The 10th Anniversary Retreat and Conference was a time for our diverse and widespread sangha to come together to reflect on our Soto Zen practice. We will also shared and discussed our collective challenges during the difficult pandemic times and the best way to skillfully move forward and continue to help all beings.The retreat incorporated the STO Annual Conference on October 3. The annual meeting of the Silent Thunder Order Board of Directors for 2020 focused on continuing implementation of our five-year strategic plan covering 2018-2023. The plan provides guidelines for how we will move forward in sharing the Dharma for future generations. We invite you watch the recorded speakers as they speak on Zen practice and how best to continue and support our practice in trying times.
For additional information contact Zenku at storderinfo@gmail.com.
Speakers & Topics
Several members of the Silent Thunder Order will be spoke on a variety of topics related to Zen practice, philosophy, and our retreat theme of “Zen Practice in Challenging Times”. Scheduled speakers and topics are listed below. Click on the speaker’s name to review their profiles.
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020 7 PM EST
Zenku Sensei, Jerry Smyers
Welcome and opening retreat Dharma Talk
“Sangha Voices Coming Together”
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020 – 10:30 AM EST
So Sei Getsu Roger Cochran
“How are Practice Groups Coping”
What are the various Practice Groups doing to serve members or be open to new participants during this time of COVID. This is an invitation to share what is working, why it seems to work in the Practice Groups community AND to share what is not working and why it does not seem to work.
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020 – 2:30 PM EST
Myosho Nancy Blanton
“Chanting the Dharma”
Exploring Zen chanting as a contemplative practice
Biography:
Bio: Nancy, Myosho, In 1986 first developed an awareness a of the need for daily meditation practice and study. Since then she
has practiced and trained in multiple traditions making the decision to devote her studies to Buddhism in 2009. After meeting
Sensei Elliston in 2018, Myosho dedicated her studies entirely to Zen.
For Myosho, chanting is a core element of Buddhist teachings, it is an experiential or non-conceptual means to living Buddhism. The
Zen chants in particular are clear profound Dharma entrance. Myosho is a retired, clinical social worker. Her specialty was, and
remains, methods of therapeutic treatment for persons afflicted with mental illness. Her greatest joys in work, included: teaching
professionals and developing mindfulness and meditation practices which improve the functional quality of life for persons
affected by mental illness.
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020 – 7 PM EST
Reiun Sanki Harold Schlechtweg
“Finding our Way in an Interdependent World”
Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 – 7 PM EST
Kanzan, John Slattery
“Faith in Zazen: Ceaseless Practice, Endless Spring”
CLICK HERE for talk reference documents. Dogen’s Fukanzazengi (page 29) and Genjōkōan (pages 35 – 39).
Friday, Oct. 2, 2020 – 10:30 AM EST
Mokuo, Nancy Sherwood
“My Journey in Becoming a Disciple”
Biography- Mokuo Nancy Sherwood: Mokuo taught Special Education in San Francisco, Boston, and in a residential school on Cape Cod for many years. She was introduced to her Zen practice in 2015 at the Falmouth Soto Zen Center in Falmouth, Massachusetts under the leadership of Sensei Sangaku Dan Joslyn. In 2017 Mokuo took Jukai in the Falmouth Sangha from Hojo Elliston and Sensei Joslyn. Mokuo presently serves as Tenso for the Sangha and participates in outreach by teaching meditation to persons in alcohol and drug treatment centers. Having asked to be a disciple, she will complete her training in November.
CLICK HERE for Mokuo Book’s list from her talk.
Friday, Oct. 2, 2020 – 2:30 PM EST
Fusatsu Apriel JessupSearcy
“The World As Your Sangha”
Utilizing technology, media, and other tools to support Zen practice in the midst of the pandemic and beyond.
Biography: Fusatsu Apriel JessupSearcy took Jukai with Sensei Micheal Elliston in 2018. She had been practicing within a Tibetan sangha for 12 years prior to joining the Atlanta Soto Zen sangha. Fusatsu has been a nurse for 23 years and furthered her education in health information technology in 2005. She has been a spiritual seeker all of her life and found that Buddhism resonated with her on path/life more closely than the other religion. She started on her Buddhist path in 2005. She continues to explore, learn, and practice in service to the sangha. She currently leads the ASZC/STO Communications & Technology team loving known as the “Zen Geek Squad“. She lives in Conyers, a suburb of Atlanta, Ga. with her wife, Phenix of 18 years and their dog and cats.
Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020 – 12 PM EST
Chishiki Bryan Price
“Not Us, Not Them: Changing Our Minds About Groups”
Our thinking (and speaking) about groups creates separation and suffering. Current events “out there” bring this into sharp focus. Broadening our awareness and attention to how we think about groups transforms our relationship to “self” and “other.” Expect a lively Q&A.
A recording of this talk is now available, click here.
This talk was so popular, an extended version of this talk was given the following week, which is available here.
Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020 – 7 PM EST
Taiun Roshi, Michael Elliston
“Practicing in the Four Spheres and Three Times”
A recording of this talk is now available, click here
Supporting Talk Documents
Click Here for Concentric Circle Articles document
Click Here Concentric Zen document
Click Here Zen Concentric Interface document
Click Here Expanded Concentric document
Sunday, October 4, 2020 Discussion Panelists
Taiun Roshi will be the Panel Discussion Host
Dokusan
Dokusan is a one-to-one interview with a Zen Priest. Our STO Teachers will be offering Dokusan during meditation periods throughout the retreat. This is a great opportunity to ask questions about your personal practice.
Schedule
The entire retreat and conference will be held on Zoom. Tuesday through Sunday are retreat days and on Saturday we will also hold our 10th anniversary conference. You are welcome to join any session that is convenient for you or stay for the duration of the retreat and conference.
If you are new to zen and you are looking to meditate with us, please check out the link below for instructions on sitting Zazen.
Daily Sponsoring Silent Thunder Order Affiliate
Tuesday/Wednesday Mission Mountain Zen Sangha Virtual Host
Thursday Atlantic Zen Sangha Virtual Host
Friday Falmouth Zen Sangha Virtual Host
Saturday/Sunday Atlanta Soto Zen Center
Daily Retreat Schedule (Tuesday – Friday)
Tuesday (Evening)
07:00 – 08:00 Welcome and Opening Dharma Talk
08:00 – 09:00 Zazen (2@25-10)
09:00 Tissarana Service
Mornings (Wed – Fri)
08:00 — 8:15 Morning Welcome
08:15 — 09:15 Zazen (2@25-10)
09:15 — 09:30 Morning Service
09:30 — 10:30 Morning Break
10:30 — 11:15 AM Presentation
11:15 — 12:15 Zazen (2@25-10)
12:15 — 01:30 Lunch Break
Afternoons (Wed – Fri)
01:30 — 02:30 Zazen (2@25-10)
02:30 — 03:30 PM Presentation
03:30 — 04:30 Zazen (2@25-10)
04:30 — 06:00 Dinner Break
Evenings (Wed thru Fri)
06:00 — 07:00 Zazen (2@25-10)
07:00 — 08:00 Dharma Talk
08:00 — 09:00 Zazen (2@25-10)
09:00 — Tissarana Service
- Zazen(2@25-10), shorthand representing (two) sessions of twenty-five minute silent mediation(Zazen) with (one) period ten minute walking (Kinhin)period of walking in between the meditation between the sits.
Saturday – Sunday Retreat & Conference Schedule
Saturday
08:00 — 8:15 Morning Welcome
08:15 — 09:15 Zazen (2@25-10)
09:15 — 09:30 Morning Service
09:30 — 10:30 Morning Break
10:30 – 12:00 STO Conference
12:00 – 1:00 Presentation
01:30 – 5:00 STO Lunch/Conference cont.
05:00 — 07:00 Dinner Break
07:00 – 08:00 Dharma Talk
08:00 — 09:00 Zazen (2@25-10)
09:00 Tissarana Service
Sunday Morning
08:30 — 9:00 Morning Welcome
09:00 — 10:30 Zazen (3@25-10)
10:30 — 11:00 Soto Zen Service, 10th STO Anniversary Ceremony, and Panel Discussion
12:00 — 12:15 Retreat Conclusion
