General Information for Zen Practice at Sheffield ZenSpace Meditation Events
Please bring a zafu/cushion, zabutton/mat/blanket and dress in loose, warm comfortable clothing -
colours should be subdued (not white, cream, beige, yellow, or orange).
This is a society for all people interested in Zen who want: True experiential contact with their own innate,
awakened mind-spirit; or just the occasional dip into Zen's vast sagacious wealth of clear, crisp far-sighted
Rinzai wisdom; to live a modern meaningful life within another path already established; or to map their own way
forward. It doesn't matter if you belong to another group, you would be welcome. We try to be open, inclusive,
and responsive, within the realms of being a traditional Rinzai Zen group. Realising that people have
tied-lives, we allow you to drop-in quietly at your convenience, but please be mindful of others.
Regular Events:
Thursday Evenings at Shirley House, 18:00 - 20:00: Venue: Rm.3, Shirley House, 31 Psalter Lane, Sheffield, S11 8YL. Parking: Please do not park in Shirley House the bays belong to the 'Methodist Homes'. It is sometimes possible to park in the street bays (watch for conditions of use). You can use the Church car park, next door, with mindfulness of access for others. There is no charge for teaching, but a donations (∼ £5) towards room hire would be very much appreciated. We no longer provide mindfulness meditation courses, as this forms part of our basic practice training. More advanced training such as breath-meditations, soft Chinese exercises and Sanzen/koans, are given to regular members upon request and appropriately. You do not have to book this event, but please let us know if you are coming so that we can prepare facilities sufficiently: Ryūshin Roshi.
Forthcoming Events:
01/02/25 - 07/02/25, Dai Sesshin (7 days): An intensive sesshin with silent Zen practice. Zen friends are welcome to arrange some, or all, of the time in sesshin with Ryūshin Roshi. There are ~ 8 Zazen one hour periods per day (broken into 25 min sub-units), interspersed with yoga-zen, kinhin (walking-zen), koan study and the possibility of free Zen periods. Cost: £10 per day. No overnight accommodation, participants need to find their own sleeping arrangements nearby. It may also be possible to arrange for Zoom attendance by request. Please respect the silence of other members by joining and leaving quietly. For further information and enquiries please contact Ryūshin Genshō Roshi.
Series of subsequent similar events: 01/4/25, 01/05/25, 01/06/25, 01/08/25, 14/09/25 (Autumn Sesshin with Accomodation - Unston Grange, Barn), 01/10/25, 01/11/25, 01/12/25 Dates subject to slight alteration until first booking is made.
Saturday 08/03/25, 9:30-12:45, Zenkai Half-day of Zen practice with Ryūshin Roshi: Sui-ji Osho Ceremony for Kaishin Zendo. Sitting meditation will be complemented with mindful movement, and Sanzen (one-to-one interview). Venue; Rm.1, Shirley House, 31 Psalter Lane, Sheffield, S11 8YL. Cost: £15, concession £7. For those attending both this and the Brushwork afternoon (see below) £20. This is an open event. You do not have to book this event, but please let us know you are coming so that we can prepare facilities sufficiently: Ryūshin Roshi.
Series of subsequent similar events: 17/05/25, 19/07/25, 15/11/25.
Saturday 08/03/25, 14:00 - 17:30, Zen Brushwork with Kaishin (Alison Churchill) Sensei: A half-day of Shodo Zen Calligraphy practice. These generally begin with 30 min Zen meditation, 20 min moving soft hara exercises, and the remainder of the time for calligraphy and tea; all at cost price/donation. Venue; Rm.1, Shirley House, 31 Psalter Lane, Sheffield, S11 8YL. Cost: £15, concession £7. For those attending both this and the Zenkai morning (see above) £20. Further information and limited place requests, contact Kaishin Sensei.
Series of subsequent similar events: 17/05/25, 19/07/25, 15/11/25.