9:00-10:30 Zazen (Three twenty-five minutes sitting sessions with 5 minutes of kinhin after each sit)
Traditional Soto Zen Service 10:30 AM
Dharma Talk: 10:30 AM
Speaker: Roshi, Senior Teacher, or Guest
We will be closed for the Holidays
Please read "The Original Frontier" as background reference. I will expand upon its content, and entertain any questions you may have in the Q&A dialog. See schedule.
MONTHLY CONTENT
I will review and expound upon 1 of 9 chapters each Saturday morning:
April 26: "Following the Sages"
May 24: "Where Zazen Differs"
June 28: " Finding Workarounds"
July 26: "Deconstructing the Senses"
August 23: "Embracing Nonduality"
September 27: "Applying Zen to Life"
October 25: "Benefitting from Zen"
November 29: "Designing a Zen Life"
December 27: "The Razorblade of Zen"
Fees:
The fees for this program support Roshi in his work and benefit ASZC. They may be paid per session at the door or online. Additional dana for the teacher is accepted and appreciated. Place cash or checks in the dana box provided or send via PayPal, Zelle, or Venmo to taiunmelliston@gmail.com. Contact Roshi for additional information.
Individual Class (Per session): $40
Email: taiunmelliston@gmail.com for additional questions
9:00-10:30 Zazen (Three twenty-five minutes sitting sessions with 5 minutes of kinhin after each sit)
Traditional Soto Zen Service 10:30 AM
Dharma Talk: 10:30 AM
Speaker: Roshi, Senior Teacher, or Guest
You are invited to join:
Sitting 7:30 - 9:00
Noodles 9:00 - 9:30
Sitting 10:00 - 12:00
Ringing - 10:00 - 12:00
BYO Party - 12:00 - 1:00
Writing wishes for the new year & burning them in the ceremonial fire
Please join us as we ring in the New Year, burn your memories and wishes in the ritual fire, and party at midnight! Ringing the big bell 108 times until the stroke of Midnight while chanting one stanza per minute from Master Dogen’s “108 Dharma Gates of Illumination”
INTRODUCTION to SOTO ZEN MEDITATION:
7:00 - 8:30 pm - Orientation and Instructions including 15-20 min meditation (ZAZEN) sessions with 5-min walking (kinhin)
The first 25 minutes is zazen(meditation) followed by an informal discussion on the book that ends at 9:00 PM.
9:00-10:30 Zazen (Three twenty-five minutes sitting sessions with 5 minutes of kinhin after each sit)
Traditional Soto Zen Service 10:30 AM
Dharma Talk: 10:30 AM
Speaker: Roshi, Senior Teacher, or Guest
ROHATSU is the annual celebration of Buddha’s Enlightenment. We emulate his supreme effort by sitting up all night on Saturday — outdoors weather permitting — and facing the East, where he saw the morning star, triggering his awakening. This year’s retreat is condensed into two days over the weekend. We will begin sitting Saturday evening at 9pm, and then will join the regular program on Sunday AM.
All are invited to attend (at zendo or online) and follow the schedule as you are able. We recommend the overnight Saturday sit for those experienced in meditation. A recitation of selected teachings will be led. Plan to come for all or any part of the schedule.
Join us in person or online.
The first 25 minutes is zazen(meditation) followed by an informal discussion on the book that ends at 9:00 PM.
9:00-10:30 Zazen (Three twenty-five minutes sitting sessions with 5 minutes of kinhin after each sit)
Traditional Soto Zen Service 10:30 AM
Dharma Talk: Walking Along The Way
Speaker: Zenki Salad
Zenki first started his journey along The Way when he learned about Zen meditation at Eido Shimano’s temple, New York Zendo Shobo-Ji, in Manhattan in 1997. There he was taught the correct zazen forms and how to sit zazen. He then moved on to study Zen Buddhism in earnest at Zen Mountain Monastery and its affiliate temple, Fire Lotus also in Manhattan, NY. He became a formal student of Daido Roshi, who founded the Monastery, and also studied with Myotai Treace, who was the abbess of the temple. Many years later, he became a student of Blanche Hartmann, of the San Francisco Zen Center, from whom he received Jukai, and practiced with her until her death. Since that time, Zenki has been living in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Because there are no formal Zendos or Zen teachers in the area, Zenki has been practicing with a variety of places in the United States online, through Zoom. He spent a year practicing with Genjo Marinello out of Seattle, and a year practicing with Taiun Ellison out of Atlanta, as well as various smaller zendos throughout the USA. Zenki is very grateful to all teachers who are offering themselves in service to the Dharma, and he has learned a great deal from them, in his 28 year practice, so far. He has practiced in the ways of Soto, Rinzai and White Plum; all have proved wonderful and provide meaningful guidelines in the practice and study of Zen Buddhism. He is particularly fond of reading treatises by Zen ancestors such as Keizan, Huang Po and Dogen, et. al.
