SEICHU

Traditional Zen monastic practice involves two residential periods of Seichu, Summer and Winter.  Ours is lay practice Seichu,  a personal commitment to  this practice called "Zen."   For different people that may mean different things. 

We invite you to reflect and set goals for yourself.   For ten weeks, each Spring and Fall, participants are invited to make a personal commitment, 1) to practice,  2) to study,  3) to community  (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha).       

SCHEDULE for the current year: 
             SPRING: March 20 to May 25
             FALL: October 2 to December 9 

​PRACTICE 
    The commitment (vow) to practice  establishes a schedule, an intention, for when and where in the course of 10 weeks you will set aside time a space for the practice of zazen (seated meditation) and/or other aspects of practice such as retreat.  Maybe you vow to make a walk in the woods part of your practice. 

STUDY 
    During Seichu, the Zen Center  holds 10 weekly study sessions (Thursdays, 7 to 8:30) with focus on a particular text,     Some sessions will be led by guest teachers joining on Zoom from their home  centers.   Commitment may involve these study sessons and/or other topics of study. 

COMMUNITY 
    People commit to our Zen community by learning and practicing the various roles involved in the Zendo, and/or taking on administrative tasks.  Community includes local towns and their volunteer opportunities.

SHARE YOUR COMMITMENT
    You are invited to write down your commitment (page available here), share your commitment with others, to reflect on how it worked out over ten weeks.  (Sharing session to be scheduled.)  
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