In reflecting on his philosophy, Alfred North Whitehead noted resemblances to Asian thought traditions, emphasizing the fluidity of life, the ultimacy of a formless creativity actualized in each moment of experience, interconnectedness, and the intimate presence of the world within each moment. Zen Buddhism offers a practical path to explore and live these connections moment by moment and philosophical ideas of its own, some similar to Whitehead's, which lead to and illuminate the practice.
We are excited to offer a unique journey into Zen practice and philosophy, and their confluence with process philosophy through our virtual series, Process and Presence. This initiative is perfect for anyone interesting in experiencing Zen meditation, especially the practice of Shikantaza, or "just sitting," as celebrated in the Soto Zen tradition.
Leadership
This circle is co-led by Dr. Jay McDaniel, a student of the late Keido Fukushima of the Rinzai Zen tradition, chair of the board of the Center for Process Studies, and Rev. Reirin Gumbel, the Resident Priest of the Milwaukee Zen Center from the Shunryu Suzuki lineage of Soto Zen. Their combined insights promise a exploration of Zen practice and philosophy, accessible from anywhere globally through our online format.
Schedule:
Meetings will occur on the fourth Tuesday of each month, from April through August. Please mark your calendars for the following dates:
April 23, May 28, June 25, July 23, August 27
Each session starts promptly online at 6:00 pm Central DS Time (US) and lasts one hour, beginning with ten minutes of quiet sitting, followed by a dynamic discussion on selected essays from "The Art of Just Sitting: Essential Writings on the Zen Practice of Shikantaza", edited by John Daido Loori.
Additional Resources: In addition to essays from "The Art of Just Sitting", participants are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the Soto Zen tradition by exploring pages offered on this website, and with the many articles and essays on process thought in Jay McDaniel's website, Open Horizons, especially those dealing with process and Buddhism.
Location:
This series is held online. Registered participants will receive the virtual meeting room link.
Preparation:
Attendees are encouraged to acquaint themselves with both the Rinzai and Soto Zen traditions, read "The Art of Just Sitting" . Weekly discussions will focus on specific chapters, paragraphs, or web pages selected in advance and shared with participants.
Practice:
Participants are also encouraged to practice "Just Sitting" on their own during the week. The experience of Process and Presence will be best if guided not by intellectual exploration alone but also by being nourished by the silence of just sitting on a daily basis.
Participation:
To foster optimal discussion, participation is limited to 25 individuals on a first-come, first-served basis. This circle welcomes all, regardless of Zen or meditation experience level.
What to Expect:
- Ten minutes of quiet Zen sitting at the start of each session.
- Discussions on Shikantaza and Zen philosophy.
- Exploration of the nexus between Process Philosophy and Zen,
revealing both resonances and differences.
Registration:
Please register by April 10 via email at info@mkzen.org.
There is no registration fee, but you must sign up to receive the online meeting link and materials.
Closing Note
Join us for a journey not just of learning but of practice, from the comfort of your space. We invite you with an open heart and mind to explore "just sitting" and its deep simplicity and ideas about life, death, and meaning, connected to the practice.
Dr. Jay McDaniel