Jewish New Year Interfaith Zen Meditation Retreat

Come celebrate Rosh Hashanah and the Jewish New Year on this contemplative interfaith Zen retreat!

Rosh Hashanah is a holiday of waking up. We awaken from the deep slumber of selfishness, conceit, and putting ourselves above others and awaken to something different. On Rosh Hashanah, the Divine calls out to wake us up from the darkness of ignorance and to open our eyes and hearts to the truth and awe that is always surrounding us and that which also makes up the very fabric of our ordinary life.

On this interfaith Zen retreat, you will be invited to practice at-one-ment with others from all spiritual and religious traditions. Zen meditation is not an escape from life, but a practice of acknowledging life as it is and accepting ourselves and others just as we are. Zen meditation is a practice of meeting God face to face, noticing the sacred and Divine in ourselves, others, and all of creation.

This retreat will include periods of silent sitting and walking meditation, an abbreviated chant style Jewish high holiday service, time for speaking from the heart in hitbodedut, and sacred sharing to close the retreat.

No previous knowledge of Hebrew, Judaism, or meditation is necessary. If you identify as Jewish, a different faith tradition, have more than one faith, or no faith at all, please know that you are welcome! Each and every part of you!

Zazenkai Schedule

9:00am Check in (at the front desk)
10:00am Orientation (Cypress Room)
10:15am Zazen (silent prayer) and Kinhin with Instructions
11:15am High Holiday Dharma Talk and Hitbodedut Instructions
12:00pm Silent Lunch (Willow Dining Room)
12:30pm Hitbodedut (outdoors, weather permitting)
1:30pm Zazen and Chanting Prayer Service
2:30pm Zazen and Kinhin
3:00pm Torah Service
4:00pm Zazen
4:30pm Closing Circle
5:00pm Departure

Terminology

• Dharma Talk: Zen “sermon” by the retreat leader
• Hitbodedut: Talking out loud to God outdoors
• Kinhin: Meditating while walking.
• Torah Service: Communal lectionary readings with time for silent meditation and reflection
• Zazen: Silent meditation done sitting on a meditation cushion, bench or chair
• Zazenkai: A daylong Zen retreat
• Zendo: Meditation room