Brad Warner
Just Sitting
April 25-27
2 nights
$130 ($65 deposit) Dana
Brad Warner is an ordained Buddhist monk in the Soto tradition of Zen Buddhism and president of Dogen Sangha International. He is the author of the books Hardcore Zen (Wisdom Publications, 2004) and Sit Down And Shut Up (New World Library, 2007). He began his training in 1983 under Tim McCarthy, a student of Kobun Chino Roshi and in 1999 received Dharma Transmission from Gudo Wafu Nishijima Roshi, author of the only complete English translation of Master Dogens Shobogenzo currently in print. Brad writes a regular column on Buddhism for the Suicide Girls website, is the producer and director of the film Clevelands Screaming, and plays bass in the hardcore punk band 0DFx (Zero Defex).
This retreat will focus mainly on the shikantaza, or just sitting, style of zazen meditation. This practice, in which there is no specific object of meditation, is uncluttered and uncomplicated. By forgoing any sort of object of meditation, one learns to retain the meditative state throughout any and all activities.
The talks will focus on the philosophy of Master Dogen, the 13th century Japanese monk who brought just sitting style zazen to Japan from China. In his talks, Brad encourages participants to ask questions and initiate discussion. So, although the focus will be Master Dogens philosophy and just sitting style zazen, the specific topics of these discussions are guided by the participants in a free-form style. The goal of these discussions is to understand how Master Dogens philosophy applies to our everyday lives here and now, rather than simply memorizing historical facts and philosophical sound bytes. Brads style tends to be almost like stand-up comedy, so be prepared for bad jokes and even worse puns.