Ready to establish, maintain and deepen your practice?

The reason Dharma Field is here, is to facilitate and support your practice. ​We'd love to hear from you if you're interested.

1. TWO PRACTICE PROGRAMS:

One of two custom designed programs are available, free and open to all, to help fit with your particular practice.

​Feel free to contact us if you would like to sign up, if you have any questions, or if you would like to discuss the possibility of a modified program that fits your unique needs. 
1. MENTORSHIP:
​Are you interested in guidance on finding ways to deepen your practice?  If so, consider participating in a mentorship with the Dharma Field head teacher. 
 
Consisting of recurring, individual conversations with the head teacher, mentorships allow for informal, personalized interactions that aren’t available in larger settings.  While a mentorship can be seen as an important opportunity, it doesn’t need to be taken as an overly serious endeavor. Similar to meeting someone for coffee, these meetings are meant to be casual conversations.

Whether you are new to Zen or have been at it for a while, a mentorship can help you develop a sustainable Zen practice that is the natural expression of your everyday life. 

Simply contact us to sign up (or to learn more). Forms can also be found in the Dharma Field coatroom.
2. PRACTICE COMMITMENT:
​Committing to a regular sitting schedule and a study of Buddhist teachings with a qualified teacher are essential to maintaining Buddhist practice.  One way to help one develop and maintain a Buddhist practice is to participate in Dharma Field’s semi-annual practice periods. 
 
But if practice period does not fit your schedule, we are now offering a practice commitment that is not quite as intense, but will help you in your practice.  The practice commitment consists of:

  • Regular sitting schedule, minimum one day a week at Dharma Field
  • Take at least one course or participate in a Dharma Field study group/lecture series per year
  • Register for at least one sesshin or extended zazen per year
  • One or more one-on-one conversations about practice with teacher
 
If you live out of the area, or have circumstances that prevent you from meeting the above requirements, simply contact Steve M to learn more about a customized practice plan.
 
There is no charge, and it open to everyone (membership not required).
 
Your practice is an important part of what makes practice possible for everyone in the sangha. Don’t hesitate to sign up if you think you’d like to take the next step in deepening your practice. Sign up forms can be found online and in the entry room, or, simply contact the office or Steve Matuszak.

2. PRACTICE PERIOD
Offered in the fall and spring.

Practice Period:
Committed Practice
Offered both live and online (via Zoom)

​Fall and Spring practice period at Dharma Field are offered September and February, respectively. See the Dharma Field calendar for exact date ranges. If you are interested, please contact the office.

​The sign up deadline occurs on the Wednesday prior to the first Sunday practice period meeting.

​Practice periods allow students, for a designated period of time, to take up Buddhist practice more intensively than they usually might.  Because it is done with other Zen students, it can also foster a sense of community important to practicing Buddhism.  Whether you are a beginning student or one with more experience, practice period can deepen one’s practice.

Sep 18–Dec 4, 2022, PRACTICE PERIOD
Cost:
There is no charge for members of Dharma Field.
Nonmembers please pay $90.
 
Due to coronavirus safeguards, the obligations of participating in practice period have been slightly altered from previous years.  Here they are:

Commitments:
 
For residents of the Twin Cities metro area (unless otherwise arranged with the head teacher)
  • Attend all 7:15 a.m. Sunday Practice Period meetings in person
  • Give at least one 7:15 a.m. Practice Period meeting talk and lead discussion
  • Attend all 10 a.m. Dharma Field Sunday public talks
  • Participate in the formal Sunday sitting schedule, plus five additional zazen periods at Dharma Field each week (fill in a form located in the coatroom and submit to the office or head teacher)
  • Attend at least six weeks of classes or study groups
  • Commit to a work practice task or hold a practice position
  • Attend the October sesshin, or if it is canceled, one of the fall extended zazen sessions
  • Arrange to meet the head teacher for at least one dokusan (outside of sesshin)
  • Read Shobogenzo Zuimonki, section 5, talk 19 (5.19) before the first meeting
For residents outside of the Twin Cities metro area (all times listed are Central Time)
  • Contact head teacher about participating
  • Attend all 7:15 a.m. Sunday Practice Period meetings via Zoom
  • Give at least one 7:15 a.m. Practice Period meeting talk and lead discussion via Zoom
  • Attend all 10 a.m. Dharma Field Sunday public talks via Zoom
  • Set up a schedule of at least seven thirty-minute periods of sitting meditation per week to be submitted to the head teacher (list days and times of sittings—e.g., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 9 a.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m. and 9:40 a.m.; Friday, 6 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.)
  • Attend at least six weeks of classes or study groups via Zoom
  • Arrange to meet the head teacher for at least one online dokusan
  • Read Shobogenzo Zuimonki, section 5, talk 19 (5.19) before the first meeting
  • Please contact the Dharma Field office if you have questions or if you would like to submit your sitting schedule.
 
Text for Sunday meeting discussions*
  • Shobogenzo Zuimonki, tr. Shohaku Okumura
  • A Primer of Soto Zen, tr. Reiho Masunaga
  • Record of Things Heard, tr. Thomas Cleary
*It is recommended that participants are prepared for the first meeting, therefore please acquire the text prior the first meeting. Shohaku Okumura’s old translation, Shobogenzo Zuimonki, is available as a pdf file free on the Soto Zen Net site.  Here’s the link.
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