Zendo
Background Meditation & Mindfulness Events Facilities Resources
Background
The Empty Field Zendo is a seasonal rustic meditation hall on the farm that is used for our weekly sitting group, Zen retreats, yoga and other associated events, May–October, serving both the farm residents and guests from Eugene to Portland. In addition to visiting teachers, its programs are guided by one of Horton Road’s farmer’s, Debra Seido Martin, a transmitted lay teacher and student of Kyogen Carlson, co-abbot of Dharma Rain Zen Center in Portland, Oregon. Seido draws on her experience of the diversity of practice at several west coast Zen centers as well as two decades of working with the earth and recent master’s degree in Couple’s and Family Therapy. Retreats reflect the simplicity of the setting, integrating work in the garden and careful handling of fruits and vegetables fresh from the fields.
The Empty Field Zendo is a work in progress–its foundation was laid in 2006 by the Eugene Zendo sangha and the structure, made from locally milled sustainably harvested fir, has evolved with the help of Dharma Rain Zen Center, countless volunteers, donations, and green builder Howard “Kogen” Houseknecht of Kingfisher Construction. The building reflects the regions forested rolling hills and simple beauty of Zen practice that incorporates the natural elements.
Meditation & Mindfulness
Zen meditation is a simple ancient practice of sitting still, turning the attention to a centered spacious quality of our experience often missed in modern lives that are busy and saturated with distraction and demand. This centered, stable quality informs us how we move in the world – responding to everyday circumstances with wisdom and compassion. Mindfulness, the practice of attending to the particulars of the present moment without judgment, is a more active way of engaging meditation. When we wash the dishes, we practice just washing the dishes. Zen meditation and mindfulness are both methods of investigating what’s going on in our minds, our bodies and how we’re living our life that many experience as opening and healing. Informed by Buddhist teachings intended to develop wisdom and compassion, these practices are meant to be experienced, and well, practiced. We sit together because the instructions are simple, but actually doing the practice can be hard. Zen requires no beliefs–only a curiosity and willingness to investigate the practice and many Zen practitioners maintain religious faith outside Bud-dhism. In the Zen hall, all are welcome–nothing special is required to participate. Just come as you are.
Current Events
Below are intended events scheduled for the 2011 season. Because details can change quickly, please visit the Empty Field Zendo blog for the most current information. Contact Seido or designated event leaders for inquiries, registration and additional events.
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Ongoing May–October
Wednesday Evening Meditation & Discussion
7:30 – 8:30 PM
If it’s your first time or you would like to join us for 6:30 PM farm dinner, please contact us.
Thursday Evening Yoga with Kate
6:00 – 7:30 PM
If it’s your first time please contact Kate Hirst
healingscapes@gmail.com web: www.healingscapes.net
Events
Jukai – Receiving of the Buddhist Precepts
July 3 * 11 AM * Sunday
All welcome. Please come support Patricia as she takes vows to formally become a Buddhist. Kyogen from DRZC will be visiting for the ceremony.
Retreat: Interdependence and the Four Elements
June 30 – July 3 (Wednesday evening through Sunday lunch)
Come celebrate the Fourth of July weekend in silent retreat at the farm appreciating a life of interdependence and mindfulness of the four elements, earth, air, water and fire embodied in the surrounding nature. Sesshin led by Abby Mushin Terris & Seido Martin. Mushin is the leader of the Corvallis Zen Circle www.corvalliszencircle.com. Retreat is suitable for beginners. Please contact Mushin for more information or to register. Flyer attached.
Special Guest: Mala Spotted Eagle
July 13 * Wednesday
Mala is a friend of the farm and director of local Native American Community Nanish Shontie. www.nanish.org Dinner, Talk & Drumming.
Weekend Retreat: Cultivating the Way
Aug 25 – 28 * Thursday evening through Sunday lunch
Cultivating the path of practice mirrors the simple daily activities of the garden: feeding the earth, pulling weeds and planting seeds. This farm retreat is intended to balance the naturalness of late summer with periods of reflection and rest along with the renewal of formal meditation we anticipate returning as the weather cools and we turn inward. Retreat is led by Seido and is suitable for beginners, free of charge, dana is gratefully accepted.
Women’s Yoga Retreat
Sept 10-11 * Saturday into Sunday
Led by Sam Perroni of Willow Tree Yoga. For more information & registration contact: www.willowtreeyogastudio.com
Special Guest: Kyogen Carlson, DRZC Abbot
September TBA * Wednesday Evening Program
Evening dinner, meditation and talk.
Zendo Closing for the Season
October 12th * Full Moon
Facilities
The Empty Field Zendo is a rustic space–simple, peaceful, full of beauty and inconveniences. It consists of a main unheated hall, outdoor lean-to kitchen, an ash grove with hammocks, and a charming outhouse complete with half moon. If you’re preparing to come to the farm for retreat, please review the below information and let us know if you have any questions. For those interested in private retreats, please contact Seido.
WHAT TO BRING
Lots of clothing layers for hot and cold weather–yes, even in the summer–in August, it can be 32 degrees in the morning and 85 in the afternoon!
Waterproof boots or shoes for dewy grass
Work clothes and gloves/ knee pads if needed
Flashlight and/or headlamp
Blanket for Zendo Sitting
Sunscreen
Tent/ sleeping bag for camping
ARRIVAL & PARKING
Day visitors may park along the road by the fence line and walk back to the zendo–about 5 minutes from the gate. For overnight guests, please park in the field past the barn and use a garden cart to bring your things to the zendo field. Follow the signs.
CAMPING
Retreatants have the option of camping or sleeping in the zendo. Camping is available in the zendo field in the area beyond the fallen ash tree. It might be pitch black when you’re coming to the zendo in the morning and after evenings closing, so don’t forget your flashlights to find your tent or the outhouse. Be prepared for very cold mornings & evenings in the mountains – bring layers and blankets for sitting.
BATHROOM FACILITIES
Retreat participants have access to an outhouse in the field. There is schedule for use of a residential shower during retreat breaks.
DURING RETREAT BREAKS
Feel free to wander the farm during breaks. Enjoy the rows of vegetables, shade trees or rest in the hammocks in the ash grove. There are also trails that lead to the top of the hill behind the farm with a view of the farm and valley.
CELL PHONES
There is no cell phone service on the farm. The main farm phone number can be used in emergencies.
Resources
Zen Centers
Dharma Rain Zen Center
Portland, OR
The Eugene Zendo
Eugene, OR
Zen Community of Oregon/ Great Vow Monastery
Clatskanie, OR
San Francisco Zen Center
San Francisco, CA
Books for Beginners
Everyday Zen
by Joko Beck
Taking up the Path of Zen
by Robert Aitken Roshi
Wise Heart
by Jack Kornfield
Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind
by Shunryu Suzuki
Journals
Tricycle Magazine
Shambala Sun
Buddhadharma
Writings
from the Empty Field Zendo