Fall Practice Period 2024
Zazenkai -
Zazen and Emotional Koans
with Ekai Joel Kreisberg
October 13th, 2024
Sunday 9:00 am ET - 5:00 pm ET
In this one day retreat, we explore the basic framework for emotional koans developed by Jun Po Roshi. Alternate between meditation practice and emotional koan work, we will unpack how to be more fully present with the arising of feelings in the context of awakening into pure awareness. Unlike traditional Chan or Zen koans, emotional koans first, ask us to deeply embody the experience of feelings, witnessing our emotional reactivity. With the support of a meditation practice, emotional koans offer an opportunity to respond with compassion and skillful means.
Emotional Koan work is for those interested in taking their practice off the cushion and into our daily interpersonal interactions. We learn to recognize our habitual emotional responses, with the potential for insight. This one day retreat is for anyone wanting to deepen your emotional maturity, while continuing to stabilize in Clear Deep Heart/Mind. Join us for a day of exploration!
This retreat will be based in the teachings of Jun Po Roshi as found in the book The Heart of Zen co-authored by Jun Po Denis Kelly and Keith Martin-Smith.
Registration & Course Fees
Full Fee
Fair Fee
Low Cost
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is available to participants exhibiting financial need. To apply please fill out the scholarship application below, along with the refundable deposit.
Please note that while One Wisdom Zen and Shining Bright Lotus aim to make our offerings financially accessible, we are unable to provide full scholarships for our programs and retreats.
Financial Assistance
“Visualize yourself transforming a habitual negative reaction into a conscious, compassionate response.”
About Ekai Joel Kreisberg
About Ekai Joel Kreisberg
Ekai continues to evolve his practice to incorporate a variety of Buddhist wisdom in his teachings. His commitment to compassionate action keeps offering endless opportunties for learning and growth.
Program Schedule (All Times in ET)
Saturday October 13th
9:00 – 9:30 am Check In & Orientation
9:30 – 9:55 am Morning Service
9:55 – 10:00 am Break
10:00 – 10:30 am Meditation with instructions
10:30 – 10:40 am Kinhin
10:40 -11:00 am Introduction to emotional koans
11:00 -11:20 am Meditation with koan
11:20 – 11:40 am Discussion
11:40- 12:00 am Meditation with koan
12:00 – 1:30 pm Break - Return to our seats 1:25
1:30 – 1:50 pm Feelings as information
1:50 -2:10 pm Meditation – What feelings lie underneath anger?
2:10 - 2:30 pm Discussion
2:30 – 2:50 pm Embodiment
2:50 - 3:00 pm Break
3:00 – 3:20 pm Meditation with emotional koan
3:20 – 3:40 pm Discussion
3:40 - 4:00 pm Meditation
4:00 – 4:20 pm Discussion
4:20 – 4:40 pm Meditation
4:40 - 5:00 pm Final Check in and Closing Service
“No one can give you give you these insights; no teacher, no god, no burning bush in the night. You must experience them and claim them for yourself. Your seat will not be given to you. It must be taken. ”