HALF-DAY SILENT RETREAT
VOYAGE INTO THE INNER LANDSCAPE OF YOUR MIND
with Zen Master Myodo Jabo (Sandy Gougis)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5TH
1-6 PM Pacific Time
with Zen Master Myodo Jabo (Sandy Gougis)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5TH
1-6 PM Pacific Time
An Invitation to Practice Meditation
In this 5-hour online retreat, we will explore our own higher consciousnesses. Zen Master Myodo (Sandy Gougis) will provide a brief introduction to both sitting and walking meditation. Then we will alternate silent periods of sitting and walking in the style of Korean Zen Buddhist temples. There will be a brief Q & A at the end.
This retreat is suitable for intermediate to advanced meditators. If you're not sure whether it's for you, please call us at 909-620-YOGA(9642).
This retreat is suitable for intermediate to advanced meditators. If you're not sure whether it's for you, please call us at 909-620-YOGA(9642).
Come, enter the profound peace of a still mind.
Drink deep from a 2,500-year-old wisdom stream.
Practice "together action" with like-minded people.
Drink deep from a 2,500-year-old wisdom stream.
Practice "together action" with like-minded people.
A “retreat” is a place of refuge and security. In a meditation retreat, we turn inward, working on self-improvement while practicing self-care. In this retreat, we will practice basic meditation techniques together.
Why Attend This Retreat?
Our Retreat Gives You…
Dedicated Time: Sometimes it’s hard to take time for ourselves. Joining a group will help draw a line around this time that is especially for you. Time to be still. Time to think or not think. Time to listen to the stillness of your soul. Time for you.
A Lot of Support: Meditation is generally a solitary experience. With this retreat, you get your own time to meditate, but you also get the guidance of a Zen Master plus the encouragement of a supportive spiritual community. Talk about the best of both worlds!
Just Enough Structure: This retreat time is your time. No one is going to tell you what you have to meditation. We’ll have a structure for our time together, but you can always, always, meditate however is comfortable for you.
A Spiritual Community: This is what the ancients in India called Sangha: the community on the spiritual path. Members of all spiritual traditions and none are welcome. Come meet other seekers on their way up the mountain.
Dedicated Time: Sometimes it’s hard to take time for ourselves. Joining a group will help draw a line around this time that is especially for you. Time to be still. Time to think or not think. Time to listen to the stillness of your soul. Time for you.
A Lot of Support: Meditation is generally a solitary experience. With this retreat, you get your own time to meditate, but you also get the guidance of a Zen Master plus the encouragement of a supportive spiritual community. Talk about the best of both worlds!
Just Enough Structure: This retreat time is your time. No one is going to tell you what you have to meditation. We’ll have a structure for our time together, but you can always, always, meditate however is comfortable for you.
A Spiritual Community: This is what the ancients in India called Sangha: the community on the spiritual path. Members of all spiritual traditions and none are welcome. Come meet other seekers on their way up the mountain.
Transformational Gifts of Meditation
The science is in! Here are just some of the ways mediation can help you:
1. Reduces Stress
Many styles of meditation can help reduce stress. Meditation can also reduce symptoms in people with stress-triggered medical conditions.
2. Controls Anxiety
Habitual meditation helps reduce anxiety and anxiety-related mental health issues like social anxiety, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.
3. Promotes Emotional Health
Some forms of meditation can improve depression and create a more positive outlook on life. Research shows that maintaining an ongoing habit of meditation may help you maintain these benefits long term.
4. Lengthens Attention Span
Several types of meditation may build your ability to redirect and maintain attention. As little as four days of meditation may have an effect.
5. May Reduce Age-Related Memory Loss
The improved focus you can gain through regular meditation may increase memory and mental clarity. These benefits can help fight age-related memory loss and dementia.
6. May Help Fight Addictions Meditation develops mental discipline and willpower and can help you avoid triggers for unwanted impulses. This can help you recover from addiction, lose weight and redirect other unwanted habits.
7. Improves Sleep
A variety of meditation techniques can help you relax and control the "runaway" thoughts that can interfere with sleep. This can shorten the time it takes to fall asleep and increase sleep quality.
8. Helps Control Pain
Meditation can diminish the perception of pain in the brain. This may help treat chronic pain when used as a supplement to medical care or physical therapy.
9. Can Decrease Blood Pressure
Blood pressure decreases not only during meditation, but also over time in individuals who meditate regularly. This can reduce strain on the heart and arteries, helping prevent heart disease.
1. Reduces Stress
Many styles of meditation can help reduce stress. Meditation can also reduce symptoms in people with stress-triggered medical conditions.
2. Controls Anxiety
Habitual meditation helps reduce anxiety and anxiety-related mental health issues like social anxiety, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.
3. Promotes Emotional Health
Some forms of meditation can improve depression and create a more positive outlook on life. Research shows that maintaining an ongoing habit of meditation may help you maintain these benefits long term.
