Upcoming events

Switch to Calendar View

• Thursday Evening Practice

  • Start
    Thursday, November 30, 2023
  •  
    (PST)
  • End
    Thursday, December 19, 2024
  •  
    (PST)
  • Schedule
    54 sessions
  • Location
    Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St, Bellingham, and Online on Zoom

  THURSDAY EVENING PROGRAM

  This is our central weekly practice and community meeting. The usual pattern is:

  • 1st Thursday of the month: Precepts Ceremony.
  • 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Thursdays of the month: Regular Schedule (see below).

  Most evenings begin with zazen (sitting meditation) and include kinhin (walking meditation), bowing and chanting service, Dharma Talk and discussion.

  During our annual Winter Practice Period Schedule the schedule emphasizes meditation more strongly.

  Location: In-person at BUF and online via Zoom - see our Zendo page for details.

  Dokusan (private interviews with the teachers) will be available in both places - an announcement will be made at the beginning of the program on how to request a session. Learn more about dokusan.
  

  Orientation: If you're new to Zen or our community, we're happy to offer an orientation to the program (when and how to do what). Just email orientation@redcedarzen.org. It's also perfectly fine to just show up, pick someone, and do what they do. 

  Regular Schedule:
  6:50pm han (sounding board) begins
  7:00pm zazen (sitting meditation)
  7:30pm kinhin (walking meditation)
  7:40pm service (chanting and bowing)
  8:00pm dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
  8:40pm discussion
  8:55pm refuge chant
  9:00pm close

  Printable Chant Books covering all chants done at Red Cedar events are available here.

  Show details
• Friday Morning Practice

  • Start
    Friday, December 08, 2023
  •  
    (PST)
  • End
    Friday, December 27, 2024
  •  
    (PST)
  • Schedule
    56 sessions
  • Location
    Online on Zoom Only.

  FRIDAY MORNING PROGRAM

  Fridays 7am - 7:30am a sangha-led* morning sit: zazen, optionally followed by chanting the Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo.

  We also offer zazen practice with a service Mondays - Thursdays also at 7am. See more about Weekday Morning Practice at Red Cedar.

  
  

  * sangha-led practice times are led by experience students in the sangha. Teachers and priests are not always present. Rituals offered are simpler and private interviews are not available.

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• Weekday Morning Practice

  • Start
    Monday, January 01, 2024
  •  
    (PST)
  • End
    Thursday, July 25, 2024
  •  
    (PDT)
  • Schedule
    120 sessions
  • Location
    Online on Zoom Only.

  WEEKDAY MORNING PROGRAM

  Monday - Thursday 7am - 7:30am a simple morning sit: zazen, and brief dedication of merit.

  On Friday mornings also at 7am we offer a slightly different program.

  Verses used are available here. 

  You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

  If you would like to have a private interview (dokusan) with our Guiding Teacher, Nomon Tim Burnett, simply use the Zoom chat function to send Nomon a private chat - just saying "doksuan" is fine. Note that Nomon Tim is often logged in as Red Cedar Zen Community.

  Printable Chant Books covering all chants done at Red Cedar events are available here.

  Show details
• Saturday Morning Practice

  • Start
    Saturday, January 06, 2024
  •  
    (PST)
  • End
    Saturday, January 18, 2025
  •  
    (PST)
  • Schedule
    55 sessions
  • Location
    Online on Zoom Only.

  SATURDAY MORNING PROGRAM

  Saturdays 7am - 7:30am a sangha-led* morning sit with a 30-minute period of zazen to start your weekend off.

  We also offer zazen practice with a service Mondays - Thursdays also at 7am. See more about Weekday Morning Practice at Red Cedar.

  
  

  * sangha-led practice times are led by experience students in the sangha. Teachers and priests are not always present. Rituals offered are simpler and private interviews are not available.

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• Reading Dogen (weekly on Tuesday)

  • Start
    Tuesday, January 23, 2024
  •  
  • End
    Tuesday, January 07, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    51 sessions
  • Location
    Virtual Zendo online via Zoom

  Register

  Reading Dogen

  The Red Cedar Zen Community is continuing the weekly "Reading Dogen" Study Group.

  The event is hosted on zoom by Sangha teacher and Tanto (head of practice) Kanho Chris Burkhart. For an hour we will read Dogen and discuss whatever comes up for us. There is no need to commit to the series, dropping in is fine. 

  We are using "Master Dogen's Shobogenzo" (Gudo Nishijima & Chodo Cross) and "Treasury of the True Dharma Eye" (Tanahashi) as the main translations.

  For questions or a copy of the fascicle we are currently reading, please contact Kanho Chris at cburkhart@gmail.com.

  Location: We are meeting online in our Virtual Zendo - please visit the Our Zendo page for connection information.

  Registration: There is no fee for this class but please register so we can send you updates.

  REGISTER

  Show details
• Zen Alive! Sunday Program

  • Start
    Sunday, February 04, 2024
  •  
  • End
    Sunday, December 01, 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    10 sessions
  • Location
    Online in our Virtual Zoom Zendo

  Register

  
  

  Monthly Sunday Morning Program - 10am to Noon
  Next meeting June 4th

  
  

  

  Join us for our now monthly Sunday morning program with meditation, Zen chanting, and a Dharma talk with discussion by Red Cedar Zen and, once a month, visiting speakers. Whether you are an old hand at this or you are just Zen-curious and know nothing about Zen practice, please come! 

  The program will generally be offered on the first Sunday of the month but please check back here at the website for dates.

  About Zen Alive!

  We always ask questions. What is real and what is delusion? Living an examined life can be a pain in the neck. And then, there is the point where Zen practice, community, and our everyday lives meet. Life encountered directly! Before we have time to slap the good or bad label on it, we see it all: beautiful sunrises, bad service, political news, global warming, our fast-paced digital life, love, time with friends, sickness and aging and death... all happening at the same time. Issa said it so well in his haiku: 

  The world of dew
  Is the world of dew.
  And yet, and yet—

  —Kobayashi Issa (1763 - 1828)

  We explore this intersection of life, this world, and stories of awakening on Sundays during Zen Alive! Local and guest Zen Buddhist teachers will explore awakening, enlightenment, and practice-realization. 

  "Living an examined life in some ways is a pain in the neck." Maybe we think everything should be different from how it is, and at other times we believe everything should stay forever exactly like this! And yet, and yet... it changes. Always. Please come to help us explore this theme through the practice of sitting meditation (zazen), walking meditation (kinhin), dharma talk, and  conversation.

  The event will be online in our virtual zendo.

  This event free of charge; however, if you are so moved, donations are gratefully accepted by the teachers and the Red Cedar Zen Community to cover ongoing expenses (make a donation here).
  
  To receive reminders and notices about guest speakers and other Sunday program news please REGISTER for Zen Alive!

  Show details
• Sangha Mentors Program

  • Start
    Friday, March 22, 2024
  •  
    (PDT)
  • End
    Saturday, January 11, 2025
  •  
    (PST)
  • Location
    Arranged with your mentor

  Register

  Nomon Tim and the Red Cedar Zen Practice Leaders are happy to invite a new round of mentorship. This program is available to all Members of Red Cedar Zen Community. 

