Sit-A-Thon Details
Cost
This event is free and open to the public. However! The Sit is a fundraiser, and we gratefully accept any donation you can provide. You can donate on our pledge page or at Clouds via credit/debit card, cash, check, or Venmo. Thank you for your generosity!
Childcare
We will provide Childcare during the following times - bring your little and go and enjoy sitting. There will be fun crafts, including making encouraging signs for those sitting!
Saturday (3/29) TBD
Sunday (3/30) TBD
During The Sit
You can come ANY TIME during the 24 hours and sit for as long or little as you like! Someone will be at the door to greet you - yes, even at 3:00 am.
Coffee, tea, water, and light snacks will be provided throughout. We will be having a potluck lunch in celebration after the Sit ends at 10:30am on Sunday 3/30.
There will be areas for resting and stretching outside the zendo.
During these 24 hours, we’ll be in noble silence in the zendo: there will be no talks or guided meditations (except in the last 90 minutes, there will be a guided meditation led by Sosan and 108 bells). Please speak softly while outside the zendo.
If you are new to meditation, there will be people on hand to teach you what you need to know! We also have handouts.
We have an accessible entryway, center, and seating arrangements. Walking meditation is also encouraged and there will be a space for this.
Meditation Instruction
Are you new to meditation? No problem! We will have greeters and teachers on-hand to support you. In addition to an info sheet, we will have teachers on hand to support you when you arrive.
Saturday, March 23
Teachers available all day from 10:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday, March 24
8:30 - 9:00 am: Zen orientation class
9:00 - 9:30 am: Guided meditation in the zendo
9:30 - 10:30am - 108 Bells….As the bell rings, we use the sound as an object of our meditation.
Schedule
Saturday, March 29th
We begin at 10:30 am on Saturday. The zendo will be open by 9:45am.
A bell will be rung every 1/2 hour until 10:00pm, but you can come in and sit, or leave, at any time. All meditation will be silent and there will always be someone sitting in the teacher’s seat, as well as someone in the zendo to help you if you need it.
Teachers will be on hand for meditation instruction from 10:00 am - 7:00pm.
Childcare will be available, as well. Times TBD.
Saturday Late Night: 10:00pm - 6:00 am March 30th
We will not be ringing any bells. Come and bask in uninterrupted silence. Outside the zendo, we ask that everyone observe noble silence and leave notes on the bulletin board for communications with folks sitting. You can also speak quietly if you have a question or need support.
Sunday March 29th
Early Birds: 6:00 am - 9:00 am
Bells begin ringing on the half hour once again. Please continue to remain in noble silence or very soft speaking, only as necessary.
Bring your breakfast for some mindful eating - porridge, fruit, coffee, and tea will be on hand, as well.
9:00 am - 9:30 am :: Guided Meditation ::
Sosan will guide the sangha in a meditation as we prepare for the ringing of the bells.
9:30 - 10:30 am :: Ringing of 108 Bells for peace ::
Join us as we use the sound of the bell as our meditation. This is a deeply powerful and nourishing practice. The final bell at 10:30 am will mark the end of our 24 hours - we did it!!
10:30 - 11:30 Celebratory Potluck Lunch
Join us as we gather together in celebration. All are welcome. If you’d like to bring food, please come with something that is fully cooked and doesn’t need to be heated. If you can’t bring food, no worries! The more, the merrier.
Zoom Links
Day #1: Saturday March 29th from 10:00 am CST - 11:59pm CST
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89175104539?pwd=oUtUBM2nDYi12PC2W9LvHTbaxZGbvm.1
Meeting ID: 891 7510 4539
Passcode: 587509
Day #2: Sunday March 30th from 12:00 am CST to 10:30 am CST
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83742362060?pwd=M3wzR6GzjbCapkbkX4aBvBO6aJvVdK.1
Meeting ID: 837 4236 2060
Passcode: 950337
“With time, your roots grow deep and your branches long. You lean a little less backward in fear and a little less forward in doubt, resting solidly right where you are. When the wind blows, you bend. When it stops, you straighten. Your boughs provide shelter and shade. Your strength supports the sky. Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes and the grass grows by itself.”