Sunday Zazen and Text Study: Apr 30 and May 28

On the 4th Sunday of each month, the Clare Sangha Senseis are offering a 90-minute practice opportunity that will include one period of Zazen followed by an hour-long open discussion about a reading. Everyone is invited to attend all or part of this gathering.

Schedule
9:45a – Zoom “virtual zendo” opens

10:00-10:25a – Zazen, Chanting of Gatha of Atonement

10:25-10:30a  -Stretch/Break

10:30-11:25a – Discussion of reading 

11:25a- Check in! Chat with other members of the sangha.

This month study text is TBD.

Please note: to protect the security of our meetings, we do not post Zoom links online. All the information you will need to access our online events will be sent to you through our mailing list. If you are already subscribed to the mailing list and receive email announcements about practice opportunities, all the information you will need to access our online events will be sent to you. If you are not currently subscribed to the mailing list and would like to receive links to our meetings, we invite you join our mailing list by clicking here.

Wednesday Evening Zazen: April 12, 26 and May 10, 24

We hope to see you on in the virrual zendo on Wednesday Evening from 7p-7:30p for some zazen and a little conversation. Typically, the Wednesday group meets every other week, but please check the schedule to confirm.

Schedule

6:50p – Virtual Zendo Opens.
*If you are new to the practice, this is an opportunity to receive some encouraging instructions.  

7:00p – Gatha of Atonement, Zazen, Four Bodhisattva Vows  

7:25p –-Check-in! Chat with other members of the sangha.

Please note: to protect the security of our meetings, we do not post Zoom links online. All the informaton you will need to access our online events will be sent to you through our mailing list. If you are already subscribed to the mailing list and receive email announcements about practice opportunities, all the information you will need to access our online events will be sent to you. If you are not currently subscribed to the mailing list and would like to receive links to our meetings, we invite you join our mailing list by clicking here.

Hybrid In-Person/Online Zazenkai Date: Saturday, May 13 from 10am to 5pm

In-Person Location
Church of the Nativity & Holy Comforter (CNHC)
419 Cedarcroft Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212, USA

Parking is available in the lot to the south of the church.

*NEW* Covid-19 Testing Requirements

Given that many health organizations are reducing their requirements for covid masking or testing, the Baltimore Zen Community Clare Sangha will no longer require covid testing for zazenkais this summer. This will begin with the May 13th zazenkai. We encourage sangha members to continue to get vaccinated or boosted against covid and to not attend any events if they have any symptoms of covid. People are welcome to wear masks for their own protection at any time at sangha events.

 
Clare Sangha is mindful of medical privacy concerns and will handle this process with the sincerest discretion.

General Information about Zazenkai
Zazenkai consists of alternating periods of seated and walking meditation, dharma talk, optional interviews, coffee/tea and rest breaks, lunch, and spiritual circle. Beginning instruction is offered to newcomers, after which they may join in community practice until lunch, or for the rest of the day. Please bring a bag lunch. You can view our standard zazenkai schedule here.

Suggested donation (dana) for this event is:
– $20 for in-person
– $10 for Zoom

Clare Sangha accepts donations via check, cash or PayPal

To register for a day of silence, send e-mail to [email protected], or register in person on-site the day of the event.

If you are not currently subscribed to the mailing list and would like to receive links to our meetings, we invite you join our mailing list by clicking here.

You will need to install Zoom on your computer or device before you will be able to attend our online activites. The download process will begin automatically when you click on a link to join our “online zendo.” When you click on the Zoom link, you will be prompted to download and install the Zoom app.

Please note: to protect the security of our meetings, we do not post Zoom links online. To receive links to our meetings, we ask that you join our mailing list by clicking here.

If you haven’t used Zoom before, there are many helpful videos available on the Zoom website that will help you learn the basics. You can access these videos by clicking here.

To help you along the way, we have borrowed some of the excellent instructions listed on the Village Zendo’s website regarding Zoom.

Here are step-by-step instructions for exploring a few common functions in Zoom, the home of the online zendo.

Audio:

By default, your audio will be muted when you join the online zendo. Please keep your microphone muted during zazen so that you do not distract others. Also keep your audio muted during chanting, because Zoom’s audio does not work well when many people are talking (or chanting) at the same time. You may follow along with the chant leader as they chant. The image of a microphone with a slash indicates mute.

To adjust the video:

The two most commonly used controls to adjust video in the online zendo are Start/Stop Video (bottom left) and Enter Full Screen Click (top right).

Other common controls:

Chat: connects listeners with the moderator, and shows the closing recitation.

Participants: allows attendees to see who else is in the online zendo.