Welcome
Pathway Zen facilitates meditation and mindfulness groups in Brisbane. Our purpose is to offer a structured program that integrates and personalises Zen, as a practice-path, in daily life.
Most of us seek out meditation or mindfulness practice as a means to relieve anxiety or for therapeutic gains. We want to be happy, learn to relax, reduce stress or perhaps tame the tyranny of our constant mind chatter.
Few people consider however, that the desire to change ourselves or our circumstances, while perhaps necessary, is also the cause of anxiety itself.
Since our desires are endless and our main motivators in life, most of our energy and resources are directed towards satisfying our cravings resulting from our desires.
We constantly set preferences relating to our desires in the form of 'likes' and 'dislikes'. In fact, we always seek to gravitate towards one side of this ledger. The more 'likes' we have in our life, the more successful or happy we judge it to be.
When reality does not align with our preferences or desires, we usually suffer. This is because our expectations have not been met. Most of our stress, suffering and anxieties arise due to unmet expectations or unforeseen occurrences. Since we can hardly function without expectations, it is easy to get trapped in a never ending cycle of suffering, for which we then seek therapy or relief.
Meditation and mindfulness practice, in its original Buddhist context, was never practiced as a sole means to feel better or to obtain a therapeutic outcome. While this is an important side-benefit of meditation, on its own, it does not break the cycle of our constant cravings.
Instead, meditation in a Zen context, is a practice-path that aims to end suffering through direct personal insight into our own nature. Only through this direct insight can we experience the freedom that results from dislodging the hold our dualistic way of thinking has on us.
The goal of Pathway-Zen is to guide anyone that is serious about cultivating a Zen practice-path in their life. This is facilitated through a systematic program that includes aspects of both Rinzai and Soto Zen.
Pathway Zen is guided by Arno Hess, an authorised Zen teacher both in Australia and through the Sanbō Zen lineage in Japan.
As a secular and non-profit organisation, everyone is welcome irrespective of their tradition, religious affiliation or none. Please feel free to come along to one of our regular events in Spring Hill or Samford. All newcomers are given an introduction to Zen on arrival.
Upcoming Events:
4-11 Nov 2018 ~ seven-day retreat (Sesshin)
The next seven-day retreat (sesshin) will be held at the James Byrne Retreat Centre in Toowoomba. It starts at 4pm on Sunday the 4th of November and finishes at 10am on Sunday the 11th of November. Please note that we have been able to secure extra bedrooms and as a consequence this sesshin is no longer oversubscribed. This sesshin is for experienced meditators only and will be led by Arno Hess. For more information or registration, please visit our events page.
27.11.2018 (Tuesday evening)
Dharma talk in Samford. Our regular monthly dharma talk on Zen practice will be given during the evening, followed by Q&A and tea. All welcome.
29.11.2018 (Thursday evening)
Dharma talk in Spring Hill. Our regular monthly dharma talk will be given during the evening, followed by Q&A and tea. All welcome.
15th Nov to 20th Dec ~ Introduction to Zen lectures
Pathway Zen is offering a series of introduction to Zen lectures. This event is held over a 6 week program and is ideal for newcomers to Zen. The lectures focus on the foundations of the Zen practice-path within a lay Buddhist and secular context. The course is held on Thursday evenings to coincide with our regular Spring Hill sitting group and consists of an informal talk as well as practice periods with our regular group and includes zazen (sitting meditation) and kinhin (walking meditation).
To cover costs, a suggested donation of $10.00 per evening would be appreciated or as one can afford.
Please register by e-mailing: info@pathwayzen.org.au or by filling in a form on the events page of this website.
18.11.2018 (Sunday)
Zenkai in Samford. This daylong meditation retreat is ideal for newcomers and experienced meditators. The day consists of multiple silent meditation periods interspersed with walking meditation. Newcomers will be given an introduction to Zen on arrival. 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, BYO lunch. A $30.00 suggested donation would be appreciated.
26.11.2018
Daylong silent retreat in Springwood for experienced meditators as no instructions will be given. Any mode of silent meditation may be practiced. Participants are welcome to come for the morning only or for the full day. For more information please visit: dharmabrisbane.com.au
Community outreach program
Pathway Zen in conjunction with Sun Mountain Zen leads a weekly Inside Mindfulness Program for prisoners at a Correctional Centre in Brisbane. For more information e-mail Arno at info@pathwayzen.org.au
