Zazenkai: August 22nd-23rd, 2026

 Cloud Mountain is situated on the rim of magnificent Kangaroo Valley, two hours from Sydney, and 7 km from Berry township.

You are warmly invited to apply to join a Zazenkai (intensive period of formal Zen practice, for committed Zen students), taking place on Saturday August 22nd – with the possibility of camping and staying on overnight through to the morning of Sunday August 23rd.

We traditionally bring simple food to share share, pot-luck style, for lunch and supper, and manage our own breakfast on the Sunday. On some occasions, we agree to have someone create a simple main meal on Saturday evening, and share food costs for that. (separate to registration fees) If so, details will be provided. 

We end with an early morning sit on Sunday, after enjoying shared silence from late afternoon Saturday through to breakfast on Sunday.

Schedule

Saturday:

Arrive from 9.30 in time for a 10am start.

• 10.00   Shortened sutras

• 10.30 Zazen + encouraging words

• 11-12.30 Zazen + dokusan (private meetings with the teacher)   

• 12.30 Lunch and rest

• 2pm Zazen

• 2.30 Dharma talk and open inquiry

• 3.30 Zazen

• 3.50 Closing dedication, Great Vows

• 4.00 Saturday-only people depart

• 4-5/5.30 Samu (work practice)

• 5.30 Supper -- then enter silence

• 7-8.30 Zazen + dokusan

• 8.30/9 Bed

Sunday:

• 6-7.30 Zazen + dokusan

• 7.30 Social breakfast

• 8.30 Pack up, clean up

  
  

10am   Depart  

Need to know:

This is a rare opportunity for a period of intensive Zen practice, including the opportunity for zazen, Dharma talks and dokusan (private interview) with Susan Murphy Roshi, while sharing the warm and welcoming company of Sangha members of Zen Open Circle.  

If not already a member, you can take out Trial Membership for $25 for one year in order to attend.  For membership details and sign-up, please visit our membership website page: https://www.zenopencircle.org.au/membership

If you have any questions about attending this event, including membership, don’t hesitate to contact the Zazenkai Coordinator,  Jazz Andrews, who will get back to you on jazz@hey.com or 0479 167 129 as quickly as work commitments permit.

When your place is confirmed you will be added to a Yarning Circle where more with more we can coordinate with each other, if needed, for transport from Sydney or from Berry station, and for logistics around food etc.

Places are limited to 15, so don’t delay your application.

🙏🙏🙏 P.s. a note about Dana. The ticketed cost of this event covers the costs associated with our use of Cloud Mountain and maintaining that facility. It is customary to also offer Dana following the event, with love from our heart, as our means allow, to express gratitude for the teachings directly to Susan Roshi, which you can do via direct bank transfer if you already have the details or by using this Ko-Fi link: https://ko-fi.com/susanmurphy