Online Programs & Retreats

Zen Precepts Exploration
A Four-Part Series
Offered by Zen Dharma Holder Stephen Doetsu Snyder

Date: September–December 2023

Location:

Online, via Zoom

REGISTER NOW!

Dates:
Four Sundays
September 10th ~ October 15th
November 5th ~ December 10th

Time:
12–4 pm US Eastern time

Investment:
$120 Subsidized ~ $240 Sustaining ~ $480 Supporting

Zen Precepts Exploration

The Zen Buddhist precepts are wholesome guides for Awakened living. Each precept points to ways of viewing our behavior, as well as furthering the functioning of the Absolute.

In this four-part online retreat series, we will read, review, and reflect upon the layered meanings and personal application of each Zen Buddhist precept. The focus of the program is to reveal the multi-layers of meaning each person can discover when relating to a particular precept and how we can incorporate the precept into our living more directly from truth, while leaving as little karmic wake behind us on our journey.

The format of the retreat includes:

  • talks, instruction, and guided meditation practices
  • group discussion on the precepts and experiences
  • opportunity for question and response with Stephen
  • three-month access to the retreat recordings

Investment: Suggested contribution of $120, $240, or $480.
Register Now: app.ruzuku.com/courses/89252/about


Next Steps:

In early 2024, Stephen will be offering Jukai—the giving and receiving of the precepts to students. This would be a requirement for anyone wishing to take Jukai with me starting next year.

Jukai is a ceremony of receiving the precepts, joining the Zen lineage with Stephen and confirming the ongoing personal student-teacher relationship with Stephen, while receiving a dharma name from Stephen on your hand-sewn rakusu.

Those interested in Jukai should contact Stephen for a one-on-one appointment to discuss the timing and appropriateness of this ancient and sacred ceremony.

Stephen Doetsu Snyder is a retired attorney and a senior meditation teacher in the Buddhist Theravada and Zen traditions.  He is the author of Demystifying Awakening, Buddha’s Heart, and co-author of Practicing the Jhanas. He works with students worldwide as well as leading online and in-person retreat in the U.S., the U.K., and Europe.

Dharmachanics Weekend Retreat: Demystifying Awakening

Date: September 23rd & 24th, 2023

Location:

Online, via Zoom

To join, visit www.dharmachanics.com

Accessing the Absolute: The Profundity of Peace
Offered by Zen Dharma Holder Stephen Doetsu Snyder

Date: October 10th & 11th, 2023

Location:

Online, via Zoom

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9am–1pm US Pacific Time / 12–4pm US Eastern Time

Investment: $60 Subsidized, $120 Sustaining, or $240 Supporting.

Extending from the teaching and practices offered in the Accessing the Absolute retreats, this two-day retreat will move deeper into peace and stillness. We will focus on the Absence (emptiness) qualities of the Absolute paying particular attention to peace, silence and stillness. We will cultivate these qualities of the Absolute through group guided meditations, dharma talks, and time for comments and questions.

The retreat includes:

  • talks, instruction, and guided meditation practices
  • group discussion on the practices and experiences
  • ample opportunity for questions or comments with Stephen
  • three-month access to the retreat recording

Stephen Doetsu Snyder is a retired attorney and a senior meditation teacher in the Buddhist Theravada and Zen traditions.  He is the author of Demystifying Awakening, Buddha’s Heart, and co-author of Practicing the Jhanas. He works with students worldwide as well as leading online and in-person retreat in the U.S., the U.K., and Europe.

Investment: $60 Subsidized, $120 Sustaining, or $240 Supporting.
Register Now: app.ruzuku.com/courses/88795/about

Demystifying Awakening Mentoring Program
A Six-Month Series

Date: November 2023–April 2024

Location:

Online, via Zoom

REGISTER NOW!

9am–1pm US Pacific Time / 12–4pm US Eastern Time
Monthly on a Saturday
November 4 ~ December 9 ~ January 13
February 17 ~ March 16 ~ April 27

Investment:
For Six Months
$50 monthly ~ Standard, one-on-ones paid for, as needed
$125 monthly ~ Includes 30-minute one-on-one
$200 monthly ~ Includes 60-minute one-on-one

This six-month mentoring program is based on Stephen’s books Demystifying Awakening and Trust in Awakening .

The program is a wonderfully rare opportunity for dharma practitioners to deepen awareness and work with the common resistances to Awakening and realization, while opening to the profound awakenings possible in this kind of deep exploration with one-on-one support in a safe, holding container. To support this, the group will be limited in participation to maintain cohesion and intimacy.

