May
16
8:00 AM08:00

Half-Day Retreat

We are having a 4-hour meditation session on Saturday, May 16th to help prepare for our June 5-7th retreat with Zen Master Jok Um (Ken Kessel) and Tony Sager, JDPSN.

 

During the session, we will mostly be meditating but will also review aspects of a retreat including proper forms: Bowing or Prostrations, Chanting, Wake-Up Stick, Interviews/Kong-an practice with the Teacher and any questions that you have about our practice.

 

There is no charge for the meditation practice, but we suggest a small donation to the Theosophical Society for use of the Meditation Room.

 

Following practice, for those who would like to, we will have lunch at a reasonably priced restaurant near the Theo.

 

We hope you can make it; please RSVP by May 14th so we know how to set the room up. Also, please try to join us for the full session - it is less disruptive to others and helps you prepare for practice during a full retreat.

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Jun
5
to Jun 7

Weekend Meditation Retreat

Zen Master Jok Um (Ken Kessel) and Tony Sager, JDPSN

Our Guiding Teacher is Zen Master Jok Um (Ken Kessel) who received transmission in April 2017. He began studying with Zen Master Seung Sahn in 1975. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a psychotherapist, working with children and families in foster care, substance abuse, outpatient and inpatient mental health and therapeutic preschool settings as well as in private practice. He specializes in infant and early childhood mental health.

Zen Master Jok Um is the guiding teacher for the Ten Directions Zen Community, and he also teaches at the Chogye International Zen Center of New York as well as other Zen Centers and affiliates.

Tony Sager JDPSN began practicing in the Kwan Um School of Zen in 1978 while attending college at Brown University. After graduating college he lived and worked at the Providence Zen Center for some years and was ordained by Zen Master Seung Sahn in 1986; he was a monk for 21 years, serving in both the United States and Europe. Tony presently lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he runs the Albuquerque Open Sky Zen group and works as a psychotherapist. He received inka on December 13, 2025 at Providence Zen Center, U.S.A.

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Oct
5
to Oct 6

Weekend Retreat: October 5-6, 2019


Retreat October 5-6 with Zen Master Jok Um

Zen Master Jok Um (Ken Kessel) received transmission in April 2017. He began studying with Zen Master Seung Sahn in 1975. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a psychotherapist, working with children and families in foster care, substance abuse, outpatient and inpatient mental health and therapeutic preschool settings, as well as in private practice. He specializes in infant and early childhood mental health. He is guiding teacher for Ten Directions Zen Community, New Haven Zen Center, Hwa Um Sa-Orlando Zen Center, Gateless Gate Zen Center (Gainesville) and Cypress Tree Zen Group (Tallahassee). He also teaches at the Chogye International Zen Center of New York, as well as at other Zen Centers and affiliates.

Retreat Schedule
Saturday, October 5th
8:30 AM - 9 PM
Public Dharma talk at 1:30 PM
Sunday, October 6th
6 AM - 4 PM
Public Dharma talk at 1 PM

Cost is $50/Day. 
Overnight accommodations are available at the Theosophical Society ($50/person/night).
Note: Meals will be in the cafeteria. Saturday evening meal will be provided (please advise of any food allergy). You will need to bring your own sack lunches and breakfast. There is a refrigerator available for any perishable items.

See Registration Button to register for the Retreat.

Retreat will be held at the
Theosophical Society
1926 N Main Street
Wheaton, IL

Contact: director@tendirectionszen.org


Registration Form

 


Ken-Kessel.jpg
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Jun
22
to Jun 23

Weekend Retreat: June 22-23, 2019 at Chicago Kwan Um Zen Center

  • Ja Gak Am/ Chicago Kwan Um Zen Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS


Zen Master Soeng Hyang (Barbara Rhodes)


Retreat June 22-23
with Zen Master Soeng Hyang

Zen Master Soeng Hyang (Barbara Rhodes) is the School Zen Master of the Kwan Um School of Zen. She received dharma transmission from Zen Master Seung Sahn on October 10, 1992. She was one of Zen Master Seung Sahn's first American students and studied with him beginning in 1972. She helped found Providence Zen Center, and lived there for seventeen years, serving in a number of administrative capacities.

Saturday, June 22nd
6 AM - 9 PM
Public Dharma talk at 1:30 PM.

Sunday, June 23rd
6 AM - 3 PM

Cost is $75/Day. 

Overnight accommodations are available.

Please contact Mark Garrett for more information: empty1001@yahoo.com or
Ed Augustine at cbeyond.eja@gmail.com


Retreat will be held at the 
Chicago Kwan Um Zen Center
28025 N Lake View Circle
McHenry, IL 60051

bobbie-rhodes-image.jpg
Registration Form
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Sep
29
to Sep 30

Weekend Retreat: September 29-30, 2018

  • Ja Gak Am/ Chicago Kwan Um Zen Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS


Zen Master Soeng Hyang (Barbara Rhodes)

Saturday, 29th
6 AM - 9 PM; Dharma Talk - 1:30 PM

Sunday, September 30th
6 am to 3 pm
Public sitting from 8:30 am until noon
Public Dharma talk at 1:30 - 3:00 pm.

Cost is $75/Day. 

Overnight accommodations are available.

Please contact Mark Garrett for more information: empty1001@yahoo.com

Retreat will be held at the
Chicago Kwan Um Zen Center

28025 N Lake View Circle
McHenry, IL 60051

Registration Form

 

Zen Master Soeng Hyang is the School Zen Master of the Kwan Um School of Zen. She received dharma transmission from Zen Master Seung Sahn on October 10, 1992. She was one of Zen Master Seung Sahn's first American students and studied with him beginning in 1972. 

bobbie-rhodes-image.jpg
View Event →
Feb
17
to Feb 24

February 2018 Retreat

Retreat February 17-24
with Zen Master Jok Um


SAVE THE DATES

Full details are still being worked out but if you know you would like to attend all or some of the retreat you can let us know by completing the registration form (click here to download the registration form) or contacting:
 

Or you can email to:
Ed Augustine at info@isthmuszencommunity.org  
Mark Garrett at empty1001@yahoo.com

Questions can be sent to Ed or Mark at email addresses above.



Here is what we know for sure:

Retreat will be held at the new
McHenry Retreat Center

28025 N Lake View Circle
McHenry, IL 60051


We will have a Center Naming Ceremony on Saturday, February 24


Costs (Includes meals and overnight Accommodations):
$60/day for 2 days or less
$50/day for 3 days or more
(Make Checks payable to Isthmus Zen Community.)

Partial Day Options will be available

If you plan to stay overnight, we need to know that as soon as possible.

Note: No one is turned away for financial reasons.  If you are unable to afford the full cost of the Retreat, please contact Mark or Ed to discuss scholarship options.

 

 

 

 

 

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