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Embodying Wakefulness in Everyday Life:
Embodying Wakefulness in Everyday Life:
The Expression of Buddha Nature off the Cushion
The Expression of Buddha Nature off the Cushion
In Zen, we often focus on zazen, or formal sitting practice, as the expression of our Buddha Nature—the practice of “becoming ourselves.” But as Suzuki Roshi reminds us in his new book, Becoming Yourself: Teachings on the Zen Way of Life, our practice doesn't end when the bell rings. The fulfillment of our vow to live our lives in compassionate service to all beings is truly realized in the everyday activities we engage in off the cushion. As Suzuki Roshi notes, "Zazen and everyday activity—everyday activity and zazen—are two sides of the one practice, and there should not be any gap."
This fall, the Awakening Together Zen Community and the Open Door Zen Community will explore these two sides of one practice over two weekend retreats. The first retreat offered by ATZC, on October 16-18, 2025, will focus on how our practice of becoming ourselves opens us to the possibility of bringing the quality of our sitting practice into every moment of our lives. Through practice, we discover the unique shape of love that we are, allowing us to move off the cushion and meet all of life with authentic care, non-harming, and harmonious conduct. The ATZC retreat will draw on the teachings from "Zen in Everyday Life", part 2 of the book, Becoming Yourself: Teachings on the Zen Way of Life. The second retreat, offered by ODZC on Oct 23 - 26, will focus on strengthening the quality of our sitting practice as we meet our world.
While each retreat will be whole in itself, attending both retreats will enrich your understanding of practice.
Thursday-Saturday
16-18 October, 2025
St. Paul, MN & Online
8 AM - 5 PM CST Daily
As our Teacher says, this schedule, like all conditioned phenomena, is subject to change.
A Note on Teaching:
Our guiding teacher, Flint Sparks, will offer our opening Dharma Talk virtually on Thursday morning.
The retreat will be supported in person by a combination of entrusted teachers from our sister Sangha, Open Door Zen Community, Suzanne Kilkus and Kim Neuschel, and incoming head student from Awakening Together Zen Community, Ryan Van Wyk.
Our Guiding Teacher - Flint Sparks
Our Guiding Teacher - Flint Sparks
Flint Sparks (Jigen Kōshin Rōshi) is a Zen teacher and former psychologist dedicated to assisting people in the unending path of growing up and waking up. An experienced therapist and a master teacher, Flint's teachings bridge the fields of traditional Buddhist practice and the psychology of awakening. Flint lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico and in recent years has has extended his work into the contemplative arts, especially photography. In whatever capacity, his vow is to help soften barriers to love and serve as a clear and caring resource on the path of freedom from unnecessary suffering.
Flint is a senior teacher at Appamada in Austin, Texas and is the Guiding Teacher for Open Door Zen Community in Madison, Wisconsin, Just This consortium of Sanghas across the UK, and Awakening Together Zen Community in Minneapolis, MN.
For more information, visit flintsparks.org
Entrusted Teacher - Suzanne Kilkus
Entrusted Teacher - Suzanne Kilkus
A student of Flint’s for over 20 years and a member of Open Door Zen Community since its inception in 2014, Suzanne received teacher entrustment from Flint Sparks and Peg Syverson in October of 2020 and was installed as the resident teacher of Open Door Zen Community in April of 2023. To learn more visit opendoorzencommunity.org
Entrusted Teacher - Kim Neuschel
Entrusted Teacher - Kim Neuschel
Kim is a newly entrusted teacher in the Soto Zen lineage. She received entrustment in the Spring of 2025 from Roshi Flint Sparks and her sangha sister and teacher, Suzanne Kilkus. Kim has been studying with Flint since 2004 and is deeply grateful for the endless blessings of this path.
Join us in person - at:
Carondelet Center (Space is limited to 35 in-person attendees)
1890 Randolph Ave, St Paul, MN 55105
Or
Join us online (via Zoom).
Registration
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