Deming Zen Center

All are cordially invited to participate in our first formal retreat.

Deming Zen Group will host a one-day meditation retreat on Saturday, July 18.  The retreat will take place from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the St. Augustine Anglican Church, 521 S. 8th Street, here in Deming.

When the Buddha lay dying, he told visitors,"Life is very short.  Please investigate it closely."  A retreat is an opportunity to look closely at one's life over a period of hours.  We practice sitting and walking meditation, and we keep silence while walking, sitting, eating together, taking a break, sweeping or cleaning, for each and every moment.

If you are new to meditation, we recommend attending a regular sitting of the group first and getting meditation instruction.  If this is not possible, you are certainly welcome to the full day's retreat.  Please plan on attending an 8:30 AM meditation instruction for beginners when you sign up. 

Registration for the retreat is required so that we can plan accordingly.  Traditional meditation cushions (zafus and zabutons) will be available at the retreat, and so will chairs.  A vegetarian lunch will be served, and we will eat together informally (but keeping silence).

During afternoon meditation practice, there will be optional consulting interviews with the leader of Deming Zen Group.  Consulting interviews are an opportunity to talk with a senior student about your practice and its application to your life.  There will be no koan practice during these interviews.  The consult is strongly recommended but not required.

A donation is required so that we may give something to the church that is hosting us and defray the expenses of the retreat.  The suggested donation is $25, but please give what you can and if times are tight, please don't let money be a barrier -- come and sit. 

Here is the retreat schedule, subject to change:

8:30 AM - Meditation instruction for beginners

9:00 AM - Retreat orientation for all participants

9:30 AM - Sitting and walking meditation

12:00 PM - Lunch

12:45 - Dharma Talk

1:00 - Sitting and walking meditation, with consulting interviews

3:30 - Chanting

3:40 - Circle Talk

NOTE: Throughout the day, we will maintain silence, including lunch and break time.

To ask questions or to sign up (seating is limited!), please click on "Contact Us" above.  We hope to see you on July 18!