*New Date Added! Attend February 18th - 23rd, or April 29th - May 3rd, 2025

Themes of Transcendence

Instructor: Julianna Raye

*There are approximately 30 spots available in each retreat, and priority is given to those attending the full retreat on a first come, first served basis.

Please Join Me for Our In-Person Retreat

I'm so happy to invite you to RinzaiJi Zen center in Los Angeles, to explore Unified Mindfulness Transcendent techniques in this Zen temple where I have developed my own practice for so many years. This will be a small retreat of 30 attendees and commuters are welcomed.

Of course, as with any UM retreat, you're always free to practice in ways that work best for you. This includes the techniques you choose to do (or the choice to Do Nothing and Just Sit in silent communion), as well as the level of intensity of your retreat experience. To choose a lighter adventure you can arrive for breakfast and/or depart after dinner (meals will be in silence). For a more intense experience, come for the 6 am sit and complete your day at 8:30 pm, or do optional Yaza (extra sitting at night).

Each morning we'll be exploring a technique in the Transcend quadrant of UM's ULTRA grid (you can find the grid on the public UM wiki). This will be followed by a group practice Q&A. In the afternoons you'll sit silently in the zendo and those who would like to can visit with me privately for practice reports and suggestions. We'll also have special activities, such as a tea ceremony with Temple Director Myoren Yasukawa, as well as special evening talks and Q&A with Shinzen (he will not be in person, these will be virtual).

The retreat is structured in such a way as to give you a taste of Rinzai training. So, for example, between each 25 minute long sit there will be a standing break or walking Kinhin, in which you walk in step with the person behind you. This choreography helps you stay focused on your training. And if you choose to join the morning sits, and some evening sits, you'll experience chanting the sutras.

You may be wondering about things like accommodations and food. The accommodations are modest, dormitory style rooms in a house, generally fitting around 3 occupants per room. The beds are typically on the floor and the bathrooms are shared. The meals are simple, fresh, and vegetarian. They will include the flavors of Japan, such as tea rice. If you have special dietary needs we encourage you to bring food you can store in the refrigerator.

If you're coming in from out of town and prefer more privacy in your accommodations you may be able to secure an AirBnB nearby. If so, be aware that while the neighborhood directly surrounding RinzaiJi is somewhat gentrified, it still may not be safe for walking, especially on your own and/or in the dark. So use proper caution and consider renting with a partner or group and getting a shared car.

Regarding attendance, attending the full retreat will be prioritized. But if there's room, partial attendance may be possible. If you're interested in partial attendance, please indicate your preferred dates, and join the waitlist here.

I'm very much looking to being with you in person at RinzaiJi to do this essential work of practice, together.

In gratitude,
Julianna

Please Join Me for Our In-Person Retreat

The retreat is structured in such a way as to give you a taste of Rinzai training. So, for example, between each 25 minute long sit there will be a standing break or walking Kinhin, in which you walk in step with the person behind you. This choreography helps you stay focused on your training. And if you choose to join the morning and/or evening sits, you'll experience chanting the sutras.

I'm very much looking to being with you in person at RinzaiJi to do this essential work of practice, together.

In gratitude,
Julianna

Themes of Transcendence

February 2025 Schedule

Arrive the Evening of Monday, Feb. 17th, Depart the Morning of February 23rd.

This is a general schedule. Specific details may change.

AM Schedule

(Unless Specified Otherwise):

6:00 - 7:30 AM: Sit in the Zendo (Optional)

7:30 - 8:00 AM: Light Samu (work practice, eg. garden, kitchen)

8:00 - 9:30 AM: Breakfast & Break

9:30 - 12:00 PM: Technique Practice and Q&A with Julianna

PM Schedule

(Unless Specified Otherwise):

12:00 - 1:00 PM: Lunch

1:00 - 1:30 PM: Light Samu (meal cleanup)

1:30 - 2:30 PM: Break

2:30 - 5:00 PM: Practice in the Zendo (Optional 1-1 meets w/Julianna)

5:00 - 7:00 PM: Dinner and Break (or Samu)

7:00 - 8:30 PM: Evening Talk and Practice in the Zendo (Optional)

8:30 PM: Yaza (Optional)

Daily Themes

Day 1: Flow

Day 2: Spaciousness

Day 3: Turn Back

Day 4: Sensitizing Expansion/Contraction

Day 5: SHF Now

*Each day will include Kinhin (walking meditation) which offers an opportunity to practice Auto

Special Events:

Monday, February 17: Informal Welcome Dinner

Tuesday, February 18: 9:00 AM Tea Ceremony with Myoren (RinzaiJi Temple Director)

Sunday, February 23rd: Informal Breakfast

Sunday, February 23rd: Departure

Virtual Shinzen:

