NEWS

ZEN STORIES WITH SHUNRYU SUZUKI

  A student asked Shunryu Suzuki: “How much ‘I’ do we need?” “As much as it takes to not get run over by a bus.”   A student asked Shunryu Suzuki about the rule of silence during meals. “Because you can’t eat and talk at the same time.”   A student said: “I compare myself with other students and feel inadequate. I haven’t read enough about Buddhism.” “Yes! That’s the best way to do zazen,” replied Shunryu Suzuki.   One day a student complained to Shunryu Suzuki that his mind would not stay steady and kept talking to him when…

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HAPPY EASTER! 15.04.2022

Dear members and friends of Zen Center Athens, The Center will be closed from Maundy Thursday (21/04) until Easter Tuesday (26/04). However, zazen will continue throughout the time the Center will be closed, daily, from 20:20 to 21:00. We wish you from the bottom of our hearts a Happy Easter!

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH KOTEN ROSHI (PART 1)

Questions & Answers with Koten Roshi. The translation from Japanese to English was conducted by Doiku Sensei. The material below is extracted from Koten Roshi’s online dharma talks during Zen Center Athens’ Zen days. Effort and attention have been given in order to make it clear to the reader, without interfering with the meaning or the message.  Q: What is the difference between becoming one with the breath and shikantaza? Koten Roshi: Shikantaza, or simply sitting, is the form of becoming one with your present reality. It is just a difference in words. When you become one with the breathing, you sit,…

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ASANA EQUALS TOTALITY 10.04.2022

With Alexandra Sotiropoulou 10.04.2022, 10:00 – 13:00 A three-hour workshop that will give inspiration and new impetus to your practice. The course is based on the tradition of Vanda Scaravelli and is designed for those who wish to broaden their perspective, build new foundations, and work intuitively and methodically. Contribution: 25 euros 20 euros for Zen Center Athens students. For more information and registration please contact us via info@zencenterathens.gr See the event in Facebook

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ZEN DAY & KOTEN ROSHI DHARMA TALK 13/03/2022

The next Zen Day will take place on Sunday, 13th of March 2022. We will have 6 zazen periods with Kinhin (meditative walking) in between, and a discussion amongst practitioners. During Zen Day we will have the opportunity to connect with and listen to Koten Roshi’s Dharma talk from 11:00 to 12:00. Please note that the platform room will be open only during the discussion. Zen Center members will receive the Zoom link with our newsletter. Make sure to arrive to Zen Center strictly by 10:10. After zazen starts at 10:20 you will not be able to enter. The lunch break…

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CHANDRA NAMASKARA & MAHAMRITYUNJAYA MANTRA 12.03.2022

With Antaratma Thodoris Chiotis 12.03.2022, 17:00 – 20:00 Chandra Namaskara Salutation to the Moon is a complete practice in itself and can also complement the practice of Salutation to the Sun. It is a tribute to the existence and contribution of the earth’s satellite to the retention of water and the growth of life on our planet. As a technique it has 14 phases – positions and will be performed to the accompaniment of the Indian harmonium. Mahamrityunjaya Mantra The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is the mantra of healing and liberation from the cycle of life and death and is dedicated to…

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SUN SALUTATION & GAYATRI MANTRA 27.02.2022

With Antaratma Thodoris Chiotis 27.02.2022, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Sun Salutation is an ancient practice that has been modified and enriched over time. The essence of the practice, however, remains unchanged. It is a tribute to the generative power of the Sun, which as the Star of our system supplies energy and light to the planet Earth. No life form would be possible without it. The practice will be accompanied by the sound of Indian harmonium and Surya mantras. Gayatri mantra is a universal invocation. It is also known as the Savitri Mantra, and is addressed to the Transcendental…

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THE TEACHINGS OF DOGEN ZENJI & INTRODUCTION TO ZEN 8.02.2022

Dear Sangha, We invite you to visit this link  and enjoy the poem of Dōgen Zenji, Sitting with eyes open in the flames of the world. Translation and commentary by Shōhaku Okumura Roshi. We also inform you that the next “Introduction to Zen” will take place on the 8th of February 2022. For more information and registrations, please email us at info@zencenterathens.gr With Respect Zen Center Athens

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ZAZEN DURING THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD

Dear practitioners and friends of Zen Center Athens, we would like to inform you that zazen will continue daily during the Christmas and New Year period. For more information and registrations please contact us at info@zencenterathens.gr

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MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Dear practitioners and friends of Zen Center Athens. We wish you from the bottom of our hearts a Merry Christmas and a New Year with Health, Happiness and Creativity. By staying connected to the present, we stay connected to our potential. The practice of zazen is the way to develop and nurture the connection with the true, natural Self, which manifests and is experienced only in the present moment. We therefore urge you to continue your practice during the holidays, and keep the inner flame lit. Zazen will continue until Thursday 23/12 and will start again on Monday 3/1. On…

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