The program will include:

  • Six monthly 4-hour group Zoom gatherings, recorded and shared on an online course platform
  • Monthly readings from the books
  • Monthly small-group peer connections
  • An interactive platform for group discussion about course content, discussion questions, and readings with direct feedback from Stephen
  • Access to all course materials for three months following the course completion

Investment:

  • $50/month, includes access to everything above, one-on-ones paid for, as needed
  • $125/month, includes access to everything above, and a 30-minute one-on-one check-in
  • $200/month sustaining, includes access to everything above, and a 60-minute one-on-one check-in

Register: app.ruzuku.com/courses/89515/about

Monthly Schedule:
We will meet one Saturday each month, from 12–4 pm US Eastern Time.
To check out your local time, please have a look here.
May 27 ~ June 24 ~July 8

August 5th ~ September 9th ~ October 14th

Absence of Cessation
Offered by Zen Dharma Holder Stephen Doetsu Snyder

Date: November 21st & 22nd, 2023

Location:

Online, via Zoom

REGISTER NOW!

9am–1pm US Pacific Time / 12–4pm US Eastern Time

Investment: Suggested contribution of $60 Subsidized, $120 Sustaining, or $240 Supporting.

In this two-day retreat we will focus on the Absence (emptiness) qualities of the Absolute, the profound peace, the stunning stillness, and the non-conceptual contact with the Absolute on the path of Cessation.  Cessation is the temporary ceasing of all mental and physical activity completely absorbing into the source of all reality.

The format of the retreat includes:

  • talks, instruction, and guided meditation practices
  • group discussion on the practices and experiences
  • ample opportunity for questions or comments with Stephen
  • three-month access to the retreat recording

Stephen Doetsu Snyder is a retired attorney and a senior meditation teacher in the Buddhist Theravada and Zen traditions.  He is the author of Demystifying Awakening, Buddha’s Heart, and co-author of Practicing the Jhanas. He works with students worldwide as well as leading online and in-person retreat in the U.S., the U.K., and Europe.

Investment: Suggested contribution of $60, $120, or $240.
Register Now: app.ruzuku.com/courses/88850/about

Unconditioned Love
Offered by Zen Dharma Holder Stephen Doetsu Snyder

Date: December 6th & 7th, 2023

Location:

Online, via Zoom

REGISTER NOW!

9am–1pm US Pacific Time / 12–4pm US Eastern Time

Investment: Suggested contribution of $60 Subsidized, $120 Sustaining, or $240 Supporting.

In this two-day retreat we will focus on the unconditioned love quality of the Absolute through group guided meditations, dharma talks and comments and questions.

The format of the retreat includes:

  • talks, instruction, and guided meditation practices
  • group discussion on the practices and experiences
  • ample opportunity for questions or comments with Stephen
  • three-month access to the retreat recording

Stephen Doetsu Snyder is a retired attorney and a senior meditation teacher in the Buddhist Theravada and Zen traditions.  He is the author of Demystifying Awakening, Buddha’s Heart, and co-author of Practicing the Jhanas. He works with students worldwide as well as leading online and in-person retreat in the U.S., the U.K., and Europe.

Investment: Suggested contribution of $60, $120, or $240.
Register Now: app.ruzuku.com/courses/88884/about

Buddha’s Heart
A Six-Month Mentoring Program

Date: January–June 2024

Location:

Online, via Zoom.

REGISTER NOW!

Dates:
Six Saturdays
January 20 ~ February 10 ~ March 23
April 28 ~ May 18 ~ June 22

Time:
12–4 pm US Eastern time

Buddha’s Heart Mentoring Program
Stephen is pleased to offer this six-month mentoring program, focussed  in the heart practices and based on his book Buddha’s Heart: Meditation Practice for Developing Well-being, Love, and Empathy.

This program is a precious opportunity for dharma practitioners to deepen heart awareness and work with the common resistances to deepening heart awareness, while opening to the profound awakenings possible in this kind of deep heart exploration with one-on-one support in a safe, holding container. To support this, the group will be limited in participation to maintain cohesion and intimacy.