Evening Virtual Talks and Q&A

Wednesday, February 19, 7:00 - 8:30 PM: Shinzen's Talk and Q&A on Rinzai’s 4 Distinctions, Part 1

Thursday, February 20, 7:00 - 8:30 PM: Shinzen's Talk and Q&A on Rinzai’s 4 Distinctions, Part 2

Evening Talks in the Zendo with Julianna:

(Topic TBD):

Tuesday, February 18: Evening Talk with Julianna

Friday, February 21: Evening Talk with Julianna

Saturday, February 22: Evening Talk with Julianna

All sits are 25 minutes long alternating with Standing or Walking (Kinhin) practice.
There will be accommodations for practitioners who need chairs.
Morning and evening sits are optional so retreatants can choose their level of intensity.

Themes of Transcendence

April 2025 Schedule

Arrive the Evening of Monday, April 28th, Depart the Morning of May 4th.

This is a general schedule. Specific details may change.

AM Schedule

(Unless Specified Otherwise):

6:00 - 7:30 AM: Sit in the Zendo (Optional)

7:30 - 8:00 AM: Light Samu (work practice, eg. garden, kitchen)

8:00 - 9:30 AM: Breakfast & Break

9:30 - 12:00 PM: Technique Practice and Q&A with Julianna

PM Schedule

(Unless Specified Otherwise):

12:00 - 1:00 PM: Lunch

1:00 - 1:30 PM: Light Samu (meal cleanup)

1:30 - 2:30 PM: Break

2:30 - 5:00 PM: Practice in the Zendo (Optional 1-1 meets w/Julianna)

5:00 - 7:00 PM: Dinner and Break (or Samu)

7:00 - 8:30 PM: Evening Talk and Practice in the Zendo (Optional)

8:30 PM: Yaza (Optional)

Daily Themes

Day 1: Flow

Day 2: Spaciousness

Day 3: Turn Back

Day 4: Sensitizing Expansion/Contraction

Day 5: SHF Now

*Each day will include Kinhin (walking meditation) which offers an opportunity to practice Auto

Special Events:

Monday, April 28th: Informal Welcome Dinner

Tuesday, April 29th: 9:00 AM Tea Ceremony with Myoren (RinzaiJi Temple Director)

Sunday, May 4th: Informal Breakfast

Sunday, May 4th: Departure

Virtual Shinzen:

Evening Virtual Talks and Q&A

Wednesday, April 30, 7:00 - 8:30 PM: Shinzen's Talk and Q&A on Rinzai’s 4 Distinctions, Part 1

Thursday, May 1, 7:00 - 8:30 PM: Shinzen's Talk and Q&A on Rinzai’s 4 Distinctions, Part 2

Evening Talks in the Zendo with Julianna:

(Topic TBD):

Tuesday, April 29: Evening Talk with Julianna

Friday, May 2: Evening Talk with Julianna

Saturday, May 3: Evening Talk with Julianna

All sits are 25 minutes long alternating with Standing or Walking (Kinhin) practice.
There will be accommodations for practitioners who need chairs.
Morning and evening sits are optional so retreatants can choose their level of intensity.

Questions about this Retreat?

CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML

Themes of Transcendence

Instructor: Julianna Raye

*There are approximately 30 spots available in each retreat, and priority is given to those attending the full retreat on a first come, first served basis.

Your Instructor for the February 2023 Pathways Cohort (P18)

Kristen Connolly

I began practicing mindfulness meditation more than 20 years ago while working as a deadline-oriented, stressed-out journalist.

Early on, I had an obvious, but profound realization: The more I meditated, the better my life became. Mindfulness was like a multi-faceted jewel that made every aspect of my life sparkle. And the ease, clarity, and joy I drew from meditating inspired me to share mindfulness with others, both young and old.

As a mother, I recognized the value of teaching mindfulness to kids, teens, and families. As a former associate editor and staff writer for Forbes magazine, I saw the importance of bringing mindfulness within corporations and other settings to teach adults. Over the years, I’ve also realized the deep benefits of working intimately with individuals, coaching them one-on-one, and guiding them in their practice.

My training and teaching experience reflect the breadth of those pursuits.

Along with being a UM Level 2 coach, I’m also a certified mindfulness facilitator trained through UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center and a senior teacher with Inner Kids, an organization founded on the pioneering work of mindfulness educator Susan Kaiser Greenland. I’m also part of Unified Mindfulness’ yearlong Compass training.

