Please note that the exact dates for events at HVZC and other locations Mitra-sensei teaches at are published in our bi-monthly journal, The Oak Tree in the Garden. It is available as online or hardcopy subscription. Please download the subscription form here.

Hidden Valley Zen Center holds formal sittings (zazen periods) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings and Sunday mornings. Informal sittings are offered weekday morning. If you have had extensive experience in Rinzai Zen meditation and are interested in sitting with us, please send an email to info@hvzc.org or call 760-591-9893 to arrange this. If you do not have extensive experience in Rinzai Zen meditation, then please attend either our half-day Introduction to Zen Meditation led by our advanced students, or sign up for our full-day Workshop on Rinzai Zen led by our teacher Mitra Bishop-sensei.

Mitra Bishop-sensei comes to teach at Hidden Valley Zen Center most months of the year. During those times, formal, daily morning and evening sittings with sanzen (private interview with the teacher, open to members). Sensei also leads sesshin (cloistered retreats) at HVZC on a regular basis. Please see the latest Oak Tree in the Garden journal for extact dates. Mitra-sensei leads frequent longer sesshin at Mountain Gate in northern New Mexico.

All-day WORKSHOP ON RINZAI ZEN

Mitra-sensei leads each Workshop on Rinzai Zen. During these full-day workshops we will begin to develop the tools with which to free ourselves from confusion, pain and suffering in this world of challenge. During the workshop Sensei will cover the history of Zen practice, its methods, and how we put them to use in our daily lives. You will have a chance for hands-on practice with the guidance of an experienced Zen teacher with more than 30 years of practice both in a major American Zen center and a 300-year-old Rinzai Zen monastery in Japan.

A light vegetarian meal will be served midday, and refreshments at the end of the workshop. Cost for this full-day Workshop on Rinzai Zen is $50 per person and reservations are required. The special rate for students with current ID is $30. Please enclose a check or money order, payable in U.S. funds, to the Hidden Valley Zen Center, with your reservation form.

The next Workshop on Rinzai Zen will be held on Saturday, October 4th, 2008, from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. Please download the Registration Form for the Workshop on Rinzai Zen here.


Half-day INTRODUCTION TO ZEN MEDITATION

Hidden Valley Zen Center also offers half-day Introductions to Zen Meditation, led by senior students. Please register by returning a Registration Form for the Introduction to Zen Meditation. Please enclose a check or money order, payable in U.S. funds, to the Hidden Valley Zen Center. The regular rate is $20.00. For two people attending together (as friends or as a couple), the rate is $35.00 for the pair. The special rate for students with current ID is $15.00 each.

Dates for the next half-day (9 a.m. till noon) Introduction to Zen Meditation to be announced. You can download the Registration Form for the half-day Introduction to Zen Meditation here.

General Information:

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before 9 a.m. for either workshop.

Acceptance for those under 16 will be made on a case-by-case basis. Unfortunately, parents caring for infants or small children cannot be accommodated at either event.

Participants are urged to wear clothing suitable for sitting in meditation. Clothing should be ample enough to sit with legs crossed, pants should be loose fitting. Please do not wear shorts or shirts with wide cut necks.

Assume you are accepted unless you hear otherwise. However, if you are mailing in your reservation less than a week prior to the workshop, please call the center to confirm your place. For driving directions and any other information please call the Center at 760-591-9893.

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