4. Lengthens Attention Span
Several types of meditation may build your ability to redirect and maintain attention. As little as four days of meditation may have an effect.
5. May Reduce Age-Related Memory Loss
The improved focus you can gain through regular meditation may increase memory and mental clarity. These benefits can help fight age-related memory loss and dementia.
6. May Help Fight Addictions Meditation develops mental discipline and willpower and can help you avoid triggers for unwanted impulses. This can help you recover from addiction, lose weight and redirect other unwanted habits.
7. Improves Sleep
A variety of meditation techniques can help you relax and control the "runaway" thoughts that can interfere with sleep. This can shorten the time it takes to fall asleep and increase sleep quality.
8. Helps Control Pain
Meditation can diminish the perception of pain in the brain. This may help treat chronic pain when used as a supplement to medical care or physical therapy.
9. Can Decrease Blood Pressure
Blood pressure decreases not only during meditation, but also over time in individuals who meditate regularly. This can reduce strain on the heart and arteries, helping prevent heart disease.
Twenty years after the Buddha’s awakening, his personal attendant (who was also his cousin), Ananda, came to him with a question. “Venerable sir, if people ask me whether you are still practicing meditation, what shall I tell them?”
The Buddha replied that he was, in fact, still meditating.
“What kind of meditation do you practice, venerable sir?” Ananda asked.
“Mindfulness of breathing,” the Buddha answered.
The Buddha replied that he was, in fact, still meditating.
“What kind of meditation do you practice, venerable sir?” Ananda asked.
“Mindfulness of breathing,” the Buddha answered.
How to Navigate This Virtual Retreat
This retreat is live, online. We will meet together at 1:00 pm Pacific time on Saturday, December 5th, via Zoom. A link will be emailed to you once you complete registration and payment.
Meditation is supported and enhanced by a tight retreat container. I offer the following suggestions with that in mind:
Meditation is supported and enhanced by a tight retreat container. I offer the following suggestions with that in mind:
- If you live with others, let them know about your upcoming retreat and ask for their support.
- Do NOT multi-task. Instead, mono-focus.
- Engage as fully as you would if we were meeting in person.
- Keep your video on to help lessen any potential disconnect from the virtual format.
- Keep your audio off to reduce background noise for all retreatants.
- Choose a place where you can sit comfortably and won’t be disturbed.
- Uplift your space, such as with a flower, candle, or incense.
“The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.”
Jalaluddin Rumi
Jalaluddin Rumi
Join me for this 5-hour journey into your own mind. You will learn about sitting and walking meditation and practice both. Start the path to reducing stress, decreasing anxiety and depression, and improving focus and concentration.
Your Investment
Only $99 for a half-day retreat!
About Your Teacher
Hi! I’m Myodo Jabo (Sandy Gougis). I’m the owner of Open Door, and a Buddhist Priest and Zen Master in the Five Mountain Zen Order. I’ve been meditating since 1998 and teaching it since 2008. It’s my great privilege to be the Guiding Teacher of an ever-growing number of Zen Centers in Southern California.
I got into meditation when I was going through a painful divorce. (Has anyone every gone through a “painless” divorce?) Meditation helped me to forgive myself for my role in the dissolution of the marriage, and ultimately, to forgive my ex-husband so I could stop walking around all hurt and angry.
Fast-forward 14 years, and I faced another test of meditation’s effectiveness. I was diagnosed with breast cancer on my 48th birthday. I was mutilated (bilateral mastectomy), poisoned (chemotherapy), and burned (radiation) in the name of healing. I also received Reiki, acupuncture, prayers from people of at least five different faiths, nutritional counseling, and hypnotherapy. And, of course, I meditated.
I recall one morning in particular during chemo. I woke before dawn and wanted to do a Tibetan sky-gazing meditation. It was a tantric practice on Prajna Paramita, a feminine archetype of wisdom energy, whose practice is normally performed at sunrise and sunset. My now-and-forever husband propped me up in bed on some pillows while I tried desperately not to vomit. I meditated looking out the window and watching the sky turn from black to pink to blue. I forgot my nausea. There was only my meditation.
Cancer turned out to be a three-year initiation for me. If meditation didn’t save my life, it certainly saved my sanity.
I got into meditation when I was going through a painful divorce. (Has anyone every gone through a “painless” divorce?) Meditation helped me to forgive myself for my role in the dissolution of the marriage, and ultimately, to forgive my ex-husband so I could stop walking around all hurt and angry.
Fast-forward 14 years, and I faced another test of meditation’s effectiveness. I was diagnosed with breast cancer on my 48th birthday. I was mutilated (bilateral mastectomy), poisoned (chemotherapy), and burned (radiation) in the name of healing. I also received Reiki, acupuncture, prayers from people of at least five different faiths, nutritional counseling, and hypnotherapy. And, of course, I meditated.
