Category Archives: Half-Day Retreat

Half-day Koan Salon

This half-day Koan Salon on Saturday, April 20 with Michael Smith and Karen DeCotis is a restful, inclusive way to practice with koans. Koan is a Japanese term that refers to a legal public case. In Zen, koans are designed to give us pause, to enter deeply our own case. We will spend the morning sitting several short periods of zazen, each with a phrase, a story, a poem. There will be walking meditation, and time after each “koan” to consider together. All are welcome. No previous experience with koans is necessary. Sliding scale of $25-$50; scholarships available. Space is limited. Please register in advance for the half-da Koan Salon by clicking here.

About the Bozeman Zen Group

The Bozeman Zen Group provides half-day practice retreats regularly on Zoom and in-person to offer a time to stabilize and deepen our zazen practice, hear the teaching and engage with Zen forms. If you are new to retreat practice, and wish to learn more about how to participate, contact us at bznzen@gmail.com.

We are open to all who are interested in Zen and those curious about basic Buddhist practice.

We are currently affiliated with Branching Streams, an organization of sanghas in the Soto Zen lineage of Suzuki Roshi and the San Francisco Zen Center. Several of our members work with Zen teachers of other lineages. We are one of the resident sanghas at the Bozeman Dharma Center. All are welcome!

Half-Day: Inner Critic Workshop

Half-Day Retreat, InsightMichael Palmer

Hosted by Bozeman Insight Community and led by Suzanne Colón, this Inner Critic workshop on Saturday, March 2, will clarify the difference between Wise Discernment and Self-Judgement. We can motivate ourselves, work toward behavior change, and hold ourselves accountable with an Inner Compassionate Voice rather than by beating up on ourselves. Register here.

Retreat: Zen Half-Day Sit

Half-Day RetreatMichael Palmer

Join the Bozeman Zen Group for this half-day sit focusing on the Foundations of Mindfulness. Bozeman Zen Group offers half-day sittings appropriate for beginners who wish to try a retreat practice opportunity as well as for experienced practitioners to deepen their practice. Regular retreat practice is a cornerstone of Zen practice. Join us for periods of sitting and walking meditation as well as a dharma talk with Zen priest, Karen DeCotis. Register here.

Event: Feeding Your Demons

Half-Day RetreatMichael Palmer

On Saturday, February 3, Suzanne Colón will lead a 3 hour workshop featuring a guided exercise that uses imagery and inquiry to work with difficult parts of ourselves or our experience. Developed by Lama Tsultrim Allione (Tibetan nun, author and teacher), this exploratory practice of self-compassion has been shared with practitioners across Buddhist lineages, to powerful effect. In this morning workshop, Suzanne will offer the practice, along with guidance for how to use it safely and beneficially. Register here.

Event: Zen half-day Sit

Half-Day Retreat, ZenMichael Palmer

Sit with the Bozeman Zen Group on Saturday, January 20 from 9am-1pm. Bozeman Zen Group offers these half-day sittings monthly which are appropriate for beginners who wish to try a retreat practice opportunity as well as for experienced practitioners to deepen their practice. Regular retreat practice is a cornerstone of Zen practice. Join us for periods of sitting and walking meditation as well as a dharma talk with Zen priest, Karen DeCotis. Register here.

There will be 5 periods of meditation and breaks for stretching and tea.

Event: Resolutions & Intentions

Half-Day Retreat, InsightMichael Palmer

Join Suzanne Colón for a workshop on New Year’s Resolutions, Intentions, and New Beginnings on Saturday, January 6 from 9AM – 1PM.

This workshop will include guided meditations, journal exercises and a meditative inquiry from Tara Brach’s book Radical Compassion. The day will be held in companionable silence to allow us to each stay tucked into our own experience. Please bring a journal.

Designed for all levels of meditation experience and all persons, identities, sizes, genders, ages, races and abilities are very welcome.

Event: Mahasangha Half-Day Retreat

Half-Day RetreatMichael Palmer

We invite the entire Bozeman Dharma Center community to join us on Saturday, December 2nd for a half-day retreat! This day is a chance for fellowship and practice as a community in addition to commemorating Shakyamuni Buddha’s Enlightenment (Rohatsu – Bodhi Day) and the BDC 10 year anniversary. Group leaders will offer practices from our various lineages along with meditation, chanting, bowing, and readings.