Please find our 2018 retreat schedule below. All day long retreats at the church are free with a recommended donation of $25 to the First Unitarian Church of Wilmington.
Why should I attend a retreat? A retreat is an opportunity to immerse ourselves in practice. Spending a day or weekend together in presence cultivates the wisdom of just being. We are experiencing our true selves free of ideas that needlessly complicate our lives and the lives of those at home, work, etc. Retreat is therefore an opportunity for experiencing deeply what the great Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki in his classic book, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, wonderfully described as our "beginner's mind":
"In the beginner's mind there is no thought, "I have attained something." All self-centered thoughts limit our vast mind. When we have no thought of achievement, no thought of self, we are true beginners. Then we can really learn something. The beginner's mind is the mind of compassion. . . There is no need to have a deep understanding of Zen. Even though you read much Zen literature, you must read each sentence with a fresh mind. You should not say, "I know what Zen is," or "I have attained enlightenment." This is also the real secret of the arts: always be a beginner. Be very very careful about this point. If you start to practice zazen, you will begin to appreciate your beginner's mind. It is the secret of Zen practice."
We invite you to come and find out for yourself!
Our retreats are a wonderful day of being together in silence and peace. Through our meditation practice forms, we cultivate a spacious environment for opening to ourselves and each other. Our practice leads to a more harmonious lifestyle, one that is deeply in touch with a world that is always in flux. Just being leads to less stress, personal growth, and healing. At the retreat, we serve a delicious vegetarian potluck lunch where all sangha members are invited to contribute a vegetarian dish of their choice. All are welcome regardless of experience. The retreat will be held in the Brunner Chapel from 9am-3pm and a $25 donation is suggested (Cash or check made payable to First Unitarian Church of Wilmington). If you plan to attend, please send an email to openheartzen@gmail.com
Why should I attend a retreat? A retreat is an opportunity to immerse ourselves in practice. Spending a day or weekend together in presence cultivates the wisdom of just being. We are experiencing our true selves free of ideas that needlessly complicate our lives and the lives of those at home, work, etc. Retreat is therefore an opportunity for experiencing deeply what the great Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki in his classic book, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, wonderfully described as our "beginner's mind":
"In the beginner's mind there is no thought, "I have attained something." All self-centered thoughts limit our vast mind. When we have no thought of achievement, no thought of self, we are true beginners. Then we can really learn something. The beginner's mind is the mind of compassion. . . There is no need to have a deep understanding of Zen. Even though you read much Zen literature, you must read each sentence with a fresh mind. You should not say, "I know what Zen is," or "I have attained enlightenment." This is also the real secret of the arts: always be a beginner. Be very very careful about this point. If you start to practice zazen, you will begin to appreciate your beginner's mind. It is the secret of Zen practice."
We invite you to come and find out for yourself!
Our retreats are a wonderful day of being together in silence and peace. Through our meditation practice forms, we cultivate a spacious environment for opening to ourselves and each other. Our practice leads to a more harmonious lifestyle, one that is deeply in touch with a world that is always in flux. Just being leads to less stress, personal growth, and healing. At the retreat, we serve a delicious vegetarian potluck lunch where all sangha members are invited to contribute a vegetarian dish of their choice. All are welcome regardless of experience. The retreat will be held in the Brunner Chapel from 9am-3pm and a $25 donation is suggested (Cash or check made payable to First Unitarian Church of Wilmington). If you plan to attend, please send an email to openheartzen@gmail.com
2019 Saturday One Day Retreats
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Saturday, May 18, 2019
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Saturday, May 18, 2019
Saturday, September 14, 2019
Saturday, November 2, 2019