the life of a monastery in which the monks intensified their ordinary schedule with a very focused 100-day commitment to deepening their practice and training. Appointed during this time is a Shuso, or Head Student Rosemarie Gates, who serves as a spiritual friend to the other monks and assists the Head Teacher in his or her duties. The Ango has a formal beginning at which time the monastery is closed to outsiders and ends with a ceremony in which the Shuso engages in a formal offering of his or her teachings to the assembly.
Today, in non-residential practice centers such as Appamada, a Practice Period offers an excellent opportunity for beginning and more experienced Zen practitioners to join together in an intense period of warm-hearted practice, including zazen, dharma talks, classes, work, and close contact with the teachers as well as the Head Student. A Practice Period can offer guidance and encouragement to each participant in developing and deepening his or her regular sitting practice and encourages a daily routine that integrates mindfulness into daily life.
Appamada's 2024 Fall practice period will start with an intensive led by Robin Bradford and Sandra Medina Bocangel, which will begin the evening of Sept. 5, includes sitting on Friday Sept. 6 and Saturday, Sept. 7th. On the morning of Sunday, Sept. 8th will be a special Head Student Entry ceremony starting at 10 a.m.. (You don't need to participate in the intensive to join in the Head Student Entry Ceremony—all are welcome and encouraged to attend.)
It is here that you can define how you might further your practice, including linking up with a practice buddy to encourage one another’s practice.
The Sept. 5 – 7 intensive will introduce the focus for the entire practice period, drawing on the Hsin Hsin Ming, one of the most important poems for Mahayana practitioners.
The practice period will end with a Rohatsu intensive Dec. 2 – 8. The weekend of the intensive will culminate with a Head Student Exit ceremony -- one of the most moving in the Zen tradition. More details on this event, as well as registration information, will be shared.
In between, Peg Syverson will lead the Oct. 27 – Nov. 2 Appamada Integrated Intensive. More about the intensive will be available soon.
We hope you are well and will join us in this shared practice together!
Warmly,
Todd, Laurie and JoelDescription text goes here