  In this simple program sangha members are paired with a mentor. The mentors are our Practice Leaders: Lay Teachers and Priests who have completed the shuso (head monk) training. Our Guiding Teacher, Nomon Tim Burnett, will not serve as a mentor, rather he will be directing the program and consulting regularly with the teachers. You are always welcome to consult with Nomon Tim one on one in dokusan (private interview).

  The process is simple: simply sign up and indicate a 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice of whom you would like to serve as your mentor.

  You will hear back from Nomon in a few weeks on which mentor was assigned. Know that the teachers do not see your preferences. Simply pick whom you feel affinity with and we will do the rest.

  Once paired, you'll meet with your mentor and decide how often you would like to make contact. And how. We recommend touching base once or twice a month as a general guideline, but the program is flexible according to individual needs and the currents in our busy lives.

  There is no registration fee or charge but you might consider an offering of dana (generosity) to your mentor in any form that feels appropriate.

  What will the conversations be about? Anything related to the practice. Which is to say, anything related to living our lives with more awareness and kindness. You might choose to both read an article or study a text and talk about it; you might choose to make a commitment about daily practice and have someone to check-in on how that's going; you might simply relax together over a cup of tea and feel the deep benefits of spiritual companionship.

  We hope sangha members will take advantage of this opportunity. And remember that it helps our sangha's teachers to grow and develop when they have an opportunity to take on these roles. The Sangha Mentors program is a wonderful way to strengthen our individual and collective practice and inter-connection as a sangha.

  ---

  Not yet a member? Please sign up on the Membership Page. A current membership is required to participate in the Sangha Mentors program.

  
  

  Show details
• 2024 Zen Precepts Studies - True Freedom Through Ethical Conduct

  • Start
    Wednesday, March 27, 2024
  •  
  • End
    Saturday, October 12, 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    8 sessions
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Register

  The Red Cedar Zen Community is offering a monthly study group focused on the Zen Precepts. The group will be led by Kanho Chris Burkhart and IkuShun Desiree Webster with support from Nomon Tim Burnett.

  This class is for all Red Cedar Zen Members and non-members interested in precepts studies. Students should have the intention to attend all 7 evening meetings and the half-day retreat. Students moving towards Jukai are expected to attend all sessions plus the Jukai ceremony on November 10th at the Fall Samish Sesshin.

  Note: If you are interested in receiving Jukai this year, please see the Going Further page on the website and speak with a teacher for information on the process.

  Note that this course is completely online via Zoom.

  Meetings

  Each group meeting will include discussion, experiential exercises, and reflection in small groups on what these precepts mean for us as human beings and students of Zen and in reflection of the teachers' comments.

  A second monthly meeting is self-organized by smaller study groups to discuss the readings and further reflect on how the precepts show up in their lives. Responses can be written, artistic, or verbal.

  The study group concludes with a half-day retreat in early October.

  Texts Used

  Being Upright by Reb Anderson, 

  Waking Up to What you Do by Diane Rizzetto
  

  Mind of Clover by Robert Aitken.

  Schedule

  Wednesday evening meetings plus a Saturday half-day retreat.

  3/27 - 6:30-8:00pm About the precepts, taking refuge
  4/24 - 6:30-8:00pm Pure precepts
  5/22 - 6:30-8:00pm Precepts 1 & 9
  6/26 -6:30-8:00pm Precepts 2 & 3
  7/24 - 6:30-8:00pm Precepts 4 & 5
  8/28 - 6:30-8:00pm Precepts 6 & 7
  9/25 - 6:30-8:00pm Precepts 8 & 10
  10/12 - 9am - 1pm  Half-day retreat

  Teachers

  Our Tanto (Practice Leader), Kanho Chris Burkhart, is an ordained priest and was shuso, head student, in 2014 and completed her priest's training with Dharma Transmission in April 2019.
  
  

  IkuShun Desiree Webster has been a practitioner for many years and prior to her practice in the Soto Zen tradition practiced in the Plum Village tradition. She was shuso for the winter practice period 2023, and led the sangha on a journey through The Heart of the Buddha’s Teachings, bringing with her the flavor of Thich Nhat Hanh’s understanding. Her formal teacher is Ryushin Andrea Thach from the Berkeley Zen Center.

  Show details
• Japan Trip 2024

  • Start
    Thursday, April 04, 2024
  • End
    Thursday, April 18, 2024
  • Location
    Japan!
  • Spaces left
    0

  The sangha trip of a lifetime: two weeks exploring sacred sites in Japan
  updated 10/22 with more details about flights
  

  

  Thanks to the tireless efforts of trip leader Kando Rei Greene, working with Nomon Tim Burnett, and in consultation with several other wonderful supporters, our Japan trip has become clear! Join with an intimate sangha group in exploring the Japanese origins of our tradition. While centered on our Sōtō Zen tradition the trip will feature multiple Japanese religious traditions and immerse us in Japanese culture for two very rich weeks of exploration and practice.

  Total Cost: $2600 / person.

  Dates: April 4 - 18, 2024
  

  This cost includes pretty much everything during our two weeks together in Japan: lodging, most meals, in-country transportation, admissions fees, and costs of special events we'll do together. 

  Note that your airfare to Japan is not included. Bus transportation from Osaka Itami airport is Included if you fly into Osaka, Itami ITM, the international airport at the start of the trip. (Not Kansai KIX, sorry for any confusion.)

  Arriving flights:
  Arrive Osaka, Itami ITM airport, in time for our 8pm bus on April 4th. Note that due to the time change flying from North America you'll be leaving in the morning of April 3rd.  

  Departing flights:
  To take advantage of provided bus transport from our final stop at Hotel Hirashima in Katsura (Google Map) back to Osaka Itami airport on Thursday April 18th, book a flight leaving in the afternoon. Bus should arrive Osaka, Itami airport, by noon. Or stay the night in Osaka and leave on Friday morning. 

  Flights from Seattle:
  We see flights on 3 airlines from Seattle that may work: All Nipon Airlines (ANA), Delta Airlines, and United Airlines. Checking in mid-October fares range from $1300 to $1800 with the cheaper flights generally taking longer, sometimes much longer - we recommend keeping an eye on total trip duration. 

  Tim and Raizelah booked the following flight on Delta. Care to join us?

  Leaving Seattle 11:15am Wednesday April 3rd on Delta flight 167

  Arriving Tokyo-Haneda airport 2pm on Thursday April 4th.

  3 hour layover in Tokyo.

  Leaving Tokyo-Haneda at 5pm for a 6:10pm arrival on Thursday April 4th at Osaka-Itami. In time for 8pm pick up by our group bus.
  
  (connecting flight is on All Nipon ANA but booked as part of the Delta Itinerary.) 

  Things to remember as you book your flight:
  

  1) Time change - due to the time change leaving on April 3rd gets you to Japan on the 4th

  2) Travel time - pay attention to total length of the itinerary - flight searchs on the aggregator sites may list some with lower fared but you'll spend a LONG time getting there.

  3) Which airport in Osaka - we're arranging group bus transport from Osaka Itami airport (ITM) but it's not difficult to get from Osaka Kansai (KIX) to Kyoto on public transit. If you see a flight that's better for you to KIX that is an option.

  4) Share your Itinerary - let us know your travel plans once you have them!

  Deposit: a $500 deposit holds your spot. This deposit is "semi-refundable": if you cancel and we are able to fill your spot we will refund your deposit. If we are unable to it cannot be refunded. 
  

