Introduction to Zen Meditation (Tuesdays 8-9pm, Jan. 8 to Mar. 12)

Starting Tuesday January 8 (and going through March 12, the last Tuesday before Spring Break), Bernie Rhie (English Department) will offer a weekly series of evening events on Zen meditation, during which he will provide meditation instruction and speak about various aspects of Zen practice. All are welcome: students, staff, faculty, and members of the local community. This series is intended for people with varying levels of meditation experience: from those who have never tried meditation before and would like to learn the basics, to those who already have a regular sitting practice which they would like to deepen.

Each evening will begin promptly at 8pm with a 5-10 minute guided meditation (please arrive a few minutes early to find a seat, so that we can begin right on time). Bernie will then speak for 20 or so minutes about some aspect of Zen practice (for example: how to work with fear, anxiety, or other difficult emotions; the difference between “letting be” and “letting go”; or how to cultivate loving-kindness or gratitude). The topics will vary from week to week and the aim of the series as a whole will be to cover a wide range of issues that can come up in the course of meditation practice. Finally, the evening will conclude with a 20-25 minute period of silent meditation (ending at 9pm sharp).

Folks are invited to drop in from time to time or to attend the whole series. No sign-ups or RSVP’s are required. Each Tuesday morning, an email will be sent out briefly describing the topic of that night’s discussion. If you’d like to be put on this email list, please email Bernie Rhie (brhie@williams.edu).

Bernie Rhie has practiced Zen since 1989, when he moved to a Zen Buddhist temple in Northern California for a three-year stay. He now studies with Ezra Bayda, author of Being Zen and Zen Heart and a teacher at Zen Center San Diego.