Zen Christian Spirit

An Interfaith Retreat

With Roshi Robert E. Kennedy, SJ

Sunday, August 4 – Friday, August 9, 2024 

Single $650 | Double $600
(includes an ensuite bathroom and all meals from Sunday dinner through Friday breakfast)

Commuters $140 per day*
(includes lunch)

Register for this Offering

*To register as a Commuter, please email Anne Caserta at acaserta@mercybythesea.org

 

 

About this Offering

This is a week-long silent retreat (Zen sesshin) during which participants practice seated meditation (zazen) together—about twelve 25-minute periods per day—as a supportive community, or sangha. Roshi Kennedy and other Zen teachers will provide daily talks (teishos) to share Zen insights and to encourage sitting practice, as well as opportunities to meet privately with them (daisan) throughout the days.

Silence is observed throughout the day, at all times in order to deepen the experience. Following the final sitting each evening, liturgy will be offered for all who wish to participate. This is a warm, wholehearted practice of being with ourselves as we are, with things as they occur. The support of devoted teachers and one another encourages the quieting of our minds, the lessening of struggle, and the movement from self-centeredness to life-centeredness. Through this process we taste the richness of human life and become of true benefit to others and the world.

For those staying onsite, check-in is at 4 p.m. on Sunday August 4th with dinner served at 5:30 p.m.

Check out and departure on Friday, August 9th is at 10 a.m.

About the Presenter

Roshi Robert E. Kennedy, SJ is a Jesuit priest and Zen teacher in the White Plum lineage. He studied with Yamada Roshi in Kamakura, Japan, Maezumi Roshi in Los Angeles, and Glassman Roshi in New York. Glassman Roshi installed Father Robert as Sensei in 1991 and conferred Inka (his final seal of approval) in 1997, making him a Roshi (master). Kennedy Roshi is the author of Zen Gifts to Christians and Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit.