Ordinary Mind is Zen: A weekend with Andre Elsen

andre (2)

Friday, February 21, 7 pm – 9 pm; Saturday, February 22, 9 am – 5 pm

(Andre will also give the Sunday morning dharma talk on February 23.)

In Zen we have many forms, many ways to express practice, to train our minds and our selves. Yet what do we do when we get up, eat breakfast, work, speak to our partners or friends or children? At those times, what mind will we express – and is that the same mind that does zazen? What is zazen mind? How do we cultivate this mind on and off the cushion?

What if all our ideas of zen, zazen and any other state of mind are just the thing that keeps us from really being this person? What if truly being this one is zen? Let’s work together and try to explore this as wholeheartedly and honestly as we can.

Suggested donation £15, and if that’s a challenge, please simply offer whatever you can afford. Wear loose comfortable clothing and bring vegetarian food to share on Saturday.

Please help us manage numbers by registering for a free ticket here.

Spring Sesshin April 28 – May 3

Posted by djinngallagher

Walking meditation in the grounds of Benburb Priory

Tuesday, April 28 – Sunday, May 3, 2020

The 2020 spring sesshin at Benburb Priory led by Ryushin Paul Haller, the guiding teacher of Black Mountain Zen Centre, is now open for registration.

This silent meditation retreat will start on Tuesday evening and end on Sunday afternoon. Participants can either attend for the whole five days or for the weekend from Friday evening to Sunday. The suggested donation to cover our costs is £310 for the full five days, and £165 for the weekend, Friday to Sunday. This covers your single room and three vegetarian meals per day, plus unlimited tea and coffee during breaks. Please offer what you can afford, and if you can make a larger donation, that is also gratefully received.

If you’ve attended sesshin before, please let us know by email here if you hope to attend and let us know if any of your details have changed. If it’s your first sesshin, please read the application form and follow the details in order to apply: Sesshin application

Sesshin Dates for 2020

Posted by djinngallagher

Walking meditation in the grounds of Benburb Priory

Tuesday, April 28 – Sunday, May 3, 2020
Tuesday, August 25 – Sunday, August 30, 2020

Ryushin Paul Haller, the guiding teacher of Black Mountain Zen Centre, will lead two five-day sesshin at Benburb Priory this year.

These silent meditation retreats will start on Tuesday evening and end on Sunday afternoon. Participants can either attend for the whole five days or for the weekend from Friday evening to Sunday. The suggested donation to cover our costs is £310 for the full five days, and £165 for the weekend, Friday to Sunday. This covers your single room and three vegetarian meals per day, plus unlimited tea and coffee during breaks. Please offer what you can afford, and if you can make a larger donation, that is also gratefully received.