Each 1st Thursday of the month the workshop will feature exercises in creative combinations of 5 focal points:
1 - Natural Posture: Finding Your Center (zazen)
2 - Natural Breath: Following The Body (kyuki & koki)
3 - Mindful Attention: Nurturing Beginner’s Mind (shoshin)
4 - Walking & Chanting: Feeling Stillness in Motion (kinhin, mokurai)
5 - Healing & Sleeping: Promoting Wellbeing (ki)
No donation required; no donation refused
The first 25 minutes is zazen (meditation) followed by an informal discussion on the book that ends at 9:00 PM.
9:00-10:30 Zazen (Three twenty-five minutes sitting sessions with 5 minutes of kinhin after each sit)
Traditional Soto Zen Service 10:30 AM
Dharma Talk: 10:30 AM
Speaker: Roshi, Senior Teacher, or Guest
We will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday
9:00-10:30 Zazen (Three twenty-five minutes sitting sessions with 5 minutes of kinhin after each sit)
Traditional Soto Zen Service 10:30 AM
Dharma Talk: 10:30 AM
Speaker: Roshi, Senior Teacher, or Guest
Please read "The Original Frontier" as background reference. I will expand upon its content, and entertain any questions you may have in the Q&A dialog. See schedule.
MONTHLY CONTENT
I will review and expound upon 1 of 9 chapters each Saturday morning:
April 26: "Following the Sages"
May 24: "Where Zazen Differs"
June 28: " Finding Workarounds"
July 26: "Deconstructing the Senses"
August 23: "Embracing Nonduality"
September 27: "Applying Zen to Life"
October 25: "Benefitting from Zen"
November 29: "Designing a Zen Life"
December 27: "The Razorblade of Zen"
Fees:
The fees for this program support Roshi in his work and benefit ASZC. They may be paid per session at the door or online. Additional dana for the teacher is accepted and appreciated. Place cash or checks in the dana box provided or send via PayPal, Zelle, or Venmo to taiunmelliston@gmail.com. Contact Roshi for additional information.
Individual Class (Per session): $40
Email: taiunmelliston@gmail.com for additional questions
INTRODUCTION to SOTO ZEN MEDITATION:
7:00 - 8:30 pm - Orientation and Instructions including 15-20 min meditation (ZAZEN) sessions with 5-min walking (kinhin)
The first 25 minutes is zazen( meditation) followed by an informal discussion on the book that ends at 9:00 PM.
9:00-10:30 Zazen (Three twenty-five minutes sitting sessions with 5 minutes of kinhin after each sit)
Traditional Soto Zen Service 10:30 AM
Dharma Talk: 10:30 AM
Speaker: Roshi, Senior Teacher, or Guest
MONTHLY CONTENT CYCLE — Each Thursday will feature 1 of 5 focal points:
1st - Natural Posture..........Finding Your Center (zazen)
2nd - Natural Breath............Following The Body (kyuki & koki)
3rd - Mindful Attention.......Nurturing Beginner’s Mind (shoshin)
4th - Walking & Chanting...Feeling Stillness in Motion (kinhin, mokurai)
5th - Healing & Sleeping....Promoting Wellbeing (ki)
WEEKLY EVENING SCHEDULE—3 Periods:
1) Method of Zen—Demonstration & Explanation: 30 min
— Coping with Barriers to Practice
— Distress vs Comfort; Anxiety vs Serenity; Confusion vs Clarity; Friction vs Harmony; Skillful Means
2) Sitting + Teisho: 30 min
— Posture Correction & Blow of Compassion (Zazen & Kyosaku)
— Physical, Emotional, Mental, Social Samadhi; Awakening Self & Others
3) Q&A + Tea: 30 min
— Q&A, Tea Service (Sanzen & O-cha)
Hybrid Format—Onsite/Online Participation (Suggested Fee $10/Session)
Scan QR code to register and/or contact Elliston-roshi for questions:
No donation required; no donation refused
The first 25 minutes is zazen (meditation) followed by an informal discussion on the book that ends at 9:00 PM.
