Vine of Obstacles

Amid the reeds

the ferryman

accompanies me.

- Hakuin's "Yantou the Ferryman"

Overview

This program offers Zen practice under the guidance a senior Zen teacher, Dōshō Port (see bio here), and interactions with a mature community of practitioners. Ed Goshin serves as our assistant teacher.

The Vine is designed for those who yearn to awaken and actualize the great matter of birth and death, and aren’t shy about it. Our primary avenues for cultivating verification are daily zazen, study, and engagement in the Vine forums and in the world. Students who have some history of in-person practice tend to acclimate best to the Vine environment. 

Process

• Just sitting/koan zazen
• Practice meetings with Dosho (the only practice meetings times: Tuesday or Wednesday mornings, Tuesday afternoons, Wednesday evenings - US Central)
• Weekly participation in the Engagement forums offer us the important opportunity to engage with each other as a practice group
• Study selected works, emphasizing classical teaching, including the following:Twice a year, we offer a twelve-week practice period, themes vary
  • Guidelines for Practicing the Way 
  • The Heart Sutra 
  • Dogen on Meditation and Thinking

Fees for new participants

Two options:

• $125 a month for four meetings (15 minutes each) with Dosho and ongoing study reflections and feedback
• $85 a month for, and two meetings with Dosho ongoing study reflections and feedback
• Some scholarship spaces are usually available.

Application or more information

Contact Dosho at doshoport@gmail.com for more information and for an application.