  Completing your Payments:

  There are two choices for paying the remaining $2100 to cover the costs of the Japan trip.

  1) Start a 6-month payment plan (initial payment of $350 and then just under $300/month, no interest). You must start this payment plan by the end of October so that it will complete before we leave.  

  Start your Payment Plan

  2) Pay the full amount of $2100 by March 1st, 2024. You may pay by credit card (just ask us to create an invoice) or if you are able to pay by check it will save us the 3% credit card processing fee. Mail your check to 

  Red Cedar Zen Community
  P.O. Box 5193
  Bellingham, WA 98227

  Have questions? Please email the trip leaders at japantrip@redcedarzen.org and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. 

  An Active Trip This trip does include walking and we will do our best to accommodate the bodies of all who wish to attend. Our Mt. Hiei tour and Kumano Kodo hiking pilgrimages involves walks (with day packs only) of 5 to 11 miles spread out over the day at a modest pace. Using local transport to reduce mileage is available in most cases. Please reach out to the trip leaders at  japantrip@redcedarzen.org to discuss your needs.

  Itinerary (follow the links for more details!)

  0) April 3 - Fly to Japan. If meeting the group bus at Osaka Itami ITM airport flights leave Seattle or Vancouver mid-day on Wednesday April 3rd to arrive in Japan on Thursday evening (note the 12 hour time change).

  1) April 4- flights arrive at Osaka Itami ITM airport in time to meet our chartered bus at 8pm taking us directly to our first hotel in Kyoto. Or arrive in country earlier and meet the group in Kyoto.

  2) April 5 - 9 - Explore Kyoto's many temples including a visit to nearby Mount Hiei where Dogen ordained in 1215. Highlights include a day spent with Mitsunaga Endo Dai-Ajari, marathon monk of Mt. Hiei, and a day with American-born Rinzai Zen monk and translator Yuho Thomas Kirschner practicing zazen at his temple Tenryu-ji plus a visit to the Daitoku-ji subtemple that was run by Ruth Fuller Sasaki, the first Western woman ordained as a Zen monk in the 1958. We'll also experience several temples and important sites along the Philosopher's Path and visit Kennin-ji, the first Zen temple in Japan where Dogen trained before departing for China.

  3) April 9-10 - Visit Eihei-ji, Dogen's temple and one of the two headquarters temple of Soto Zen in Japan. Our overnight stay will include a tour of the temple, experiencing Eihei-ji's morning service, and the opportunity to practice zazen in their guest zendo.

  4) April 10-12 - Visit Rinso-in, Suzuki roshi's temple in Yaizu, staying and meeting with Hoitsu and Shungo Suzuki, Shunryu Suzuki's son and grandson and their families.

  5) April 12-14 - Visit Koya-san, the beautiful mountain top headquarters temple of Shingon Buddhism where our friend Taijo Tanaka sensei of Seattle Koyasan temple trained. We will be staying at Rengejo-in, Taijo-san's master's temple.

  6) April 14 - 17 - Kumano Kodo hiking pilgrimage where we'll hike most of the Nakahechi route visiting all three of the Grand Shrines. We'll spend 3 days hiking (with daypacks, overnighting at inns) on this sacred pilgrimage route with Buddhist and Shinto sacred sites. 

  7) April 18 - fly out of Osaka (or stay longer for personal touring!)

  Pre-Trip Preparation

  Reading lists will be provided and we also hope to have several pre-trip study and discussion meetings over Zoom to help us all have the most interesting and valuable trip we can. Details will follow. For now here are some initial suggestions. 

  Draft Pre-Trip Reading List Suggestions

  Japanese Culture and Traditions via fiction

  Snow Country  - Yasunari Kawabata (1930s novel)
  Double Suicide - Chika
  Spring Snow - Yukio Mishima

  Japanese Culture and History - non-fiction

  Wrapping Culture - Joy Hendry- talks about layering of privacy and intimacy in Japanese culture
  Wind in the Pine - tea ceremony as a Buddhist path, poetry, beautifully written

  Japanese Buddhist Practice

  Bow First, Ask Questions Later: Ordination, Love, and Monastic Zen in Japan - Gesshin Claire Greenwood and Brad Warner (good intro to Japanese Buddhist temple culture)
  Eat Sleep Sit My Year at Japan's most Rigorous Zen Temple - Kaoro Nonomura (does show the harsh side of Zen training)

  Japanese Religious Figures / History

  Great Fool: Zen Master Ryōkan; Poems, Letters, and Other Writings - Ryokan, Ryuichi Abe
  Essays in Idleness and Hojoki - Kenko, Chōmei

  
  

  Show details
• Japan Trip: End of Trip Airport Bus

  • When
    Thursday, April 18, 2024
  •  
    7:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Location
    Osaka Itami Aiport, Japan

  Register

  Book a seat on our chartered bus taking us from Hotel Urashima in Katsuura on the morning of April 18th back to Osaka Itama aiport.

  Pick up at 7am (07:00 hours). Meeting at our hotel.

  4 hour bus ride should get us to Itami aiport at 11am (11:00 hours).

  For those on Japan Trip 2024 only. 

  Show details
• Dharma Studies: The Surangama Sutra

  • Start
    Monday, April 22, 2024
  •  
  • End
    Monday, May 27, 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    6 sessions
  • Location
    Online Zoom Zendo

  Register

  An Exploration of a Mahayana Classic

  

  
  

  Please join us for a six-week class on The Śūrańgama (Shurangama) Sutra as we explore the five skandhas - form, feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness - and how they are all transitory and void of a separate, independent self.  We will practice meditative understanding of the wondrous suchness of reality through the "matrix of the Thus Come One", the Buddha body contained in all things. This classic sutra allows us to explore our delusive thinking and helps us let go of our habitual patterns that we often mistake as solid and unchanging.

  
  

  
  

  Schedule: Monday evenings, 6:30pm - 8:00pm from April 22nd to May 27th.

  1. Monday, April 22, 2024, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
  2. Monday, April 29, 2024, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
  3. Monday, May 06, 2024, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
  4. Monday, May 13, 2024, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
  5. Monday, May 20, 2024, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
  6. Monday, May 27, 2024, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM 

  
  

  Location: Online in our Zoom Zendo.

  
  

  Texts for this class are: 

  1) The Śūrańgama Sutra, With Excerpts from the Commentary by the Venerable Master Hsūan Hua

  2) That is Not Your Mind by Robert Rosenbaum (highly recommended)

  
  

  
  

  Teachers: 

  

  
  

  Our Tanto (Practice Leader), Kanho Chris Burkhart, is an ordained priest and was shuso, head student, in 2014 and completed her priest's training with Dharma Transmission in April 2019.   

