Zen Fellowship Virtual Dojo

Continue your Zen practice in this time of physical distancing. The Dust Bowl Dojo meets for group practice via Zoom on the following day and time or for private introductions by appointment:

Saturday Mornings 7:30-9:00 am PT - Zazen and Ceremony.

Visit our website calendar for the Zoom link. We will announce more opportunities soon. For private introductions to practice, contact us with your request.

CSUB Interfaith Fair - 19 February 2020

When and Where

Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM

CSUB Quad

What

The Zen Fellowship will participate in the Second Annual CSUB Interfaith Fair, which offers an opportunity for students and community members on campus to engage in interfaith conversation and dialogue with people from various faiths.

The event is held outdoors in the quad area. Last year, representation from the following faiths participated: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, New Thought, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Baha’i Faith.

Come talk with us and try out Zen meditation!

Zazenkai - 4 April 2020

1 pm - 5 pm

Literally "to come together for meditation," a zazenkai is an opportunity for participants to cultivate Zen practice in their lives.

Included

• Zen instruction
• Zazen (Zen meditation)
• Samu (work practice)
• Yoga
• Talk on a classic Zen text
• Ceremony
• Mondo (question and answer)

Upon conclusion, you may join us for an optional celebratory dinner at one of our excellent downtown Bakersfield restaurants.

Cost

Payable by cash, check, or card the day of the event:

• $45 regular
• $40 member in good standing
• $25 student

Experience

If you are new to Zen practice, we encourage you to reach out to us to receive some instruction and to attend one or more of our weekly sittings before committing to this more intensive retreat.

Zazen can be practiced on a sitting cushion (zafu), small seiza bench, or chair. We have a number of dojo cushions, some seiza benches, and suitable chairs if you need one. If you have a preferred sitting cushion or seiza bench at home, we encourage you to bring it so that we will have enough sitting options to go around.

Reservations

Reservations are required. Confirm here or visit our website and contact the director.

Contact us with any questions. We will be happy to assist further.

Zen Family Practice Day - 20 March 2020

We could all use some Zen in our lives—kids included! Bring family and friends to learn Zen practice together.

Cost is free to public, donations encouraged. All proceeds support the Zen Fellowship in its mission to promote Zen practice in the community.

Please let us know in advance if your child is in the 4-or-under age group to allow us time to schedule our child care provider.

Message with your reservation or any questions. We look forward to practicing with you.

Introduction to Practice - 6 March 2020

Friday, 6 March 2020, 6-8 pm

In this introduction, participants will be introduced to Zen practice, including dojo etiquette, zazen (sitting concentration), kinhin (walking meditation), and traditional chanting of the Heart Sutra in Japanese. Upon completion, participants will be ready to join regular dojo practice.

Refreshments included.

Suggested Donation: $20 (students $10). Reservations required.

Message us for more information and reservations.

Zen Reading Group

Let's relax and have some fun together as we discuss classic Zen texts and stories over tea and coffee. This gathering is held on the second Friday of the month unless otherwise noted on the calendar.

Contact us or read the discussion comments within this Facebook event for the specific text of the evening.

All are welcome! This event is a chance for us, together, to bring our zazen to the rich storehouse of Zen literature.

Evening Zazen Wednesdays

This mid-week practice is set in the evening and includes one sitting, followed by a short dedication. End the workday reconnecting to the here and now.

Time: Wednesdays, 5:15-5:50 pm

Beginners are welcome. Contact us for more details.

For directions to Bakersfield Budo, see out Visit page.