Practicing the Ways – Fall Retreat

Practicing the Ways: meeting of Vipassana and Zen

co-led by Patrice Koelsch and Onryu Kennedy

This retreat will explore how these practices intersect and complement each other. Our time together will include succinct investigation of foundation texts, dharma talks, guided meditation, and time for reflection practice.

Retreat Leaders

Rev. Onryu “GD” Kennedy has received transmission in both the Katagiri and Uchiyama Roshi lineages. In 2019 and 2020, she attended three-month practice periods at Toshoji International Zen Center (Japan) and in 2017 at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (California). In the Spring 2020 practice period at Toshoji she was Shuso, head monk, for the practice period. She completed zuise in January 2023, and in February 2024 her application for Kokusaifukuyoshi was approved by the Japanese Sotoshu.

Throughout her life she has valued social justice work as an expression of her vow. She is currently an Associate Teacher at Hokyoji Zen Practice Community. She experiences great joy in the opportunity to learn and teach Buddhist practices.

Dr. Patrice Koelsch, Buddhist Chaplain and Common Ground Meditation Center Teacher. Formally trained with a Ph.D. in Philosophy, Patrice began sitting at Common Ground Meditation Center in 1995. She is a graduate of Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leaders Program, and completed a year-long Buddhist Chaplaincy Training Program at the Sati Center for Buddhist Studies. She has practiced meditation at monasteries in Thailand and Myanmar. Patrice has provided hands-on care for persons in the last stages of HIV/AIDS, and worked for many years in HIV education and client support services. For more than 2 decades she has been facilitating meditation groups in correctional facilities. She is on the Board of the Minnesota Multifaith Network, and volunteers  with ISAIAH and Faith in Minnesota to bring about a multicultural democracy, a caring economy, and a just climate future.

Please email onryukennedy@gmail.com or pckoelsch@yahoo.com with any questions.