Formal Zen Training

Formal Zen training includes our Sunday sessions, and all intensive retreats. Periods of sitting are twenty-five minutes in length, punctuated by five-minute periods of walking practice. Sitting, walking, chanting, ritual Zen meals, care-taking practice, and one-on-one meetings with Ven. Eshu create a dynamic matrix of practice through which we may begin to realize the vastness our True potential.

*Orientation by way of consultation or Orientation to Zen Buddhist Practice is a prerequisite for Formal Zen training at the Sooke Zendo.

Intensive Preparation Course

If you have successfully developed a stable daily practice of Zen meditation as a member of the Victoria Zen Centre, and are wondering how to go further with our Sangha, this course is your next step. Participants will be introduced to the subtleties and differences involved in intensive training, and will receive an orientation to, and experience of, practices that are specific to intensive training in the Zen tradition. The Intensive Preparation course is the gateway to deepening your practice.

Intensive Preparation courses in 2010 will be held on:
Download Course Outline

Saturday mornings 9:00-11:30am
March 6 & 13
June 5 & 12
November 13 & 20

Monday evenings 7:00-9:30pm
October 18 & 25

Fundamentals of Zen

Building on the foundation of training established through the Introduction to Zen Meditiation Course you will be introduced to some of the fundamental teachings of Zen Buddhism. Group activities and training assignments ask that we take these teachings out of our head and engage them in the day to day unfolding of our lives. Download the Fundamentals of Zen Course Outline

Alternating Thursday evenings 7:30-9:30 pm
May 20, 27, June 3, 10
September 9, 16, 23, 30
Location: Main Zendo, Sooke.

Training Meetings

Maintaining Formal Zen training while leading a busy life with a family and career can be difficult. If you aren't able to make it to the Zendo as often as you would like, one way of supporting your daily home practice is to schedule Training Meetings with Ven. Eshu. This is an opportunity to investigate your practice in an intimate one-on-one environment with our resident monk.

Click here for rates and guidelines.

Monthly one-day intensive

The schedule for our silent one-day intensive runs from 6am to 5pm, and includes sitting, walking, chanting, meal practice, and a period of care taking. Ven. Eshu gives a Zen talk during the mid-morning sitting, and conducts one-on-one meetings with each student.

Five-day intensives

Our longer intensives on Saturna Island feature an extended schedule, which runs from 4am to 9pm. These silent retreats include sitting, walking, chanting, meal practice, and a period of care taking. Ven. Eshu gives a Zen talk each day, and meets with each student privately twice each day.