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  IkuShun Desiree Webster has been a practitioner for many years and prior to her practice in the Soto Zen tradition practiced in the Plum Village tradition. She was shuso for the 2023 winter practice period, and led the sangha on a journey through The Heart of the Buddha’s Teachings, bringing with her the flavor of Thich Nhat Hanh’s understanding. Her formal teacher is Ryushin Andrea Thach from the Berkeley Zen Center.                                         

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• Hike: Lake Whatcom Overlook Ceremony

  • When
    Saturday, May 11, 2024
  •  
    10:00 AM - 3:30 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    Carpool from the Cedarwood Zendo or meet at trailhead

  Register

  
  

  
  

  Lake Whatcom Overlook Ceremony

  • 4.8 milers round trip
  • 1,000' elevation gain
  • Steep trail through the forest, opening to huge views

  Join us as we explore a new hike, and experience the views of the lake, the surrounding hills, waterfalls, and giant old Douglas Fir trees. This hike is an experience of the midland foothills terrain of our area, between the shoreline hills and small mountains at the edge of the Salish Sea and the high alpine ridges and back country of Mt. Baker. Lake Whatcom is the gathering place for the drinking water of the entire City of Bellingham, and is an important marker in in our annual cycle of celebrating our local watershed.

  We'll return to Bellingham by about 3:30pm. 

  What to Bring: Bring lunch, rain gear if warranted, good walking shoes or boots, and at least two liters of water.

  Directions: Meet at 2509 Cedarwood in Bellingham or the Lake Whatcom Park trailhead.  You will specify your transportation plan during registration. Carpooling is an indoor "event" please consult our current Covid Policy.

  Timing: Be ready to leave Cedarwood at 9:15 am or to be met by the group at the trailhead at 10:00am. We hope to be back to Cedarwood at about 3:30pm but hiking times vary. 

  Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.

  Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. You can include a donation to the hike leader during registration or at any time through our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

  Show details
• May Cedarwood Work Party

  • When
    Sunday, May 12, 2024
  •  
    9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    2509 Cedarwood, Bellingham, WA

  Register

  Working Together on Our New Home

  Join sangha in making some progress on our Cedarwood Zendo building as we await the start of major construction in 2024.

  Arriving later than the start time is just fine. Please come when you can, and bring a snack or a sack lunch if you would like to stay all day.

  Please RSVP so we know how many people to expect.

  Each day will include indoor and outdoor work.

  Please bring garden pruning/cutting tools and gloves if you have them.
  

  We hope to see you there! Check below for a video tour of our new building.
  

  Location: The new zendo is at 2509 Cedarwood, Bellingham, WA, near the intersection of Cedarwood and Northwest Avenue. 
  

  Click here for Google Map.

  Show details
• One Day Sit: No Gaining Idea

  • When
    Saturday, June 01, 2024
  •  
    7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St, Bellingham and Online on Zoom

  Register

  
  

  One Day Sits are an opportunity for sustained quiet practice together in sangha and a great way to learn more about formal Zen practice.

  The day begins early, as is traditional in Zen training, and includes periods of sitting meditation (zazen), walking meditation (kinhin), the morning service ritual, two silent breakfast and lunch (eaten buffet style), a Dharma talk, opportunity for a private interview with the teacher (dokusan), and a question and answer time that’s especially helpful for newer sitters.

  Note that our One Day Sits are bit less formal and rigorous than our Zen Sesshin. One Day Sits include more instruction and the opportunity for quiet social connection during the meal breaks. 

   The day of practice is also available online via Zoom.

  Schedule: The One Day Sit schedule runs from 7:00am to 3:00pm with a vegetarian breakfast and lunch provided. The full schedule is available here. 

  Registration: Registration is required. If you are attending in-person, for the safety of everyone you'll need to follow our current COVID protocols.

  NOTE: Following the one day sit, from 3:00pm to 5:00 pm, Nomon Tim will be performing the completion of training ceremony for Ryushin Kate Korn-McKenna.  We kindly invite you to join us for the intimate ceremony and celebration of Ryushin Kate by registering separately here.  This will allow us to plan accordingly.

  Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett will offer a Dharma Talk, opportunity for private dokusan (discussion of practice), and a Question and Answer session about Zen practice.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  More options for Sits, Retreats, and Sesshin
  

  Show details
• Completion of Training Ceremony for Ryushin Kate Korn-McKenna

  • When
    Saturday, June 01, 2024
  •  
    3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    @ Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St, Bellingham

  Register

  Celebrate Ryushin Kate Korn-McKenna's practice and service to our sangha

  
  

  The sangha is warmly invited in support of a Completion of Training Ceremony (Menjuhai: "Face-to-Face Bow of Transmission") for Ryushin Kate Korn-McKenna.

  At this ceremony Ryushin Kate will receive her gray rakusu and a certificate of completion of training from Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett.

  The ceremony commemorates Ryushin Kate's many years of Zen practice and  devoted service to Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

  This intimate ceremony will be immediately followed by a potluck reception and tea. Please bring finger food and warm hearts. 

  
  

  Show details
• Opening to Nature Walk: 100 Acre Wood

  • When
    Sunday, June 02, 2024
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Fairhaven Park, 107 Chuckanut Drive, Bellingham
  • Spaces left
    10

  Register

  A mindful hike through Fairhaven's charming 100 Acre Wood. 

  

  • 2.5 miles
  • easy terrain with only slight elevation gain/loss
  • soft forested trails

  This wonderful extension of Fairhaven Park, also known as the Chuckanut Community Forest, is a wetland forest  filled with Douglas firs, tall cedars and cottonwoods. Bird and plant life are rich and diverse as are the many "social trails" lovers of this area have created. Walking together we'll enjoy a wandering loop of about 2.5 miles on mostly flat terrain.

  We'll start at the Upper Fairhaven Park Pavilion, then proceed up and down the trails viewing large cedars and firs and hemlocks, and even forest gnomes should they decide to show. We'll visit Se'Si'Le (the 100 Acre Woods' "Grandmother Cedar" tree) and pause for a brief ceremony and a snack, then head back through the woods. Some may wish to walk the Fairhaven Labyrinth at the end (optional).

  The hiking is a moderate, winding, walk on a network of park and local trails, gently up and down, with a few short, steep, sections. We anticipate it will take about two hours. Please bring water and snacks, and a hiking stick or poles if you use them.

  Timing: Meet at the Upper Fairhaven Park Pavilion near the tennis courts at 10am. Parking is limited there, you may need to park in the lot near the entrance and walk up. We expect to return around noon. Bring a bag lunch and stay for an optional sangha social time after the silent walk if you choose.

  What to Bring: Bring a trail snack and water. Trails can be muddy, consider hiking boots. Dress for the weather. Bring a sack lunch if you'd like to stay and eat together after the walk.

  Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.

  Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. You can include a donation to the hike leader during registration or at any time through our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

  Show details
• June Cedarwood Work Party

  • When
    Saturday, June 08, 2024
  •  
    9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    2509 Cedarwood, Bellingham, WA

  Register

  Working Together on Our New Home

  Join sangha in making some progress on our Cedarwood Zendo building as we await the start of major construction in 2024.

  Arriving later than the start time is just fine. Please come when you can, and bring a snack or a sack lunch if you would like to stay all day.

  Please RSVP so we know how many people to expect.

  Each day will include indoor and outdoor work.

  Please bring garden pruning/cutting tools and gloves if you have them.
  

  We hope to see you there! Check below for a video tour of our new building.
  

  Location: The new zendo is at 2509 Cedarwood, Bellingham, WA, near the intersection of Cedarwood and Northwest Avenue. 
  

  Click here for Google Map.

  Show details
• Samish Island Sesshin 2024

  • Start
    Friday, June 14, 2024
  •  
    5:00 PM (PDT)
  • End
    Saturday, June 22, 2024
  •  
    12:00 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    Samish Island Campground, 11565 Scott Rd Bow WA 98232 and Online on Zoom
  • Spaces left
    1

  Register

  

  Join us for our annual 7-day (8 nights) silent Zen sesshin with Zoketsu Norman Fischer at this beautiful church camp on the water on Samish Island in the Skagit Valley. 

