Empty Field Farm Zendo

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Private Retreats

Horton Road Organics
93851 Horton Rd.
Blachly, OR 97412
(541)925-3019
hortonroadorganics@gmail.com

Private retreat time at the Farm Zendo is available for those who are members of Oregon Zen Centers and familiar with the Horton farm facilities, having toured or attended prior retreats. You may wish to spend a few hours or a few overnights. Since the accommodations are minimal, we are limiting stays to 2 overnights this year. We do honor and appreciate your practice and the gifts, seen and unseen, that it brings to this field. 

Scheduling & Needed Info

Please send a request to Seido (email preferred) regarding:

• Times/ dates of the retreat you wish to do
• Your contact information
• Any information we need to know about you in case of emergency, medical etc.
• If you wish to participate in the farm work or empty field projects

We will let you know if the zendo is available and if/when regular zazen practice is scheduled.

Hosting and Silence

As a private retreatant, you will be on your own for the duration including arrival, setup and departure, although the zendo may be in use for scheduled meditation and service. We will respect your space and assume you are keeping silence in and out of the zendo field unless we know otherwise. We will bow in greeting, but otherwise leave you to your own devices. Please come to the main household in an emergency, however, we trust you can resolve “small questions” on your own. 

Parking

If weather allows (usually June, or a dry May, through Oct), please park in either the zendo field or around the side of the barn where people usually park for retreats. During other times, please park outside the front gate along the road. You may use a farm garden cart to bring your things to the space.  Directions to the farm are found at www.hortonorganics.com

Grounds

Feel free to wander the farm fields or hike up adjacent hillsides. However, please respect the privacy of the farm residents in the barn and private residence in the main household.

Facilities

Zendo

Please feel free to use items in the zendo, cushions, mats, chairs etc. for meditation or body practices such as yoga or desk for sutra copying etc. The altar is also supplied with incense and candles.  Please be mindful of candles and their fire hazard. You may also sleep in the zendo. Please leave the space set up as you found it especially if zazen is scheduled in the middle of your retreat.  Cleaning supplies are also in the zendo.

Kitchen

There is a rudimentary outdoor kitchen setup during the season that is available for your use. You will need to bring your own food. There is a cooler to protect your food from mice and raccoons. You are welcome to harvest vegetables from the field to supplement your diet. A First Aid kit is also located in a blue tub with the kitchen items.

Toilet

We currently have no permanent toilet facilities in the field. You may use the woods using appropriate burial techniques, as if you were backcountry camping, or the main house mudroom toilet. No shower is currently available, although there is potable water and one electrical outlet outside the zendo.

Offerings

Your practice is a profound offering in itself and blesses the meditation hall, nothing more is needed. If you would like to contribute to the Farm Zendo project, there is a begging bowl outside the zendo, and we’re grateful for the support. If you would like to offer your labor, please inquire as to projects in the Empty Field or participating in the farm work during or after the retreat.

May your retreat bring wholesome fruit and nourishing insight.