9:00-10:30 Zazen (Three twenty-five minutes sitting sessions with 5 minutes of kinhin after each sit)
Traditional Soto Zen Service 10:30 AM
Dharma Talk: 10:30 AM
Speaker: Roshi, Senior Teacher, or Guest
MONTHLY CONTENT CYCLE — Each Thursday will feature 1 of 5 focal points:
1st - Natural Posture..........Finding Your Center (zazen)
2nd - Natural Breath............Following The Body (kyuki & koki)
3rd - Mindful Attention.......Nurturing Beginner’s Mind (shoshin)
4th - Walking & Chanting...Feeling Stillness in Motion (kinhin, mokurai)
5th - Healing & Sleeping....Promoting Wellbeing (ki)
WEEKLY EVENING SCHEDULE—3 Periods:
1) Method of Zen—Demonstration & Explanation: 30 min
— Coping with Barriers to Practice
— Distress vs Comfort; Anxiety vs Serenity; Confusion vs Clarity; Friction vs Harmony; Skillful Means
2) Sitting + Teisho: 30 min
— Posture Correction & Blow of Compassion (Zazen & Kyosaku)
— Physical, Emotional, Mental, Social Samadhi; Awakening Self & Others
3) Q&A + Tea: 30 min
— Q&A, Tea Service (Sanzen & O-cha)
Hybrid Format—Onsite/Online Participation (Suggested Fee $10/Session)
Scan QR code to register and/or contact Elliston-roshi for questions:
No donation required; no donation refused
INTRODUCTION to SOTO ZEN MEDITATION:
7:00 - 8:30 pm - Orientation and Instructions including 15-20 min meditation (ZAZEN) sessions with 5-min walking (kinhin)
The first 25 minutes is zazen (meditation) followed by an informal discussion on the book that ends at 9:00 PM.
9:00-10:30 Zazen (Three twenty-five minutes sitting sessions with 5 minutes of kinhin after each sit)
Traditional Soto Zen Service 10:30 AM
Dharma Talk:
Speaker: TBD
MONTHLY CONTENT CYCLE — Each Thursday will feature 1 of 5 focal points:
1st - Natural Posture..........Finding Your Center (zazen)
2nd - Natural Breath............Following The Body (kyuki & koki)
3rd - Mindful Attention.......Nurturing Beginner’s Mind (shoshin)
4th - Walking & Chanting...Feeling Stillness in Motion (kinhin, mokurai)
5th - Healing & Sleeping....Promoting Wellbeing (ki)
WEEKLY EVENING SCHEDULE—3 Periods:
1) Method of Zen—Demonstration & Explanation: 30 min
— Coping with Barriers to Practice
— Distress vs Comfort; Anxiety vs Serenity; Confusion vs Clarity; Friction vs Harmony; Skillful Means
2) Sitting + Teisho: 30 min
— Posture Correction & Blow of Compassion (Zazen & Kyosaku)
— Physical, Emotional, Mental, Social Samadhi; Awakening Self & Others
3) Q&A + Tea: 30 min
— Q&A, Tea Service (Sanzen & O-cha)
Hybrid Format—Onsite/Online Participation (Suggested Fee $10/Session)
Scan QR code to register and/or contact Elliston-roshi for questions:
No donation required; no donation refused
The first 25 minutes is zazen (meditation) followed by an informal discussion on the book that ends at 9:00 PM.
9:00-10:30 Zazen (Three twenty-five minutes sitting sessions with 5 minutes of kinhin after each sit)
Traditional Soto Zen Service 10:30 AM
Dharma Talk: 10:30 AM
Speaker: Roshi, Senior Teacher, or Guest
Please read "The Original Frontier" as background reference. I will expand upon its content, and entertain any questions you may have in the Q&A dialog. See schedule.
