Transmission ceremony for Guiding Teacher Ken Kessel, JDPSN

This past weekend, on April 1st, a transmission ceremony was held for our Guiding Teacher Ken Kessel, JDPSN, in recognition of a several decades-long commitment to teaching, practice, service, and immense compassion for all beings. After transmission, Ken Kessel received the name and title of Zen Master Jok Um. When asked for some words for our local sangha, he responded: Thank you to everyone for your commitment to practice. There is no transmission and nothing to transmit without Sangha, and when sangha prajna is strong, transmission occurs with everyone by itself. When you look at each other, see each other’s mind light first always, and wisdom will also come forward from your own true nature. When you practice together, allow yourself to trust the fullness of your own mind light; it’s already there, so trying to find it and trying to make it diffuses your energy. If you trust this as you trust your own breath and beating heart, then you have a good guide. Hope to see you again before too long. In the Dharma, Jok Um

New location and practice time

Beginning on Monday, January 2nd, the Gateless Gate Zen Center will be moving evening practice to a new location, and also beginning practice at a new time.  Practice will be held every Monday evening from 6:30pm – 8:00pm.  Beginners and newcomers are always welcome and may arrive early for a brief introduction to Zen practice and meditation.  The address to the new location is: 1899 NE 23rd Avenue Gainesville, FL 32609 Please do not hesitate to call 352-614-0512 with any questions.  

Monthly Long Sit

Buddha

Monthly Half-day Retreat

A half-day retreat is held on the last Saturday of every month.  Beginners and newcomers are always welcome and are encouraged to arrive between 9:30am – 9:45am for a brief introduction to Zen practice.  Attendance is free, but donations are gratefully appreciated.  Please feel free to arrive or depart as needed.

Current Practice Schedule as of March 2016

Monday Evening Practice

 Location: Gainesville Retreat Center
 6:45pm - 8:15pm
 Beginners and newcomers always welcome.

If you would like a brief introduction to Zen 
meditation and practice, please arrive 
15 - 30 minutes before practice begins.
Monthly Long Sit
 Location: Gainesville Retreat Center
 First Sunday of Every Month
 10am - 3pm
 Please feel free to come and go as you need.

Hope to sit with you all soon and be well.

February Long Sit

The long sit for the month of February will be held on Sunday, February 21 from 10am – 3pm.  Due to retreat in progress at the Gainesville Retreat Center, the long sit will not be held at the GRC.  Please call 803-260-7077 or email gateless.gate.zen.center@gmail.com for alternate directions to the long sit. Newcomers and beginners are always welcome to arrive early for a brief introduction to Zen meditation and practice.  And please feel free to come and go as needed.  

New Year’s Eve Midnight Long Sit

December 31st at 7pm – January 1 at 12:15am

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We will have a special evening long sit through midnight this upcoming New Year’s Eve. While the final format will be posted very soon, the event will tentatively consist of:
 
– Opening with Special and Regular Chanting
– 25-minute meditation periods interspersed with 10 minutes of walking meditation
– Chanting of the Great Dharani beginning just before midnight and continuing into 2016
– Closing
 
There will be tea, snacks, and refreshments in the common area, and you’re welcome to sit for as many or as few meditation periods as you’d like.
 
Donations of $5 – $10 to either the Gateless Gate Zen Center or the Gainesville Retreat Center would be greatly appreciated, but please feel welcome to attend even if unable to do so.
 
Email gateless.gate.zen.center@gmail.com, or call 803-260-7077 if you have any questions at all.

Long Sit Sunday – October 4th

    Dharma Room We will be having a long sit on Sunday, October 4th (as we do the first Sunday of every month) and anyone if welcome to attend… and bring cake!  The long sit schedule is located on the website, and a potluck lunch is served in the middle of the event.  Last long sit we had an amazing amount and variety of food, and the chance to relax and chit chat outside of practice is priceless.  Hope to see you there. Oh and the money thing… if you it doesn’t not cause you any suffering at all, a donation of $5 – $10 would be extremely helpful to contribute to the cost of hosting the event at the GRC.  Thanks so much.

Mon Evening Practice 6:45pm – 8:15 pm

It seems that many may have benefitted from delaying the start of practice by 15 minutes, and we hope that it has not made it harder for some to attend practice.  Since practice will end at 8:15pm, rather than 8:00pm, we will make sure that we are consistent with the schedule so that everyone can get home to their loved ones, or their beds, and not be out too late.  If you would like a ride to the center, please contact us and let us know so that we can arrange it.  Thanks you.