  The retreat includes dharma talks by Zoketsu Norman and Nomon Tim, dokusan and practice discussion, sitting and walking meditation, and delicious vegetarian meals. Sesshin is a deep time for practice and reflection with the support of sangha and teachers.

  New in 2024: Zoom online attendance. Access the full zendo schedule (zazen, kinhin, dharma talks, rituals) on Zoom. Dokusan and events outside of the zendo will not be available online. It is fine to come and go from Zoom attendance as your schedule allows.

  Our Covid Safety policy at the time of the retreat will be required. Details will be sent by email closer to the time.

  Schedule:
  You may attend the entire retreat, or the first or second half. Second half attendance is only appropriate to those who have sat sesshin with us at Samish before. We are unable to offer other attendance choices. Signing up is making a commitment to be part of the retreat for the entire period you signed up for. 

  Full Retreat - Friday 5pm to Saturday at noon

  First Half - Friday 5pm to Tuesday at 5pm

  Second Half - Tuesday at 5pm to Saturday at noon.

  Schedule: You may view the Full Schedule Here.

  Prerequisites & Requirements
  This is a rigorous and structured experience. To benefit from being at Samish Sesshin please abide by the following requirements.

  • You should have attended at least one full day formal meditation retreat before attending this 7-day, 8-night, retreat. Please do not register if you have never sat a full day of formal meditation (in Zen or other traditions is fine).
    
    
  • If you have never attended Samish sesshin please start at the beginning by attending the full retreat or the first half, and do not attend just the second half. Orientation and instructions are offered at the beginning only.
    
    
  • No attendance options other than the three listed above can be accommodated. 
    
    
  • This is a silent retreat without talking, reading, writing, computer or cell phone use. Please be prepared to follow this guideline fully.
    
    
  • Following the full schedule is a core practice of Zen. Some alternate schedules can be arranged with the Ino in cases of health and other needs.
    
    
  • Plan on remaining at Samish Island camp during the entire time of your sesshin attendance, not leaving for errands or appointments, etc.

  Housing: Housing is provided with four options: E-Cabins, Rustic Cabins, RV Camping, and Tent Camping. 

  E-Cabins are more recently built with a full bath shared with one other room. E-Cabins are in short supply in this retreat. Please choose a rustic cabin if that is possible for you in order to leave the E-cabins for those with health challenges. Consider sharing an E-cabin to that more people can enjoy them.

  e-Cabin Exterior

  e-Cabin Interior

  Rustic Cabins - simple plywood cabins built in the 1950's. Camp style bathrooms in a separate building. Most rustic housing will be single (not shared), however if couples or friends are willing to share a cabin this can make a difference in accommodating everyone if the sesshin is full.

  Rustic Cabin, exterior

  Rustic cabin, interior

  RV Camping - if you would like to sleep in your own camper, van, or trailer use the RV Camping option. Full hook-ups are available, but there is no difference in charge whether you the hook-up or not. Please do not choose the tenting option if you are sleeping in a vehicle.

  Tent - you can bring a tent and camp on the lawn. The lowest cost option.

  Dates and Cancellation

  • May 15 - Last day to cancel with full refund. Full payment due.
  • June 1 - Registration Closes. Last day to cancel with partial refund. Incomplete (unpaid) registrations will be cancelled at this time to make room for people on the waitlist.

  See also the Red Cedar Cancellation Policy

  Scholarships

  Scholarships are available in the Rustic Cabins. They cover one quarter or one half of retreat costs, on a first-come first-served basis. No need to apply, simply choose a scholarship option if that is right for you.

  Samish Island Campground

  We have rented the Community of Christ's wonderful camp at the eastern end of Samish Island for thirty years for our residential retreats. A wonderful place of practice where sea meets sky.

  11565 Scott Rd, Bow, WA 98232
  Map and Directions

  Getting to Samish

  There is no public transportation to Samish Island. We are not providing an airport shuttle this year. If you need a ride please contact the registrar at registrar@redcedarzen.org and we will do our best to help.
  
  You can get yourself to Samish from SeaTac airport in this way: (1) take the Bellair Airporter Shuttle to Burlington and (2) take Uber, Lyft or Quick Cab the remainder of the distance to Samish.

  REGISTER

  Show details
• Opening to Nature Walk: Stimpson Family Nature Reserve

  • When
    Saturday, June 29, 2024
  •  
    7:00 AM - 10:30 AM
  • Location
    Stimpson Family Nature Preserve, Bellingham

  Register

  A mindful early morning silent hike through old-growth forest and thriving wetland ecosystem at Stimpson Family Nature Reserve. 

  Two large trees, a Red Cedar and Douglas Fir, are wrapped in an embrace

  • 4.9 miles
  • 300' total elevation gain
  • gently rolling and flat, soft forest trails

  We'll walk slowly and silently as we circumambulate the 350 acre reserve, with a short detour around Geneva Pond. Total distance is 4.9 miles, and with our slow pace and occasional pauses is expected to take about 3 hours. This hike is styled as a silent contemplative walk with very little ritual, an early morning mindful experience of the bird song and plants of these beautiful summer lowland woods.

  The hike will be led by Terrill Thompson who lives nearby

  Directions: From Bellingham, take Lakeway Drive toward Lake Whatcom,  but turn right onto Lake Louise Road before you get to the lake. In about 2 miles, the well-signed trailhead parking lot is on your left.

  Timing: Meet at Stimpson Reserve Parking lot on Lake Louise Road at 7:00am. Expected return time from the hike is approximately 10:30am. 

  What to Bring: Bring trail snacks, water, and walking shoes.

  Carpooling: Please mention in a comment on your registration if you need to  a ride and we will try to assist.

  Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.

  Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. You can include a donation to the hike leader during registration or at any time through our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

  
  

  Show details
• July Cedarwood Work Party

  • When
    Sunday, July 07, 2024
  •  
    9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    2509 Cedarwood, Bellingham, WA

  Register

  Working Together on Our New Home

  Join sangha in making some progress on our Cedarwood Zendo building as we await the start of major construction in 2024.

  Arriving later than the start time is just fine. Please come when you can, and bring a snack or a sack lunch if you would like to stay all day.

  Please RSVP so we know how many people to expect.

  Each day will include indoor and outdoor work.

  Please bring garden pruning/cutting tools and gloves if you have them.
  

  We hope to see you there! Check below for a video tour of our new building.
  

  Location: The new zendo is at 2509 Cedarwood, Bellingham, WA, near the intersection of Cedarwood and Northwest Avenue. 
  

  Click here for Google Map.

  Show details
• Hike: Opening the Mountains

  • When
    Saturday, July 13, 2024
  •  
    8:30 AM - 5:30 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    Carpool from Cedarwood Zendo or Nugent's Corner

  Register

  Our full day mountain hike to open the mountains to practice.

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  • 7 mile round-trip
  • 1,500' elevation gain
  • Uphill the whole way, at a fairly consistent grade, level around the lakes, and steeper for the final section to the ridge. Good well-built trail, soft forest path lower down, open and rocky trail up above.

