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Seeing Through Obstacles - Inner Critic Weekend Retreat

Date
August 1 - 3, 2025

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

“Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes.” – W. Whitman

Transformation of our hearts and minds has never been more vital. The very possibility for future humans to experience Truth, Beauty and Goodness is up in the air! And yet, most of us have significant challenges following through with our aspirations and continuing through the ups and downs that come with committed Dharma work.

This retreat will bring together inner critic work with Buddhist meditation practices to amplify understanding and dis-identify from ‘voices’ or ‘selves’ that hinder our unfolding. We will also practice tapping forces that are our allies in Awakening. Through this we develop choice with the different parts of us that arise on the path, finding space around and translucence within them.

Sessions will be a mix of silent and guided sitting meditation and group facilitations where participants directly explore parts of themselves such as those listed above.

This is for anyone with aspirations around liberation of the heart, bringing to light and integrating shadow elements, finding empathy for difficult to embrace parts of oneself, addressing obstacles to Dharma practice and deepening self-understanding. First time and experienced meditators are welcome and will find insight and nourishment.

 

This retreat begins at 5:00 pm Friday evening and ends on Sunday at around 1:00. Please plan on staying for the whole thing.

In-person only.

 

Getting Here

Location icon Zen Community of Oregon

Accommodation

Program Fee
Program Fee (ZCO member)

Customer Reviews

4.92 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Drop of Stillness - 1/2 day retreat
My first time at Heart of Wisdom temple; I will definitely be back. The space, inside and out, is beautiful. The half-day sit was perfect (though I long for the ability to make a full day at some point). And the folks leading the sit held a great container. I used to sit Zen in NYC over a decade ago and this felt like I was right back there, no separation.

5.0
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Retreat and Refuge
Daylong in city zen retreat with chanting, zazen and a great vegetarian meal.

5.0
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again
again please...

5.0
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Such a blessing 🙏
This was my second time attending the Jizo Ceremony. I appreciate that the monastery and monks hold this sacred space for those who are grieving the loss of the unborn, the children and the others, including the victims of wars and conflicts. It was also very meaningful to hear the history the Great Vow Monastery as well as the inception of the first Jizo ceremony in the SF Bay area many years ago. I feel that this type of ceremony is a wonderful blessing and a gift of service to humanity.

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Stillness Half Day Retreat May 31st
I really enjoyed the retreat. Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple is a beautiful environment and very welcoming. I went with a friend not very experienced in mediation and she's ready to do a Zazankai offered June 21st!

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