I recall one morning in particular during chemo. I woke before dawn and wanted to do a Tibetan sky-gazing meditation. It was a tantric practice on Prajna Paramita, a feminine archetype of wisdom energy, whose practice is normally performed at sunrise and sunset. My now-and-forever husband propped me up in bed on some pillows while I tried desperately not to vomit. I meditated looking out the window and watching the sky turn from black to pink to blue. I forgot my nausea. There was only my meditation.
Cancer turned out to be a three-year initiation for me. If meditation didn’t save my life, it certainly saved my sanity.
Shortly after treatment ended, while I was still going through various reconstructive surgeries, I was ordained as a Zen Buddhist Priest. Having seen how much meditation had helped me, I started teaching more frequently.
Now I train teachers because humanity needs more meditation and calmness. The world needs more calmness. And we need more diversity in the voices teaching meditation. I’m only one person, one voice. I can only speak from my own experience. I want to help others find their teaching styles and authentic voices. May meditation and peace spread across the earth like a healing balm.
In addition to running Open Door, teaching meditation, and leading Zen centers, I’m also a Reiki Master, lover of good books and hot tea, and a rescuer of stray animals. My Zen Order’s motto is "How may I help you?" I’ve adopted that as one of my own, the others being “Wag more, bark less,” and “Live like someone left the gate open!” You’re welcome to check out my often-neglected blog at myodojabo.com.
Now I train teachers because humanity needs more meditation and calmness. The world needs more calmness. And we need more diversity in the voices teaching meditation. I’m only one person, one voice. I can only speak from my own experience. I want to help others find their teaching styles and authentic voices. May meditation and peace spread across the earth like a healing balm.
In addition to running Open Door, teaching meditation, and leading Zen centers, I’m also a Reiki Master, lover of good books and hot tea, and a rescuer of stray animals. My Zen Order’s motto is "How may I help you?" I’ve adopted that as one of my own, the others being “Wag more, bark less,” and “Live like someone left the gate open!” You’re welcome to check out my often-neglected blog at myodojabo.com.
FAQs
Q: What type of meditation will we be doing in this retreat?
A: Myodo will guide you in Zazen. If you're not familiar with Zazen but have been meditating for a while, you will probably find it very easy. It is certainly simple. You will also do walking meditation.
Q: What if I don't want to do Zazen? Can I do my own thing, like mindfulness?
A: Absolutely! The only thing we ask is that you sit when the group is sitting and walk when the group is walking, so that everyone can experience "together action."
Q: Do I need to be Buddhist to participate?
A: Not at all. Everyone is welcome. While Zazen comes to us from Zen Buddhism, in practice it is a simple matter of regulating the breath.
Q: What’s the difference between Mindfulness and Meditation?
A: Mindfulness is one type of meditation. There are many, many varieties.
Q: Do I have to breathe a special way?
A: If you choose to, then yes. In Zazen, we take a fairly short in-breath and a much longer out-breath. This slows the heart rate and triggers the "rest and digest" response of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Q: Do I have to sit with my legs in full lotus to practice Zazen?
A: No. You can practice Zazen, and most types of meditation, in different positions on the floor, in a chair, while standing, walking, or even lying down.
Q: What if my mind is never still?
A: No one's mind is very still for very long. But with practice, we can allow our minds to rest until that rest becomes a habit. That's one reason why retreats are so valuable: they give us a long period to work with the mind.
Q: Is meditation based on any particular religion?
A: Many of the world's faith traditions have meditation as part of their practice. No specific religion can claim all meditation as its own.
A: Myodo will guide you in Zazen. If you're not familiar with Zazen but have been meditating for a while, you will probably find it very easy. It is certainly simple. You will also do walking meditation.
Q: What if I don't want to do Zazen? Can I do my own thing, like mindfulness?
A: Absolutely! The only thing we ask is that you sit when the group is sitting and walk when the group is walking, so that everyone can experience "together action."
Q: Do I need to be Buddhist to participate?
A: Not at all. Everyone is welcome. While Zazen comes to us from Zen Buddhism, in practice it is a simple matter of regulating the breath.
Q: What’s the difference between Mindfulness and Meditation?
A: Mindfulness is one type of meditation. There are many, many varieties.
Q: Do I have to breathe a special way?
A: If you choose to, then yes. In Zazen, we take a fairly short in-breath and a much longer out-breath. This slows the heart rate and triggers the "rest and digest" response of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Q: Do I have to sit with my legs in full lotus to practice Zazen?
A: No. You can practice Zazen, and most types of meditation, in different positions on the floor, in a chair, while standing, walking, or even lying down.
Q: What if my mind is never still?
A: No one's mind is very still for very long. But with practice, we can allow our minds to rest until that rest becomes a habit. That's one reason why retreats are so valuable: they give us a long period to work with the mind.
Q: Is meditation based on any particular religion?
A: Many of the world's faith traditions have meditation as part of their practice. No specific religion can claim all meditation as its own.
"Silence is a source of great strength."
Lao Tzu
Lao Tzu
