Ordinary Zen Sangha

10/09/2026

https://ordinaryzensangha.org/ozs-news-and-views-fall-2026/

10/09/2026

Bearing Witness: Zen Retreat in Nature
Registration is now open.

Join Ordinary Zen Sangha for a silent retreat at Myakka River State Park. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Reserve your space: www.ordinaryzensangha.org

10/07/2026

Bearing Witness

Zen Retreat in Nature

Join Ordinary Zen Sangha for an all-day silent retreat at Myakka River State Park on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sitting and walking meditation, a Dharma talk and a shared vegetarian/vegan potluck lunch. Water and tea provided.

10/05/2026

Sunrise Zen Meditation on Siesta Key Beach

Join us for meditation practice on Saturday mornings, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., at Siesta Key Beach.

10/02/2026

Join us for a Silent Retreat at Myakka River State Park on Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

We will start promptly at 9:15 a.m. (arrival time 9:00 a.m.). During the day, there will be several sitting and walking meditations, a Dharma talk, and a vegetarian/vegan potluck lunch. Water and tea will be provided. The retreat will be over by 5:00 p.m.

Our theme for this all-day silent retreat is “Bearing Witness”.
Registration is limited to the first 40 participants. You can donate through our website or in cash at the event. We suggest a $35.00 donation; however, there is no set fee. All are welcome.

Myakka River State Park is a Florida State Park, that is located nine miles east of Interstate 75 in Sarasota County. This state park consists of 37,000 acres, making it one of the state's largest parks. There is a entrance fee of $6 per vehicle (2-8 people), $4 single-occupant vehicle.

Register here: https://ordinaryzensangha.org/events/all-day-silent-retreat-at-myakka-river-state-park-183/

09/30/2026

Someone you love is struggling. How does our Bodhisattva nature help us hold space for solutions to arise?

That's the heart of "Bearing Witness," our all-day silent retreat on Dec. 5 at Myakka River State Park.

Register: [link]

09/25/2026

Silent Retreat – Myakka River State Park – Saturday, December 5, 2026, 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
The park setting, surrounded by nature’s beauty, will help us relax, reflect, and renew. We will start promptly at 9:15 a.m. (arrival time 9:00 a.m.). During the day, there will be several sitting and walking meditations, a Dharma talk, and a vegetarian/vegan potluck lunch. Water and tea will be provided. The retreat will be over by 5:00 p.m.
Our theme for this all-day silent retreat is “Bearing Witness”.
Registration is limited to the first 40 participants. Donations can be made through our website or in cash at the event. A $35.00 donation is suggested, however there is no set fee. All are welcome.
Myakka River State Park is a Florida State Park, that is located nine miles east of Interstate 75 in Sarasota County. This state park consists of 37,000 acres, making it one of the state's largest parks. There is a entrance fee of $6 per vehicle (2-8 people), $4 single-occupant vehicle.
Register here: https://ordinaryzensangha.org/.../all-day-silent-retreat.../
Please contact me for more information,
Will Rauschenberger, Abbot
Ordinary Zen Sangha Inc.
[email protected]
941 228 4511

09/23/2026

When something is hard, our first instinct is to fix it.

What if the more helpful thing is simply to bear witness?

Join Ordinary Zen Sangha for a silent retreat at Myakka River State Park on Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All are welcome.

Register: www.OrdinaryZenSangha.org

09/21/2026

You don't have to leave your life to practice. You can do the dishes, have a cup of tea and still be fully present. This is Bodhi; this is what it means to bear witness.

Come spend a day practicing that shift with us at Myakka River State Park on Dec. 5. No experience needed.

Listen to our recent podcast:

The non-outflow of the six perfections. The Six Perfections (or Pāramitās) are the core practices of the bodhisattva path.