Be Nothing: Understanding Impermanence & Finding Liberation
Liberation, the release from suffering, is basic to the Buddha's teaching, from the Four Noble Truths to the Parinirvana, and fundamental to this practice. Our relentless, losing battle against impermanence and emptiness is the cause of so much of our suffering as well as suffering in the world. How do we stop the madness and cultivate clarity, awareness, and true compassion?
During this Intensive we will explore what it means to walk the path of liberation through our own efforts in zazen and discussion of the fundamental teachings of the Buddha as well as those of the Ancestors.
This is a traditional intensive training period common in the schools of Buddhism. Participants can engage in this training period in one of two ways; this page is for Online/Visitor Participation.
Covid Health & Safety Guidelines for Residential option
Residential [this page]: Move in and live at City Center and follow the daily schedule.
Residential Application deadline: Extended to May 1
NOTE: Residential participants are expected to arrive on Monday, May 8, and depart on Sunday, June 4, unless other arrangements are made.
Visitor/Online link: Visit City Center for intensive events, or participate online, as you choose.
Visitor/Online Registration deadline: May 1
While Visitor/Online participants may visit City Center for practice events, Covid Health and Safety Guidelines for short events (such as zazen and classes) and daylong events (such as one-day sittings) will apply. For sesshin, separate guidelines for overnight stays will be included in the sesshin description and registration process.
About the Intensive
An intensive is a chance to develop and deepen your practice together with others in a supportive environment and through activities including daily sitting, study, practice discussion with teachers, and weekly sangha discussions. Weekly events include classes and Dharma talks. Participants may also meet individually with practice leaders.
The intensive will begin with an orientation, available both onsite and livestreamed, at 7:30 pm PT on Tuesday, May 9.
As part of the intensive, Rev. Chimyo Atkinson will teach a class on the practice period topic on three Mondays: May 15, 22, and 29, 7:30 – 8:45 pm PT. There will be an opening One-Day Sitting on May 13 and a concluding Three-Day Sesshin June 1 – 3. Also included are residential small discussion groups, and access to the Online Practice Community site for curricula and recordings of all the classes and Dharma talks.
All practice offerings listed above are included in the residential intensive fees and so separate registration is not required.
These fees include residency, meals, and all practice offerings.
Full Schedule Resident / WPA: Includes full-time work practice at City Center
- $1,107
Limited Schedule Resident: Not working at City Center
- $1,615
For payment of residential participation fees, information will be provided with notice of acceptance into the practice period.
Please review before filling out the application:
Practice Period Application - There is a $30 fee required as part of the application process.
Deadline for residential applications has been extended to May 1. The application will not be available after this date.