The program will include:

  • Six monthly 4-hour group Zoom gatherings, recorded and shared on an online course platform
  • Monthly readings from the books
  • Monthly small-group peer connections
  • An interactive platform for group discussion about course content, discussion questions, and readings with direct feedback from Stephen
  • Access to all course materials for three months following the course completion

Investment: 

  • $50 monthly ~ Standard, one-on-ones paid for, as needed
  • $125 monthly ~ Includes 30-minute one-on-one
  • $200 monthly ~ Includes 60-minute one-on-one

Monthly Schedule:
We will meet one Saturday each month, from 12–4 pm US Eastern Time.
January 20 ~ February 10 ~ March 23
April 28 ~ May 18 ~ June 22

Investment: $50, $120, or $240, monthly for six months.
Register Now: app.ruzuku.com/courses/89653/about

Stephen Doetsu Snyder is a retired attorney and a senior meditation teacher in the Buddhist Theravada and Zen traditions.  He is the author of five books, including Demystifying Awakening, Buddha’s Heart, and Practicing the Jhanas. He works with students worldwide as well as leading online and in-person retreat in the U.S., the U.K., and Europe.

Buddha’s Heart Teacher Training
2024–2025

Date: January 2024–December 2025

Location:

Online, via Zoom

APPLY NOW!

Monthly Schedule:
**Dates to follow, first and third Monday dates may shift from time to time to support scheduling commitments.**
– Group meeting the first Monday for 1.5 hours
– Group meeting the third Monday for 1 hour
– A 30-minute one-on-one with Stephen
– A 60-minute peer group check-in

Investment:
$2,500 annually, for a total of $5,000 USD.
A limited number of partial scholarships are available.

Buddha’s Heart Two-Year Teacher Training Program

APPLY NOW!

To be a teacher is to commit to being “in service” to the Dharma, the teachings, the body of meditations and practices, and to students.

This two-year program will include an in-depth exploration of the brahmavihāra practices as conveyed in Stephen’s book Buddha’s Heart along with a thorough exploration and examination of resistances to these true nature’s heart qualities.  You will learn how to present each of the practices and meditations, as well as what to expect in public question periods.

Each month of the program will include:

  • Assigned readings from Buddha’s Heart and other sources
  • Group Zoom calls – one call will be Stephen’s presentation of the material for that month. The other call will be Stephen working with the group’s questions, comments, and processing of the material for that month.
  • A thirty minute one-on-one call with Stephen to develop your personal practice in relation to the material in the teacher training
  • Online and interactive discussion questions via the course platform
  • Students presenting a dharma talk and responding to practice questions from their classmates.

Those interested in this program would:

  • See Stephen as their primary teacher
  • Commit to the two-year program
  • Actively participate in all calls and post written responses to questions
  • Adhere to a Teacher Code of Ethics
  • Maintain regular calls with Stephen to develop and deepen their spiritual unfolding
  • Continue regular one-on-one calls with Stephen after the conclusion of the two-year training
  • Attend as many of Stephen’s online or in-person retreats, daylong retreats, and/or meditation groups as possible.

The two-year investment for this program is $2,500 annually, for a total of $5,000 USD.  A limited number of partial scholarships are available.

Those who complete the two-year program will be authorized to teach evening talks and 1–2 day retreats.  Those who feel drawn to can continue their teacher training one-on-one with Stephen to learn to lead longer retreats and teach other subjects.

Being a teacher is a calling.  It can be richly rewarding and simultaneously quite demanding.  There may be people who elect to participate in the program for their own development and, ultimately, do not feel called to teach.

APPLY NOW!

If you have not worked with Stephen previously or recently a Zoom interview may be requested to determine if this program is the right fit for your practice experience. Please write to hello@awakeningdharma.org if you’d like to arrange a Zoom interview prior to application.

The Brahmavihāras
Offered by Zen Dharma Holder Stephen Doetsu Snyder

Date: January 17th & 16th, 2024

Location:

Online, via Zoom

REGISTER NOW!

9am–1pm US Pacific Time / 12–4pm US Eastern Time

Investment: Suggested contribution of $60 Subsidized, $120 Sustaining, or $240 Supporting.

The Brahmavihāras, or Divine Abodes, are ancient Buddhist heart meditations, and related practices, that reveal and awaken our deepest nature’s heart qualities. During this two-day, we will explore the meditations, practices, and common resistances to these four heart qualities: Equanimity (Uppekhā), Empathetic Joy (Muditā), Compassion (Karuṇā), and Loving-Kindness (Mettā).

The format of the retreat includes:

  • talks, instruction, and guided meditation practices
  • group discussion on the practices and experiences
  • ample opportunity for questions or comments with Stephen
  • three-month access to the retreat recording

Stephen Doetsu Snyder is a retired attorney and a senior meditation teacher in the Buddhist Theravada and Zen traditions.  He is the author of Demystifying Awakening, Buddha’s Heart, and co-author of Practicing the Jhanas. He works with students worldwide as well as leading online and in-person retreat in the U.S., the U.K., and Europe.

Investment: Suggested contribution of $60, $120, or $240.
Register Now: app.ruzuku.com/courses/89514/about