  Join us for a meditation hike above the tree line near Mount Baker - our first mindful foray of the season into the high mountains.

  Excelsior Divide, which we will reach via Damfino Lakes, is a beautiful subalpine ridge partially covered in early season snowfields and avalanche lilies. This will be our place of Opening the Mountains for the beginning of our ritual high-country hiking season.   

  This hike is inspired by traditions on Tibetan sacred mountains where the first ritual circuit of the season was performed by priests waking up the mountain deities.

  The trail can be muddy at this time of the year so, depending on the advance of the season, you may want to bring gaiters for snow in the forested upper portions.  But although there could be some hard snow it will also be mostly clear on the open ridge. 

  What to Bring: Bring lunch, rain gear, good walking shoes or boots, and at least two liters of water.

  Directions: Meet at 2509 Cedarwood in Bellingham or the Nugent's Corner Market in Deming. You will specify your transportation plan during registration.

  Timing: Be ready to leave Cedarwood at 8:30am or to be met by the group at 9:30am at Nugent's Corner. We hope to be back to Cedarwood at about 5:30pm but hiking times vary.

  Carpooling: Please mention in a comment on your registration if you need to  a ride and we will try to assist. Carpooling is an indoor "event" please consult our current Covid Policy.

  Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.

  Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. You can include a donation to the hike leader during registration or at any time through our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

  Show details
• Opening to Nature Walk: Old Growth Meditation

  • When
    Saturday, August 03, 2024
  •  
    9:30 AM - 3:30 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    Carpool from the Cedarwood Zendo or Nugent's Corner

  Register

  Sitting with the Old Ones

  

  • 1/4 mile
  • Level
  • Stepping over a few big logs

  Join the sangha for a Zen experience in the Old Growth forest remnant off of Mount Baker Highway. This spot is the home to the oldest living beings of our local area.  We make this visit annually to connect with the wisdom and peace of the grove.

  After our easy walk, meditation and ritual in the Old Growth grove, we'll stop at Nooksack Falls with a sack lunch at the largest waterfall in our watershed. We'll return to Bellingham by about 3:30pm. 

  What to Bring: Bring lunch, rain gear, good walking shoes or boots, and at least two liters of water.

  Directions: Meet at 2509 Cedarwood in Bellingham or the Nugent's Corner Market in Deming. Carpooling is required, there is no extra parking at the trailhead.You will specify your transportation plan during registration. Carpooling is an indoor "event" please consult our current Covid Policy.

  Timing: Be ready to leave Cedarwood at 9:30am or to be met by the group at 10:30am at Nugent's Corner. We hope to be back to Cedarwood at about 3:30pm but hiking times vary. 

  Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.

  Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. You can include a donation to the hike leader during registration or at any time through our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

  Show details
• Opening to Nature Walk: Lake Padden

  • When
    Saturday, August 17, 2024
  •  
    8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  • Location
    Lake Padden, Bellingham

  Register

  A mindful twilight walk at Lake Padden

  

  • 2-1/2 miles
  • Slight elevation gain and then loss at about the halfway point
  • Wide gravel or hard dirt city park trail

  Join us for a twilight program of mindful walking through the change between day and night around the wooded shores of Lake Padden. Our Opening to Nature series explores the wide variety of connections we have with our world. Every day the drama of nightfall is recreated, and yet we rarely pause to notice the daily transition at the margins of light. In our engagement with mindfulness as a place-based dharma practice we take deeper notice of this world and it's everyday miracles. The fall of night is just one of these small celebrations that nature offers to us each day.

  This is an easy two and a half mile walk, with a slightly hilly portion, taken at a contemplative pace with several stops along the way to feel the unfolding of night, and hear the transition of diurnal sounds. If we are lucky we may hear the calling of owls, and call back, or hear the final stanzas of birds going to roost.

  You may want to bring a headlamp in case you feel you need it. But we will attempt to not turn white lights on, and let our eyes slowly adjust to the dark as we walk, using red light luminaries to light our path just well enough, and protect our night vision. We will provide the red lights. Some water and a little trail snack might be nice to have along as well.

  What to Bring: Water and a light trail snack; an extra layer to wear as it cools down; and a headlamp in case we need them at the end (a phone flashlight is ok).

  Directions: Take the West Entrance into Lake Padden City Park, directly off of Samish Way, to the parking area by the bathrooms just above the swimming area. (Don't take the East Entrance onto Lakeshore Drive which leads to the larger picnic area & golf course).

  Meet at the east end of the bathroom building.

  Timing: We'll begin our walk at 8:00pm and expect to be back at the parking lot no later than 10 pm (sunset will be at 8:19 pm with full dark as we close).

  Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.

  Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. You can include a donation to the hike leader during registration or at any time through our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

  Show details
• Backpack: Mountains and Rivers Retreat

  • Start
    Friday, September 06, 2024
  •  
    6:00 PM (PDT)
  • End
    Wednesday, September 11, 2024
  •  
    7:00 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    Hawk Meadow Farm 1102 E. Kelly Rd, Bellingham and Mount Baker Wilderness
  • Spaces left
    9

  Register

  Nature Awareness, Backcountry Zen practice, and Exchanging Water

  • Requires a phone interview about your experience and abilities, with a discussion of the route, to complete the registration process
  • 2.9 mile approach hike, river crossing on log, 1,800' elevation gain, soft forested trail
  • Day hiking to higher elevations from camp, alpine above timberline, several miles
  • 9 mile exit hike, 2,300' elevation loss, soft forested trails, rocky areas, river crossing on log

  

  Inspired by Eihei Dogen's 1240AD text the Mountains and Rivers Sutra (Sansuikyo), this retreat includes a day of guided nature awareness and meditation in the front-country followed by four days and three nights of silent backpacking through a beautiful old growth hemlock forest to a seldom-visited base camp at Mazama Park, just south of Mount Baker at the foot of Park Butte. Our days will be interspersed with some social and free time.

  Activities include traditional Zen practice, a solo wilderness exercise, a day of Zen meditation, and opportunities for day hiking. The retreat is appropriate for new meditators and beginning backpackers.

  The retreat begins at Hawk Meadow Farm with a day of meditation, preparation, and nature awareness activities.  The ritual form of the backpack is a pilgrimage to our home mountain, "sutra mapping" the Sansuikyo on the upper watersheds of the South and Middle Forks of the Nooksack River.

  Led by Reizan Bob Penny & Nomon Tim Burnett - see our Practice Leaders page for more about them.

  Schedule:
  

  Friday: Arrive in the late afternoon for dinner, a bit of meditation, and settling in two nights of camping on the farm.

  Saturday: shift gears with nature awareness practices, packing up the group gear, and end with an evening of Zen meditation practice.

  Sunday: we’ll start early with meditation, drive to the trailhead, and hike in to our backcountry zendo at Mazama Meadows just below Mount Baker. We hike in silence with regular stops to chant the Sansuikyo.

  Monday & Tuesday: in the backcountry with a mix of formal Zen practice, day hiking, and relaxed camp life. A personal solo morning at your own meditation spot on one of the days.

  Wednesday: we’ll hike back out from the backcountry returning to Hawk Meadow Farm to close the program by about 7pm.

  Hike Difficulty:
  This is a moderately challenging backpack. The hike in is 2.9 miles long and gains 1,800 feet. The hike out (with lighter packs) is about 9 miles and mostly downhill. We'll have two in-camp days with moderate day hiking as well.

