Loading Events

« All Events

  • This event has passed.

Zazenkai Series — Zen Women: Breaking Through in a Gateless World

Saturday, November 8th, 2025
This course is offered in-person & virtually
Register Here

Zen Women: Breaking Through in a Gateless World

In a series of 5 Zazenkai/Daylong Retreats throughout 2025, Valerie presents us with a unique opportunity to experience the insights of ancestors rarely encountered due to the biases of their times. Valerie’s authentic dharma experience is matched by her skill as a scholar as she helps us learn about these historical figures, while helping us touch into their (and our) gateless world.

Our November Zazenkai will be dedicated to the bodhisattva of great compassion, Kannon, Kanzeon, Guanyin, also known as Avalokiteshvara, ‘Hearer of the Cries of the World’ – the one in whom there is not the slightest gap between hearing and what is heard, between seeing and responding. As one chant renders it: boundless compassion.

In keeping with the theme of Zen Women, the talk for the day will turn to Ekan Daishi, mother of Keizan (author of the Denkoroku, dharma grandson to Dogen), whose devotion to Kannon continues to resound to this day in the origins of Soto Zen and in our practice.

Participants in Mountain Cloud’s ‘30 Days of Zen Chants’ program are encouraged to attend. All are welcome!

Please join us for a full day of sitting, either online or in our zendo. Devote the entire day to your practice. If you are new to meditation and have never attended a retreat (single or multi-day), a Zazenkai is an excellent way to immerse yourself in longer periods of silent sitting practice. The day includes both sitting and walking meditation, one or two movement sessions, a Dharma talk from Valerie, and a Q&A session in the afternoon.

Experienced practitioners also benefit from these daylong retreats, as they deepen their practice. This Zazenkai will be available both online and on-site. If you plan to attend in person, please bring your own lunch; tea will be provided. To attend in person, please read and follow our COVID-19 Protocols for MCZC’s current policies on masks, vaccinations, and testing.

Zazenkai is a term used in Zen Buddhism to refer to a day of intensive meditation practice. The word “Zazenkai” is of Japanese origin, where “za” means sitting, and “zenkai” means gathering. During a Zazenkai, participants engage in periods of sitting meditation (zazen), walking meditation (kinhin), and may also include chanting, dharma talks, and other activities related to Zen practice. Zazenkais provide an opportunity for practitioners to deepen their meditation experience and strengthen their commitment to the path of Zen Buddhism. These events can vary in length, with some lasting a full day, as mentioned in your previous messages.

Schedule (Mountain Time)

6:00-8:00am: Sitting
8:45: Movement
9:00am-12:00pm: Sitting and a Dharma talk
12:00pm-1:00pm: Lunch
1:00-3:30pm: Sitting and Q&A

* Note for online participants — the retreat Zoom room will open shortly before 6:00 AM MT. For those who prefer not to or cannot join the 6:00 AM MT start time, you have the option to begin your day with movement at 8:45 AM MT or sitting and a short introduction at 9:00 AM. The dharma talk is scheduled for around 10:00 AM MT. The dharma talk will be recorded and made available on our YouTube Channel within two weeks.

Participation Fee

The cost for the day is $50 or an amount you can reasonably afford. Your support ensures that we can continue to offer free events and low-cost retreats.

Register Here

Zazenkai/Daylong dates in 2025

  1. January 18
  2. February 15
  3. May 3
  4. June 28
  5. July 19
  6. November 8

 

Date
November 8, 2025
Time
6:00 am - 3:30 pm
Event Categories
, ,