I teach classes for UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center and eMindful, a leading provider of online mindfulness programming. I also work with schools and universities, teaching students, faculty, and administrators mindfulness and designing curricula to implement in school-wide programs. My work for corporations and organizations includes T Mobile, Northern Trust, the City of Hope, Korn Ferry, Intuit, the Broad Center, Orrick, the University of Virginia, and others. And last but not at all least, I teach Unified Mindfulness classes, coach clients one-on-one, and work as a Pathways Lead coach and Support coach.

I continue to write, and my journalistic curiosity and storytelling influence my teaching and coaching. So, too, does the belief that mediation practice ought to reach beyond the cushion to help us become more fulfilled and compassionate toward others and ourselves in our daily lives.

The Unified Mindfulness system has helped me do just that, and I’ve found the techniques and skills I’ve acquired through Shinzen Young’s wisdom life changing.

A quote from author Winifred Gallagher serves as an overarching promise of what I hope to offer those who work with me. She writes:

“Paying rapt attention, whether to a trout stream or a novel, a do-it-yourself-project or a prayer, increases your capacity for concentration, expands your inner boundaries, and lifts your spirits, but more important, it simply makes you feel life is worth living.”

To learn more about Kelly, go here.

Bob Chiang

Bob Chiang is a UK-based UM Mindfulness L2 Coach . Being born and raised in Singapore, he experienced a rich and diverse environment, drawing on the varied influences of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Christianity. He later lived in Kuwait for seven years, before moving to Scotland, and then finally settling in Derbyshire, England. Living in so many varied places cultivated an appreciation for the beauty and diversity of different cultures and people.

Bob enjoys connecting with and interacting with people, and exploring the areas of life that speak to our deeper selves. This has led him to pursue his vocation as a Mindfulness Coach. He works with people from all walks of life, through one-to-one mindfulness coaching or through courses he runs for the corporate sector. In particular, he finds the techniques in Unified Mindfulness to be useful and effective in helping people to be happy and fulfilled. In his sessions, he brings warmth, patience, and a touch of humor. Alongside his practice as a Mindfulness Coach, he has an ongoing interest in mindful approaches to the experiences of those in hospices and for the end of life. He also teaches Tai Chi Chuan and is a bodyworker.

To learn more about Bob, go here.

Kristen Connolly

Kristen Connolly, CMT-P, is dedicated to introducing the benefits of mindfulness to those who are new to meditation, and to those who would like to develop a workable, customized practice that best fits their needs. She is committed to demonstrating the practical applications of being present, responding vs. reacting, and experiencing genuine confidence to achieve short- and long-term goals. Kristen works with people to find the best solution to meet their mindfulness aspirations, while embodying what she teaches with an empathetic, engaging demeanor.

After years of adventure in the music business, Kristen supported Fortune 100 senior and C-level executives for over 20 years. She experienced first-hand the struggles to balance work and personal life, navigate career advancement, and manage multiple competing priorities. In 2015, after meditating for almost a decade, Kristen fully committed to learn how to stay true to herself while managing the chaos of the corporate executive suite.

Kristen has completed the UCLA Semel Institute Training in Mindfulness Facilitation, having previously completed the Intensive Practice Program at UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC), led by Diana Winston and Dr. Marvin Belzer, and is a Certified Mindfulness Teacher – Professional Level, accredited by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association. She is a Certified Teacher/Trainer in Shinzen Young’s Unified Mindfulness system, having participated in the inaugural cohort of Compass; Unified Mindfulness’ advanced teacher training. In addition to supporting students in UM’s Pathways training by taking on support coach and co-teaching roles, she continues to deepen her own practice through ongoing programs with Diana Winston, Michael Taft, and Ethan Nichtern.

Kristen finds gratification and inspiration through discovering amazing fresh fruits, veggies, and treats at her local farmers’ markets, and revels in guiltlessly spending an entire afternoon on her couch with a great, or even just pretty good, book.

To learn more about Kristen, go here.

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*New Date Added! Attend February 18th - 23rd, or April 29th - May 3rd, 2025

Themes of Transcendence

Instructor: Julianna Raye

*There are approximately 30 spots available in each retreat, and priority is given to those attending the full retreat on a first come, first served basis.

Please Join Me for Our In-Person Retreat

Please Join Me for Our In-Person Retreat

Themes of Transcendence

February 2025 Schedule

Arrive the Evening of Monday, Feb. 17th, Depart the Morning of February 23rd.

Themes of Transcendence

April 2025 Schedule

Arrive the Evening of Monday, April 28th, Depart the Morning of May 4th.

Questions about this Retreat?

Themes of Transcendence

Instructor: Julianna Raye

*There are approximately 30 spots available in each retreat, and priority is given to those attending the full retreat on a first come, first served basis.

Your Instructor for the February 2023 Pathways Cohort (P18)

Kristen Connolly

Bob Chiang

Kristen Connolly

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