  Pre-hike interview required:  A telephone interview with Bob to assess questions around hiking gear and fitness is required before registration is completed.

  More information: Please contact Wilderness Programs Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org with questions and see our Wilderness Dharma Program webpage for an overview of this program.
  

  Timing: Meet at Hawk Meadow Farm (1102 E. Kelly Road, Bellingham) by 6pm on Friday. Plan to be back at Hawk Meadow between 6pm and 7pm on the following Wednesday.

  What to Bring: Full set of backpacking gear. All food is provided with the registration fee (informed by a discussion of individual preferences and needs). Details will be provided.

  Donations to the Leaders: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. Unlike our "indoor" retreats dana (teacher donation) is not collected during the event, but dana given before or after the event is always welcome, and you can do so on our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program. 

  Show details
• Hike: Journey to the Source (Nooksack Cirque)

  • When
    Saturday, September 21, 2024
  •  
    5:00 AM - 7:00 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    Carpool from the Cedarwood Zendo or Nugent's Corner

  Register

  An intensive long day hike to the source of the Nooksack River

  • a phone interview is required to complete your registration
  • 12 miles
  • Very gradual elevation gain, basically flat
  • Extremely rugged off-trail walking over logs, boulders, and sandbars for at least half the distance. Many stream crossings. The hike takes 12 hours on the trail, moving at a decent pace, and is very strenuous.

  

  A journey to a magical place close to home. Few people venture to the very upper reaches of the North Fork of the Nooksack River: the Nooksack Cirque.

  It is a long and strenuous 12-mile hike in and out of the North Fork drainage, largely off-trail on rocky terrain, with numerous brief crossings of the reduced-flow late summer river channel. Plan on a very full day, hiking at a good pace, and wearing hiking boots with wool socks.

  At the Cirque we will perform the years final Exchanging Water ritual in the ice caves amid waterfalls, transferring water from the Salish Sea with mountain glacial water, which we annually perform at the headwaters of all three branches of the Nooksack.

  A Challenging Hike: If you are new to this hike a telephone or email exchange with program coordinator Bob Penny to determine your fitness for the journey will be required to complete your registration.

  Timing: Meet at our zendo at 2509 Cedarwood at 5am or at the Nugent's Corner Market in Deming at 6am. A very early start is essential to have sufficient daylight for this long day hike. We hope to return to Cedarwood by 7pm but return times can vary.

  What to Bring: Bring a lunch, generous snacks, at least two liters of water, and layers. Wearing hiking boots to protect your ankles with wool socks which we expect to get wet are recommended. Spare/dry clothing to change into back at the vehicles is a good option.

  Carpooling: You will indicate during registration where you're meeting the group. Note that carpooling is an indoor "activity" to please be aware of our current Covid Policies.

  Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.

  Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. You can include a donation to the hike leader during registration or at any time through our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

  Show details
• Opening to Nature Walk: Heart Lake Circumambulation/Heart Sutra

  • When
    Saturday, October 05, 2024
  •  
    10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Carpool from the Cedarwood Zendo or meet at trailhead near Mt. Erie

  Register

  Chanting & Walking the Heart Sutra at Heart Lake

  • 3 miles
  • mostly level, gently rolling, with a steady 1/4 mile long incline near the end
  • soft forest paths, old growth forest

  Join Red Cedar Zen Community on a ritual circumambulation around Heart Lake, with ceremonies chanting the Heart Sutra: an experience of "Sutra Mapping", extending the words of a sutra across an area of landscape.

  Heart Lake, a State Park managed by the City of Anacortes, is both heart-shaped and the heart of the 3,000-acre Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL). The Lake is surrounded by a forest identified as the most intact Douglas-fir / cedar / hemlock ecosystem remaining in the state at sea level. Sangha board president Joden Bob Rose was a key player in getting this area protected many years ago.

  We will walk in a clockwise direction, in silence, and stop at 6 points to ritually chant the Heart Sutra with mokugyo and incense, alternating between the English and Sino-Japanese versions.

  This is an easy, mostly flat walk of less than 3 miles on a well-used trail with one significant incline toward the end. There are outhouses at both the Mt. Erie parking lot and at the Heart Lake parking lot.

  Timing: Meet at the Sugarloaf Trailhead of the Anacortes Community Forest (Mt. Erie) to begin our walk at 10am. Or if carpooling from our zendo at Cedarwood, meet at 9am.

  Carpooling:  You can drive yourself to the trailhead (directions below), or you can carpool for this trip from the our 2509 Cedarwood zendo in Bellingham. You will indicate which during the registration process. Note that carpooling is an indoor "activity" - please be aware of our current Covid Policy.

  What to Bring: Bring a trail snack and water. Wear good walking shoes, appropriate clothing for the weather, and bring water and snacks.

  Lunch Option: After the hike, if participants choose, there will be an opportunity to have lunch together very nearby in Anacortes at an outdoor seating restaurant.

  Directions to Mt. Erie, from Bellingham:

  • I-5 to Hwy 20

  • West on 20, over Swinomish Channel Bridge until roundabout for Whidbey Island (towards Oak Harbor).

  • TURN South on Hwy 20 towards Whidbey.

  • Road drops towards Campbell Lake (visible ahead).  Stay in right lane and turn right on Campbell Lake Road.

  • Drive Campbell Lake Road along base of Mount Erie.

  • Road will curve right at Lake Erie Grocery and becomes Heart Lake Road.

  • Drive Heart Lake road, past two prominent old growth fir, about a mile until signs for Mount Erie.

  • Veer right into parking area for Sugarloaf trailhead.

  Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.

  Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. You can include a donation to the hike leader during registration or at any time through our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

  Show details
• Two events: Closing the Mountains Hike/Returning Water Ceremony

  • When
    Saturday, October 19, 2024
  •  
    10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    Carpool from the Cedarwood Zendo or meet at trailhead

  Register

  Returning Water and Ascending to the Oyster Dome

  

   A five mile day hike to close the mountains to practice

  Join us for one, or both, of two connected Wilderness Dharma events.

  The Hike: 10am - 3pm - Chuckanut Drive to the Oyster Dome

  • 5 miles round trip
  • 1,000' elevation gain, and then loss
  • well-built soft forest trail

  Join us for a meditation hike to the gem of the Chuckanuts: Oyster Dome. This popular local destination, a prominent rocky outcrop on the southwest face of Blanchard mountain, will be our place of Closing the Mountains for the ending of our ritual hiking season.   

  This hike, inspired by traditions on Tibetan sacred mountains where the last ritual circuit of the season was performed by priests putting the mountain to rest, will be a 5 mile round trip with about a 1,000’ elevation gain. On the dome we will perform a ritual combining water from the three headwater branches of the Nooksack River. At the end of the hike we will carpool to Larrabee Beach for our seasons final ritual, returning water to the Salish Sea.

  Returning Water Ceremony: Approximately 3pm, Larrabee State Park

  • 1/2 mile, round trip, path to the beach
  • 200' elevation loss, then gain
  • many stair steps going down, and then back up

  A returning water ritual completes our Wilderness Dharma Program hiking season and all are encouraged to attend to offer the water we have carried through out the season back to the Salish Sea. You are welcome attend this ritual even if you did not do the hike.

