Fall 2026 Retreat
A Meditation Retreat led by entrusted teacher Kim Neuschel
along with current and past head students - Anne Johnson, Don Coleman, Kathryn Coleman, Rebecca Hiller
Wednesday October 22, 7p to Sunday October 25, 12p
Zazen: The Practice of “Not Two”
The body itself is wisdom in motion.
For this reason, zazen is not something performed by the mind while the body passively accompanies it. Body, breath, heart, mind, and world participate together in a single activity.
~ Roshi Joan Halifax
The heart of Zen practice is zazen. While zazen is often understood simply as meditation, it is far more than a technique or state of mind. Sitting in upright stillness, allowing breath and life energy to flow, we open ourselves to reality as it is. Not pushing away or grasping what arises, this practice invites us to rest in this very moment with intimacy and wholehearted presence. Here, the boundaries we habitually create between self and other, body and mind, inner and outer begin to soften, revealing the living truth of "not two." Residing in this mystery, we express the wholeness of life and glimpse the liberation of this one Buddha body.
You are invited to join Open Door Zen Community’s fall retreat, where we will explore the form and spirit of zazen together. Through periods of seated meditation, embodiment practice, dharma talks, and silent reflection, we will deepen our understanding of practice through direct experience. Practicing together in sangha (community) is a great blessing; it is an opportunity to support one another in settling more fully into the present moment and discovering the wisdom that is already here.
This retreat will be offered in person and online. Open Door Zen Community retreats offer a gentle entry point for new practitioners and the opportunity for us all to cultivate a larger container for life. Please note, this is a silent retreat. There will be opportunities for warm connection throughout and bycultivating noble silence together we create a rare and vital space for hearts and minds to quiet. Wherever you are on the path, please know you are welcome.
Retreat Leaders
A student of Flint’s for over 20 years and a member of Open Door Zen Community since its inception in 2014, Suzanne received teacher entrustment from Flint Sparks and Peg Syverson in October of 2020 and was installed as the resident teacher of Open Door Zen Community in April of 2023.
Kim is a newly entrusted teacher in the Soto Zen lineage. She received entrustment in the Spring of 2025 from Roshi Flint Sparks and her sangha sister and teacher, Suzanne Kilkus. Kim has been studying with Flint since 2004 and is deeply grateful for the endless blessings of this path.
Registration Information
Join us in person - as a resident or commuter - at Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Highway M, Middleton, WI 53562.
Or, join us online.
The dharma teachings begin Wednesday October 22 at 7p. The first evening is the essential dharma gate where the groundwork for the entire retreat is laid out. We conclude the retreat Sunday October 25 at noon.
Please plan to attend the retreat in its entirety.
ODZC is committed to financially accessible teachings, so please pay what you can based on your circumstances. For reference, the amount to cover costs to attend in person is $260, and online is $160. There will also be the opportunity to practice generosity through dana for the teachers when the retreat concludes.
In person registration closes October 7 at 5p and online registration closes October 19 at 5p.
Please carefully review the Covid and Respiratory Illness Policy for in person participation.
Here is the Cancellation Policy.
To reserve a room at Holy Wisdom Monastery, please email Brooke Livingston blivingston@holywisdommonastery.org
In the subject line of the email type, ‘ODZC October Retreat room request’. In the body, include your first and last name, phone number, email, billing address and dates if different than those of the retreat.
To preview room rates visit Holy Wisdom Monastery’s personal retreat page.
Mostly single and a few double rooms (2 single beds) are available.
Residential space is limited to 21 people so when booking a double room please consider a roommate.
Rooms are held for ODZC participants until September 22, and released to the public after that.
For questions email opendoorzencommunity@gmail.com