Many of you know me from my time at Sogenji under Shodo Harada Roshi, or through my Zen Embodiment blog. Since the Pandemic began, many of my blog readers who have asked me questions over the years about internal energetics, tanden, taking the practice off of the cushion, feeling into our process, relating with others, etc requested I teach some classes via Zoom. That initial group blossomed into a wonderful community of International practitioners.
We've done quarterly month-long immersions for the last 4 years and several International In-person retreats with people from very varied practices and traditions, walks of life. This is not a strict Zen group, nor are these Zen retreats. This is more a physical creative happening. In these retreats we all cook together, practice, and there will be plenty of time for discussion.
My work focuses on the energetic, physical felt sense as the gateway into our internal process, rather than focusing on mental understanding alone. I use practices like Zhan Zhuang, Qigong, and Non-Directed Body Movement, plus of course seated meditation to feel into our process. Many of you remember a few of us doing Zhan Zhuang (Post Standing) under Daiko at Sogenji each day, before quickly grabbing a rice ball in the kitchen and heading to the evening zazen. I took that and a few other practices and ran with them, coupled with the laboratory of in-person energetic healing work, and I've been refining this ever since.
My incredible struggles with wild energy, artistic sensibility, and some transformational breakthroughs gave me the ability to help sincere practitioners unseize themselves where they are locked up, or jumpstart their Internal Alchemy. Believe me, I was the worst case, had to find my own way, and so I know that path well.
I feel so blessed to have had the creative space to dive into my own process under the Roshi and continue it in my own way since. It is so humbling and beautiful to work with all of these talented practitioners. After 20 years of standing and slowly maturing on my own, somehow the stars aligned and I have been fortunate to find quite a few receptive people, similar species of animal, to share with and grow together. I have such faith in this process. It has been wonderful to see complete newbies just getting a sense of practice, and legit seasoned practitioners going deeper into their own essence through this work. We have Zen teachers here, meditators from many traditions, qigong teachers, artists, therapists, body workers, dancers, martial artists, coaches, etc.
If you or anyone you know might be interested, please contact us!
Upcoming In-Person Retreats:
Practices wil include Zhan Zhuang, Qigong, Seated Meditation, Non-Directed body Movement. We will have shared meals and plenty of time for discussion. We will also have a special tea time set aside each day for practice discussion.
Participants are encouraged to use the time well, keeping chatting to a minimum until after dinner each day. Also, maybe not exploding with talking after dinner :)
These retreats are not strict zen retreats, but are surprisingly intense and powerful as people are exploring opening up and connecting with the internal energetics.
I like to think of these retreats as one big creative exploration. This group energy and collective focus helps drive this process deeper. Our true nature is calling to us. We are like salmon coming home to spawn. When we can truly feel the universe molding us, in our cells, we’ll begin to gain confidence in letting go into meeting this huge present moment. And this is not just for special people to realize. No one is left out. Everyone is endowed with this bright clear nature.
We’ll cook together and take group walks and have an optional touch aspect to help bring our own internal experience into relating with others.
I feel so blessed to have seen people dramatically change in this group. The in-person retreats are very precious for making the practice real, and making it our own.
Montreal 2024
Check in, June 6th, Check out, June 10th
The point person to contact for this retreat is Timothy: timothy.herzog@gmail.com
Denmark 2024
August 27.-31.
The point person to contact for this retreat is Lisbeth: Anshinshugendo@gmail.com
This retreat will be on the beautiful and tranquil island of Lyø.
Lisbeth will be the host of this retreat. She is ordained in the Shugendo traditional as well as an avid Zen practitioner. We are grateful to her for hosting the European contingent of the Energy Collective this year.
Please Stay in touch for updates! Please let me know if you’d like to invite me to lead a retreat somewhere.
Some New Retreat Possibilities in the Future:
Early 2024: Brazil
Late Summer 2024: Denmark
Possible UK retreat 2024
Autumn 2024: Oregon
Previous Workshops:
Ireland In-Person Retreat, February 2023
Announcing our February 2023 In-Person Qigong, Zhan Zhuang, and Internal Process retreat/gathering!
Spaces are limited.
Dates:
14th February-18th February 2023 Inclusive (Includes Food and lodging)
Practices will include Zhan Zhuang, Qigong, Non-Directed Body Movement, nature walks, seated meditation, discussion time, and an optional body therapy aspect for those interested. We will cook and eat together. There will be designated quiet time and some social time. It will be a chance to saturate ourselves in our internal process with this very supportive and welcoming community.
Asheville, North Carolina Retreat April, 2023
Dates April 27th-May 1st
New York Retreat in the Hudson Valley
New York 2023
Dates: September 29,30th,October 1st, Check-in on the 28th and check out on the 2nd.
