In addition to the regular weekly schedule of zazen, chanting services, and dharma talks, Treetop Zen Center’s calendar for the coming year will include the following special events, open to all. Preregistration is requested. Please call 207-465-7563, or email treetopzen@earthlink.net for more information, or to register.
Saturday, Jan. 16, 6 a.m. – Noon
Saturday Intensive Sit
A silent practice including meditation, breakfast, teacher interviews and work.
Saturday, Feb. 6, 9:30 a.m.
Poetry workshop: “The Music of What Happens: The Zen of Emily Dickinson and W.S. Merwin”
Although Dickinson never heard of Zen, her poetry is shot through with Zen-like insights and language. By contrast, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, W.S. Merwin, a Zen student, refuses any attempt to label him as a ‘Zen poet.’ We’ll read, talk, and write a little. No experience necessary.
Saturday, Feb. 20, 6 a.m. – Noon
Saturday Intensive Sit
A silent practice including meditation, breakfast, teacher interviews and work.
Saturday March 6 – Monday, March 8
Paradise Below Zero Deep Ecology weekend
An experience of the vastness and solitude of winter in the Maine woods.
Saturday, March 20, 6 a.m. – Noon
Saturday Intensive Sit
A silent practice including meditation, breakfast, teacher interviews and work.
Saturday, Aprril 17, 6 a.m. – Noon
Saturday Intensive Sit
A silent practice including meditation, breakfast, teacher interviews and work.
Saturday, May 15, 6 a.m. – Noon
Saturday Intensive Sit
A silent practice including meditation, breakfast, teacher interviews and work.
Saturday, May 22 – Friday, June 18
Shuso Peter Joryu Harris Personal Monthlong Retreat
Peter will be living at Treetop Zen Center for the entire month, and will be sitting daily, mornings and evenings. People of the sangha are invited to join him. One of the Teachers will be offering daisan every evening. A schedule of the month-long retreat will be prepared and available.
Saturday, June 12 – Friday, June 18
Spring Weeklong Retreat
An extended silent practice, including services, meditation, interviews with teachers, formal meals, work practice and dharma talks.
Friday, June 18, 8 p.m.
Shuso Hossen Ceremony of Peter Joryu Harris
This wonderful ceremony will culminate in a Dharma Talk given by Peter, after which he will engage in Dharma Combat with people of the sangha. Sangha people will challenge Peter’s understanding of the Dharma with their questions. Sangha people are strongly encouraged to participate in this ceremony and especially in the Dharma Combat.
Friday, July 24 – Sunday, July 26
Quiet Waters Deep Ecology Weekend
Paddling on the ponds, marshes and bogs, where stillness is only interrupted by the cry of a loon, the splash of a frog.
Friday, August 28 – Sunday, August 30
Nahmakanta Deep Ecology Weekend
Moving quietly on the trails of this reserve in the Maine north woods, we will enter deeply into the experience of wilderness.
Saturday, Sept. 11, 6 a.m. – Noon
Saturday Intensive Sit
A silent practice including meditation, breakfast, teacher interviews and work.
Friday, Sept. 18 – Sunday, Sept. 20
Acadia Deep Ecology Weekend
The wonderful national park on the Maine coast, where mountains and ocean meet is the setting for this weekend experience of intimacy with nature.
Friday, Oct. 2 – Sunday, Oct. 4
Debsconeag Deep Ecology Weekend
Paddling on ponds in this remote north woods eco-reserve will take us far into deep connection with wildness.
Saturday, Oct. 16, 6 am – Noon
Saturday Intensive Sit
A silent practice including meditation, breakfast, teacher interviews and work.
Saturday, Nov. 13, 6 am – Noon
Saturday Intensive Sit
A silent practice including meditation, breakfast, teacher interviews and work.
Saturday, December 4, 7 p.m. – Friday, December 10, 5 p.m.
Rohatsu Retreat
An extended silent practice, including services, meditation, interviews with teachers, formal meals, work practice and dharma talks, honoring Buddha’s day of enlightenment.