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 The Six Paramitas: Engaging the Practices of the Bodhisattva Path through Mind and Body. (Suggested Readings PDF)

Kate and Michael will lead the opening weekend retreat September 18-20, which will begin on Friday evening with a shuso-entering ceremony.  Practice period culminates in our annual Loon Lake six-day residential sesshin led this year for the first time by our guiding teachers. Sesshin follows the ancient rhythms of the monastic daily schedule, including meals with oryoki, the traditional three bowls used by Zen monks. We are planning for both these retreats to be offered in-person, with limited numbers, as well as on Zoom.

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 are happy to welcome Kakuko Kaye Simard as shuso. She will give a Way-Seeking Mind talk at the opening weekend retreat. Throughout the practice period we will have dharma seminars on the paramitas, Sunday mornings led by Kaye and Wednesday evenings led by Kate and Michael.

Shuso’s statement: Although a relative newcomer to Buddhism and Soto Zen practice, I bring along a lifetime of spiritual examination and exploration. Throughout my professional career as a registered nurse, I countlessly bore witness to the trials and challenges of the ill and suffering, and most especially with disadvantaged and marginalized members of our society. Those experiences, along with my personal life story, now inform my current practice – study of the enduring mind/body effects of suffering; body informed practices; and the way from suffering through the bodhisattva path.

 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, in-person with due precautions, or by phone or Zoom,  at the beginning, mid-point and end of the practice period for discussion and support.. 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.

Particularly if you are relatively new to practice we can match you with 1-2 other new people and one of our practice leaders. Please request this on your registration.

Dokusan (discussion with a teacher about your practice) with guiding teachers Shinmon Michael and Myoshin Kate will be offered in-person at the zendo, or by phone or Zoom. If you would like to schedule a phone/Zoom dokusan please contact teachers@mountainrainzen.org and the teacher will contact you to arrange a time. 

To Register for Dokusan during a retreat click below:

Practice Discussion

Practice discussion will be offered by phone or Zoom practice leaders, Nin-en Susan Elbe, Dai-I Flo Rublee, and Jikai Vicki Turay, all of whom have been shuso for a past practice period. To schedule a practice period, please contact the individual practice leader if you already know their email, or contact info@mountainrainzen.org and specify who you would like to contact.

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 to the teachers may be made by e-transfer, cheques sent to 29582 Berg Ave, Mission, BC V4S 1B9, or Paypal using the link on the website Teacher Dana page.

Dana to practice leaders can be made by e-transfer to their personal email, or by cheque sent to Mountain Rain Zen Community 2016 Wall St. Vancouver, BC V5L 1B1.

Registration

The 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 overall 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:

2020  Practice Period Registration Form