A Meditation Retreat led by Flint Sparks
with entrusted teacher, Suzanne Kilkus
Wednesday April 10, 7p to Sunday April 14, 12p
We sit down to realize our true nature, undivided and full of compassion and care. We stand up and walk into a world which is so divided and fraught. Sitting down and standing up, we train to embody and express our true nature as bodhisattvas in an apparently fractured world. How does silent sitting benefit the world? How does struggling against endless human greed, hate and delusion make any difference? These are the kinds of questions we will address in our spring retreat while keeping in mind that all practice is engaged practice. There are no practices which do not benefit the whole world. There are actually no individual practices, however they may appear. This retreat is an investigation into the larger view of the totality of practice, the great unbroken circle of the way.
Flint is a Zen teacher and former psychologist, dedicated to assisting people in the unending path of growing up and waking up. An experienced therapist and a master teacher, Flint's teachings bridge the fields of traditional Buddhist practice and the psychology of awakening. Most recently he has extended his work into the contemplative arts, especially photography. In whatever capacity, his vow is to help soften barriers to love. In addition to serving as the Guiding Teacher for Open Door Zen Community in Madison, Wisconsin, Flint remains a senior teacher at Appamada in Austin, Texas, and is also a guiding teacher to the Just This consortium of sanghas across the UK. For more information, visit flintsparks.org
A student of Flint’s for 20 years and a member of Open Door Zen Community since its inception in 2014, Suzanne received teacher entrustment from Flint Sparks and Peg Syverson in October of 2020 and was installed as the resident teacher of Open Door Zen Community in April of 2023. As a teacher and spiritual guide her intention is to encourage the expression of Basic Goodness in each person and the community and support the unique offerings of compassion, love, and wisdom. She is a retired psychotherapist specializing in marriage and family counseling for over 35 years. She assisted individuals, couples, and families in restoring love as the basis for making their life enhancing choices and decisions.
Join us in person - as a resident or commuter - at Holy Wisdom Monastery,
4200 County Highway M, Middleton, WI 53562.
Or, join us online.
The cost for the retreat is $420 to attend in person, or $200 to attend online. ODZC is committed to financially accessible teachings, so please pay what you can based on your circumstances.
Refunds less a $20 fee are available through Tuesday, March 26, 2024. See the Cancellation Policy.
Please note that the retreat dharma talks will be recorded.
Please carefully review the covid policy for in person participation.
To register for this hybrid retreat please follow this link:
ODZC Spring 2024 Retreat Registration
To reserve a room at Holy Wisdom Monastery, please email Brooke Livingston blivingston@holywisdommonastery.org
In the subject line of the email type ‘ODZC April Retreat room request’. In the body, include your first and last name, phone number, email, billing address and dates if different than those of the retreat.
To preview room rates visit Holy Wisdom Monastery’s personal retreat page.
Mostly single and a few double rooms (2 single beds) are available.
Residential space is limited to 21 people so when booking a double room please consider a roommate.
Rooms are held for ODZC participants until March 10.
After that, they will also be available to the general public.
For more information about Open Door Zen Community, visit opendoorzencommunity.org
For questions email opendoorzencommunity@gmail.com
ODZC Spring Retreat 2024: Sitting Down and Standing Up: Being Practice in the World