
URBAN SESSHIN ‘08
MARCH 12-16
Led By
Roshi Enkyo O’hara and Dr Monica Sharma
Manifesting Change through Engaged Zen Practice
This years’ Urban Sesshin brings into focus our interdependence with the many elements that operate in this city where we live.
Using the Zen Peacemaker Order's "Three Pure Precepts" (Not-Knowing, Bearing Witness, and Compassionate Action) as a framework, we will explore the theme of Manifesting Change.
Sometimes those of us who feel great sadness and compassion in our world feel as though there is little we can do to change what we see. Yet each of us has the possibility of initiating and leading profound change within our selves, our communities and globally.
Please join us to engage in a vigorous, shared inquiry into the social issues that affect our world. Through interactive conversation, exercises and contemplation we will begin to identify the individual and collective resources available to help us transform suffering into wisdom and action.
Enkyo Roshi is a Zen Priest and certified Zen Teacher in the Soto tradition. Roshi currently serves as Co-Spiritual Director of the Zen Peacemaker Family, a spiritual, study and social action association. Enkyo Roshi's focus is on true self-expression, peacemaking and social activism. She holds a Ph. D. in Media Ecology and taught Multi-media at New York University for over 20 years.
Dr. Monica Sharma is Director of Leadership and Capacity Development at UN-OHRLLS, which represents the world’s least developed and most isolated nations. A physician and epidemiologist by training, Dr. Sharma has designed and facilitated many effective programs for transformation and leadership in both developing and developed countries.
Village Zendo members: $25/day $70 full retreat
Non-members: $30/day $110 full retreat
TO REGISTER: registrar@villagezendo.org
PRACTICE MANIFESTING CHANGE
Overview:
WEDNESDAY MARCH 12: NOT KNOWING
Workshop
with ROSHI ENKYO & DR. MONICA SHARMA
THURSDAY MARCH 13: BEARING WITNESS TO DEATH AND DYING IN NYC
Field trip to a hospital, hospice and funeral home
FRIDAY MARCH 14: COMPASSIONATE ACTION
Field trip to GOD’S LOVE WE DELIVER
SATURDAY MARCH 15: ALL DAY SIT – Zazenkai Schedule
SUNDAY MARCH 16: SHUSO HOSSEN CEREMONY - Shuso Robert Chodo Campbell
Complete Schedule:
Wednesday, March 12th – NOT KNOWING
7.30 - 8.30 Regular morning schedule
9:00-9.15 Intro to the day
9:15-11.00 Roshi and Monica
Session 1 Discovering my power: being the change I want to see
Issues we deal with: Being attached to my story, letting go of fear, low self-esteem, not enough and yet, search no seer, learning/knowledge vs. wisdom, teacher has the answers, rivalry – not enough love to go around
Exercises: - Soul Profile
Event/Interpretation
My stand
Silent break
12.30 - 1.00 Zazen
1.00 - 2.00 Lunch Break
2.00 - 4.50 Roshi and Monica
Session 2: Uncovering interdependent patterns: new pathways for action
We will use the full spectrum lens to address 2 issues close to our heart. We will discover new pathways for engaged action, seeing our contribution to global challenges.
4.50 - 5.10 Film: Story of Stuff
5.10 - 6.10 Dinner Break
Regular evening schedule
Thursday, March 13th -- BEARING WITNESS
7.30 - 8.30 Regular morning schedule
9.00 - 9.15 Intro to the day
9.15 - 10.20 Roshi and Monica
Session 3: Leadership distinctions for generating and sustaining inspired action.
Issues we deal with: ostrich/not hiding, willingness, woundedness/healing, overwhelm, scarcity
Exercise: - Listening and Background Conversations
10.30 Leave Zendo for Beth Israel Hospital
11.00 – 11:45 Beth Israel Hospital: Dying in the Hospital: A talk with Rabbi Nathan Goldberg
12.00 Lunch - Beth Israel Cafe
12.45 - 1.30 visit Jacob Perlow Hospice
1.45 Leave for Gramercy Memorial Chapel
2.00 - 2.45 Gramercy Memorial Chapel: with Funeral Director, John Quhn
2.45 Leave for Zendo
3.00 - 3.30 Zazen
3.30 – 4.45 Processing with Roshi and Monica
We will process our experience, distinguishing our stories and fears
4.45 - 5.05 Film: Everyday Creativity
5.05 - 6.15 Break
6.15 Regular evening schedule
Friday, March 14th -- COMPASSIONATE ACTION
7.30 - 8.30 Regular morning schedule
9.00 - 12.00 Gods Love We Deliver
12.00 Lunch
1.30-2.00 Zazen
2.00 -3.30 Roshi and Monica
Session 4: Leadership distinctions for generating and sustaining inspired action.
Exercises - Unpacking food issues in New York City
Responsibility
Generating partnerships through enrollment / Likert / Emberling
3.30-3.45 Silent Break
3.45 -5.15 Roshi and Monica
Session 5: Next steps: Being the change I want to see – the power of declaration
Exercises: Conversations for completion
5.15 - 6.15 Dinner Break
6.15 Regular evening schedule