MONTHLY CONTENT
I will review and expound upon 1 of 9 chapters each Saturday morning:
April 26: "Following the Sages"
May 24: "Where Zazen Differs"
June 28: " Finding Workarounds"
July 26: "Deconstructing the Senses"
August 23: "Embracing Nonduality"
September 27: "Applying Zen to Life"
October 25: "Benefitting from Zen"
November 29: "Designing a Zen Life"
December 27: "The Razorblade of Zen"
Fees:
The fees for this program support Roshi in his work and benefit ASZC. They may be paid per session at the door or online. Additional dana for the teacher is accepted and appreciated. Place cash or checks in the dana box provided or send via PayPal, Zelle, or Venmo to taiunmelliston@gmail.com. Contact Roshi for additional information.
Individual Class (Per session): $40
Email: taiunmelliston@gmail.com for additional questions
MONTHLY CONTENT CYCLE — Each Thursday will feature 1 of 5 focal points:
1st - Natural Posture..........Finding Your Center (zazen)
2nd - Natural Breath............Following The Body (kyuki & koki)
3rd - Mindful Attention.......Nurturing Beginner’s Mind (shoshin)
4th - Walking & Chanting...Feeling Stillness in Motion (kinhin, mokurai)
5th - Healing & Sleeping....Promoting Wellbeing (ki)
WEEKLY EVENING SCHEDULE—3 Periods:
1) Method of Zen—Demonstration & Explanation: 30 min
— Coping with Barriers to Practice
— Distress vs Comfort; Anxiety vs Serenity; Confusion vs Clarity; Friction vs Harmony; Skillful Means
2) Sitting + Teisho: 30 min
— Posture Correction & Blow of Compassion (Zazen & Kyosaku)
— Physical, Emotional, Mental, Social Samadhi; Awakening Self & Others
3) Q&A + Tea: 30 min
— Q&A, Tea Service (Sanzen & O-cha)
Hybrid Format—Onsite/Online Participation (Suggested Fee $10/Session)
Scan QR code to register and/or contact Elliston-roshi for questions:
No donation required; no donation refused
The first 25 minutes is zazen (meditation) followed by an informal discussion on the book that ends at 9:00 PM.
9:00-10:30 Zazen (Three twenty-five minutes sitting sessions with 5 minutes of kinhin after each sit)
Traditional Soto Zen Service 10:30 AM
Dharma Talk: 10:30 AM
Speaker: Roshi, Senior Teacher, or Guest
AMERICAN ZEN PIONEER
Celebrating the 85th Anniversary of
Soyu Matsuoka Roshi coming to America
Oct. 15 to 19, 2025
“Many people question whether or not a person of another religion can sit in meditation. Why not? Meditation is to empty your mind and to purify it. It does not presuppose a religious creed.”— Matsuoka Roshi
2025 marks the 14th anniversary of our annual retreat! Everyone is welcome to attend online, as well as in person. ASZC will be the host site for this retreat. It will begin on October 15 at 6pm ET and end on October 19 at noon. Please take this yearly opportunity to join with other members of our far-flung Affiliates and members at large, in retreat.
This year we will focus on the Wisdom, Warmth and Wit of our root teacher and lineage Founder, Soyu Matsuoka Roshi on this 85th Anniversary of his coming and bringing Zen to America. We will line-up a variety of speakers who had the good fortune to actually meet and practice with O-Sensei in person, and who will share his teachings and personal anecdotes of his compassionate spirit — including his insistence that “Zen is for everyone”; and his prediction that genuine Zen will find its rebirth in America.
The Silent Thunder Order (STO, inc. 2011) is comprised of disciples and priests trained under our guiding teacher, Zenkai Taiun Elliston Roshi, in the STO/Mokurai tradition established by Matsuoka Roshi. The Atlanta Soto Zen Center (ASZC, inc. 1977) constitutes our Training Center and Headquarters. Both exist to support the needs of our Practice Leaders, and to serve their communities (sanghas), a network of independent Affiliated Zen groups and centers.
We look forward to gathering with you for this annual retreat. It represents a precious opportunity, not to be missed, to revitalize our Zen practice.
Please join us for zazen, engaging in dialog with members of our thirteen affiliate sanghas, as well as listening to, and deepening our understanding of, the Dharma. Please watch for future notices of more details on registration, schedule and speakers.
Prepare for the STO retreat, or just learn more about Matsuoka-Roshi by reading his books. You may purchase a copy of both The Kyosaku or Moku-Rai by following this link.
Location:
The retreat will be held in-person at our Training Center, and streamed virtually via Zoom:
Atlanta Soto Zen Center
1167 Zonolite Place NE
Atlanta GA 30306