  Meeting up: You can meet us for the hike at the Chuckanut Drive Oyster Dome Trailhead (just south of Oyster Creek) by 10am or opt to carpool from the our Cedarwood Zendo in Bellingham, meeting at 9:15am for the drive to the trailhead.

  If you are joining us for the ritual at the end we will arrive there at approximately 3pm at the band shell area at Larrabee State Park. Take the main entrance and head south to the band shell and beach access parking area. Take the Larrabee main entrance and head south to the band shell and beach access parking area.

  Dress appropriately for the weather, with good footwear for the trail.  Bring a sack lunch and at least two liters of water. We will eat lunch on top of the dome.

  What to Bring: Trail snacks and sack lunch, sturdy hiking shoes, hiking poles if you use them, and two liters of water. Dress in layers.

  Carpooling: Please mention in a comment on your registration if you need to  a ride and we will try to assist. Carpooling is an indoor "activity" - please be aware of our current Covid Policy. 

  Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.

  Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. Unlike our "indoor" retreats dana (teacher donation) is not collected during the event, but dana given before or after the event is always welcome, and you can do so on our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program. 

  Show details
• Samish Island Fall Sesshin 2024

  • Start
    Thursday, November 07, 2024
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • End
    Sunday, November 10, 2024
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • Location
    Samish Island Campground, 11565 Scott Rd Bow WA 98232 and Online on Zoom

  Register

  Join us for our Fall 3-day Residential Sesshin at Samish Island

  

  This 3-day residential sesshin will include all of our meals eaten oryoki style, alternating periods of zazen (sitting) and kinhin (walking) meditation, Dharma Talks, and a special sangha celebration.

  
  

  Schedule: (read the Full Schedule).

  Arrive Thursday afternoon to settle in, eat your own packed in dinner, and begin silence.

  Friday and Saturday will be full sesshin days 6am to 8:30pm with alternating zazen and kinhin, meals, Dharma Talks, opportunities for dokusan with the teachers, and a work period.

  On Sunday we'll have our jukai ceremony at 10:30 in the morning, an informal lunch, clean up the camp and be out by 4pm. 

  Now on Zoom:
  Zoom attendance at all zendo events is now available. We're unable to provide dokusan over Zoom due to internet limitations at Samish.

  Special Ceremony:
  Sunday at 10:30am: Jukai, Receiving the Precepts, Ceremony for several sangha members. You may attend the jukai separately.

  Meals:
  You will need a 3-bowl Oryoki set at this retreat. Instruction on Oryoki eating will be provided, no problem if you've never eaten oryoki before. You can purchase a set from our friends at Still Sitting (please order the Navy Blue cloths). Red Cedar Zen is not able to provide loaner oryoki sets at this time.

  Teachers & Dharma Talks:
  

  Everyone is welcome to come join us for Dharma Talks either in person or online. Be aware of our current Covid policy if you come. No registration needed.

  Friday, 10:30am Nomon Tim Burnett

  Saturday, 10:30am Kanho Chris Burkhart

  Kanho Chris Burkhart is the Head of Practice at Red Cedar Zen Community.	Nomon Tim Burnett is the Guiding Teacher of Red Cedar Zen Community

  
  

  Housing: Housing is provided with two options: E-Cabins and Rustic Cabins.

  E-Cabins are more recently built with a full bath shared with one other room. E-Cabins are in short supply in this retreat. Please choose a rustic cabin if that is possible for you in order to leave the E-cabins for those with health challenges. Or consider sharing an E-cabin. 

  e-Cabin Exterior

  e-Cabin Interior

  Rustic Cabins - simple plywood cabins built in the 1950's. Camp style bathrooms in a separate building. Most rustic housing will be single (not shared), however if couples or friends are willing to share a cabin this can make a difference in accommodating everyone if the sesshin is full.

  Rustic Cabin, exterior

  Rustic cabin, interior

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• Samish Island Sesshin 2025 - Save the Date

  • Start
    Friday, June 13, 2025
  •  
    5:00 PM (PDT)
  • End
    Saturday, June 21, 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM (PDT)
  • Location
    Samish Island Campground, 11565 Scott Rd Bow WA 98232
  • Spaces left

  Save the dates for the 2025 sesshin:
  June 13 - June 21, 2025

  Registration will be open in early 2025

  Our annual 7-day (8 nights) silent Zen sesshin with Zoketsu Norman Fischer with talks and interview also available with Nomon Tim Burnett and others, includes seven days and eight nights of silent practice of sitting and walking meditation in this beautiful church camp on the water on Samish Island in the Skagit Valley. Retreat includes dharma talks by Norman and other Northwest teachers, dokusan and practice discussion, sitting and walking meditation, and delicious vegetarian meals. A deep time for practice and reflection with the support of sangha and teachers.
  

  Many photos of Samish are available on our Photos page.

  The following information is from a past Samish sesshin to give you an overview before registration opens.

  To keep current on this and all our events, please join our email list!

  Schedule:
  You may attend the entire retreat, or the first or second half. Second half attendance is only appropriate to those who have sat sesshin with us before. We are unable to offer other attendance choices. Signing up is making a commitment to be part of the retreat for the entire period you signed up for.

  

  Full Retreat - Friday 5:00pm to Saturday  at noon

  First Half - Friday  5:00pm to Tuesday at 5pm

  Second Half - Tuesday at 5pm to Saturday at noon.

  Prerequisites & Requirements
  This is a rigorous and structured experience. To benefit from being at Samish Sesshin please abide by the following requirements.

  • You should have attended at least one full day formal meditation retreat before attending this 7-day, 8-night, retreat. Please do not register if you have never sat a full day of formal meditation (in Zen or other traditions is fine).
  • If you have never attended Samish sesshin please start at the beginning by attending the full retreat or the first half, and do not attend just the second half.
    Orientation and instructions are offered at the beginning only.
  • No attendance options other than the three listed above can be accommodated. 
  • This is a silent retreat without talking, reading, writing, computer or cell phone use. Please be prepared to follow this guideline fully.
  • Following the full schedule is a core practice of Zen. Some alternate schedules can be arranged with the Ino in cases of health and other needs.
  • Plan on remaining at Samish Island camp during the entire time of your sesshin attendance, not leaving for errands or appointments, etc., and remaining at the camp through final clean up at noon on Saturday unless illness or unavoidable travel arrangements prevent this.

  Housing:
  Housing is provided with three options:

  E-Cabins are recently built multi-room cabins with a bath shared with one other room. E-Cabins are in short supply in this retreat. Please choose a rustic cabin if that is possible for you in order to leave the e-cabins for those with health challenges. Or consider sharing an e-cabin. 

  e-Cabin Exterior

  e-Cabin Interior

  Rustic Cabins - simple plywood cabins built in the 1950's. Camp style bathrooms in a separate building. Most rustic housing will be private (not shared), however if couples or friends are willing to share a cabin this can make a difference in accommodating everyone if the sesshin is full.
  

  Rustic Cabin, exterior

  Rustic cabin, interior

  RV Site with Hook-Ups - are available.

  Tent - you can bring a tent and camp on the lawn. A lower cost option.

  Samish Island Campground

  We have rented the Community of Christ's wonderful camp at the eastern end of Samish Island for over a twenty-five years for our residential retreats. A wonderful place where sea meets sky.

  11565 Scott Rd, Bow, WA 98232
  Map and Directions

  Show details