The tradition of the intensive practice period goes back to the time of the Buddha when, during the rainy season, the Buddha and his disciples gathered in one place to meditate and study together. As our own rainy season approaches here in the Pacific Northwest, we will hold our 18th annual Mountain Rain practice period.

In Zen monasteries intensive practice periods traditionally last for three months, but ours is shorter, designed to support participants to intensify and strengthen their practice while living in the midst of family and work responsibilities. This year's practice period will be led by Guiding Teachers Myoshin Kate McCandless. and Shinmon Michael Newton and our theme will be Koans of the Gateless Barrier (Mumonkan), a thirteenth century Chinese collection of 48 Zen dialogues and teaching stories with surprising relevance to our lives and practice today. Kate and Michael will lead the opening weekend retreat September 22-24, and on October 21 Kate will lead a day retreat on Koans of Sickness, Old Age and Death. Practice period culminates in our annual Loon Lake six-day residential sesshin led by Zoketsu Norman Fischer, which follows the ancient rhythms of the monastic daily schedule, including meals with oryoki, the traditional three bowls used by Zen monks.

During practice period, the shuso or "head monk" is a long-time practitioner whose role is to support the sangha by offering a weekly dharma seminar, giving several talks, meeting for tea with participants, and cleaning washrooms, a traditional practice of humility. 

This year, we’re happy to welcome Jakushin Todd Slobogean as shuso. He will give a Way-Seeking Mind talk at the opening weekend retreat. Throughout the practice period we will have  dharma seminars on the Gateless Gate koans, Sunday mornings led by Todd and Wednesday evenings led by Kate and Michael.

Shuso’s statement: My fascination with and study of Eastern philosophy and religion (the Tao, Siddha Yoga, etc.) progressed through many disciplines over a period of 40 years leading up to my joining MRZC in 2007. I received lay ordination (jukai) and my dharma name of Jakushin Myoshu (Serene Forest, Shining Practice) from teachers Myoshin Kate McCandless and Shinmon Michael Newton in 2013.  Now retired, I was professionally a businessman, having formed a number of companies bringing innovative new products to the North American market and obtaining a patent on a machine I designed. I made business into a spiritual practice by advocating fairness and integrity in an industry where these qualities were sometimes absent. I am married and have two adult daughters. Living with equanimity in all areas of life continues to be my lifelong quest.

 How to Participate

There are no specific requirements for participation, though we encourage you to register (see below). It helps to structure your practice period and affirm your commitment. Various possible components are listed below as suggestions. Please take into consideration your family and work commitments and decide what commitments will best nourish your practice. 

·         Home sitting practice

·         Practice at the zendo

·         Dokusan (individual meetings) with Mountain Rain’s teachers and practice discussion with sangha leaders. (See below.)

·         Participation in a practice period dyad/triad. (See below.)

·         Participation in practice period retreats

·         Participation in weekly dharma seminars

·         "Zen Arts" practice (This can be broadly defined as any art/craft practiced with mindful awareness.)

·         Family and/or work as practice

·         Engaged Buddhist practice (service/activism)

·         Commitment to simplify or restrict personal lifestyle

·         Specific personal mindfulness practices

Practice Period Dyads/Triads

We'd like to encourage local and long-distance participants to join a Practice Period Dyad/Triad. This is a small group of two or three people who ideally will meet at the beginning, mid-point and end of the practice period for discussion and support, in person or by phone/Skype. If you would like to join a dyad/triad please sign up on the registration form below. You can form a group with someone you know, or we'd be happy to match you up.

Long-distance Participants

For those who live at a distance, dharma talks and seminar talks will be made available on the website soon after they have been given.  Our practice leaders, Nin-en Susan Elbe, Dai-I Flo Rublee, Joko Claire Talbot and Jikai Vicki Turay, all of whom have been shuso for a past practice period, will serve as practice mentors by phone or e-mail for long-distance participants. Specific guidelines will be given, but we recommend three contacts through the practice period. Please indicate on the registration form below if you would like a practice mentor. Availability may be limited, depending on how many requests we receive. Dokusan by phone (discussion about your practice) with guiding teachers Shinmon Michael and Myoshin Kate is available by request. If you would like to schedule a phone dokusan please contact info@mountainrainzen.org and the teacher will contact you to arrange a time. 

Dana: Dana is an ancient Pali word that means generosity. It is an important part of our practice and has many aspects, one of which is supporting teachers so that they can give their time and energy to sharing the dharma with the sangha. Dana is completely voluntary and the amount is up to your discernment, considering your circumstances. Dana checques to the teachers or practice leaders can be made out to the individual, and sent to Mountain Rain Zen Community 2016 Wall St. Vancouver, BC V5L 1B1. Also e-transfers can be made by email once you have the teacher’s or mentor’s personal email.

Registration

This registration form below will help you plan your practice period and clarify your intentions in advance. Anyone is welcome to participate in the events during practice period, but if you register as a participant, it will affirm your commitment, and you will receive weekly email updates, resources and suggestions for discussion. Participants are invited to send in reflections, questions, photos, or poems to share with other participants, and we’ll post them in the weekly newsletter.

Practice period is a wonderful way to strengthen and nourish your practice, supported by the sangha. We hope you’ll be able to participate in whatever way is best for you.

Please click the link below to open the registration form:

2017 Practice Period Registration Form