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Saturday, February 9
1 - 4:30 pm
with
Issho Fujita Buddha Hall at 300 Page Street How can we allow our zazen to bloom freely?
Sometimes we associate zazen with imposing a rigid form on our unruly bodymind. In the midst of this struggle, we might congratulate ourselves—”I’m making an effort!”—but this is a misplaced effort. Dogen recommends that we practice zazen not through simply following a set of one-sided instructions, but rather through opening to a flexible, spontaneous process, a reciprocal flow of sensation and awareness.
The Buddha did not follow a ready-made zazen manual when he sat under the bodhi tree. He engaged in an ongoing, whole-hearted inquiry into being present in/with this world. This requires a deep relaxation supported by solid groundedness.
Through lecture, discussion, somatic exercises and zazen, we will learn together in this workshop how to find a pathway to allow zazen to blossom beautifully from the inside out.
No previous experience is required but strong motivation of self-inquiry is requested.
Fee: $40; $36 current SFZC members; $32 limited income. Some scholarships are available; see
About Registration, Scholarships, and Cancellations. No one turned away for lack of funds.
To Register: Use the Ticket Table below. Or call our toll free number 888.743.9362 or our local number 415.475.9362.
Issho Fujita
Issho Fujita was born in Japan in 1954. He studied developmental/clinical psychology at Tokyo University. When he was a PhD student, at the age of 27, he attended a week-long Zen sesshin at Enkaku-ji, a traditional Rinzai monastery in Kamakura. Eventually he dropped out of graduate school to study Zen full time and entered Antai-ji, a Soto Zen monastery. In 2010, he was assigned to be Director of Soto Zen Buddhism International Center in San Francisco. Issho is interested in inventing new and fun ways to articulate the depth of the simple practice of shikantaza (just sitting).