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January 2019
Three-Day Retreat with Susan Schepp
Susan will give talks and be available for private meetings during this three-day retreat. Susan Schepp has a deep commitment to meditative work and has been involved in the Center since its inception. She has a small collection of poems she’s written at the Center, including one she read during a talk last June: Ripples upon ripples stretch across the pond The golden glistening stems of cattails bend graciously in the wind paying homage to the day. Leaves released from…
Find out more »February 2019
February All Day Sitting
All are welcome to attend this All Day Sitting, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 4:00 p.m. The day includes timed and un-timed sittings, a talk, vegetarian lunch, afternoon dialogue group, and refreshments/social time from 3:30 to 4:00. If you would like to attend, please contact us. A donation is requested for the day and lunch. It is helpful if participants arrive by 8:15 a.m. to sign in and choose a seat. If you would like to stay overnight…
Find out more »Seven-Day Retreat with Wayne Coger and Susan Schepp
Susan and Wayne will both give talks and be available to meet with others individually and in groups. Wayne Coger has led retreats since 2001. He worked with Toni Packer for more than 30 years, and has been a staff member of the Center since 1983, currently serving as administrator. Previously, he studied at the Rochester Zen Center. In an interview in Cypress Trees in the Garden, the Second Generation of Zen Teaching by Richard McDaniel, he said: . .…
Find out more »March 2019
Seven-Day Retreat with Les Schaffer
In this late winter/early spring retreat, Les will give morning talks, participate in afternoon group dialogues and offer private meetings. Les worked for many years with Toni Packer and was encouraged by her to share the work of meditative inquiry with others. Les writes about himself and his approach to retreats: How do you invite someone to drop what they’re doing, put aside their day to day responsibilities, activities, favorite haunts and friends, arrange with family and colleagues to get…
Find out more »March All Day Sitting
All are welcome to attend this All Day Sitting, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 4:00 p.m. The day includes timed and un-timed sittings, a talk, vegetarian lunch, afternoon dialogue group, and refreshments/social time from 3:30 to 4:00. If you would like to attend, please contact us. A donation is requested for the day and lunch. It is helpful if participants arrive by 8:15 a.m. to sign in and choose a seat. If you would like to stay overnight…
Find out more »April 2019
Center Closed―Rental to Blooming Lilac Sangha
The Center will be closed for a rental to the Blooming Lilac Sangha. For information please contact Janet Chaize at jchaize@rochester.rr.com.
Find out more »Four-Day Retreat with Stew Glick
Stew Glick began working with Roshi Phillip Kapleau at the Rochester Zen Center around 1971. He later began working closely with Toni Packer and came on the Zen Center staff in 1979. Stew played an instrumental role in the land search and initial construction for what would become Springwater Center. He spent over twenty years on staff as assistant administrator. He was one of several people whom Toni invited to continue the teaching work of the Center, and has led…
Find out more »May 2019
Seven-Day Retreat with Wayne Coger and Sandra Gonzalez
The beautiful month of May brings Sandra and Wayne together again for a retreat in which both will give talks and meet with participants privately and in the afternoon dialogue groups. Sandra Gonzalez has led retreats in both English and Spanish for several years. She began working with Toni in 1988. Previously, she studied at other meditation centers. Sandra was born and raised in Nicaragua. She leads or participates in retreats in Springwater and other locations each year. She writes:…
Find out more »June 2019
June All Day Sitting
All are welcome to attend this All Day Sitting, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 4:00 p.m. The day includes timed and untimed sittings, a talk, vegetarian lunch, afternoon dialogue group, and refreshments/social time from 3:30 to 4:00. If you would like to attend, please contact us. A donation is requested for the day and lunch. It is helpful if participants arrive by 8:15 a.m. to sign in and choose a seat. If you would like to stay overnight…
Find out more »Seven-Day Retreat with Stephan Bielfedt
Stephan Bielfedt started working with Toni Packer in 1983, regularly taking part in her retreats in Germany and and in the United States. Towards the end of 1990, Toni asked him to offer private meetings with participants during her retreats in Germany. In 2003, she asked that he lead retreats in Poland and in Germany, and since that time, he has been holding retreats regularly in German and in English, and has also helped to found two meditation groups. Stephan’s daily…
Find out more »Seven-Day Retreat with Richard Witteman
Richard Witteman will give talks and private meetings and will take part in the daily group dialogue. In the silence of retreat, space is here to pause, to slow down. Space to see and feel and listen, to question and wonder…to be intimately in silence, in the heart of whatever we are, whatever is here. Sunlight and shadow…trees and rustling leaves…sensations, thoughts, and feelings. There is room to ease up around judging, evaluating, and improving ourselves, trying to be someone…
Find out more »July 2019
Four-Day Retreat with Les Schaffer
In this midsummer retreat, Les Schaffer will give morning talks, participate in afternoon group dialogues and offer private meetings. Les worked for many years with Toni Packer and was encouraged by her to share the work of meditative inquiry with others. Les writes about himself and his approach to retreats: How do you invite someone to drop what they’re doing, put aside their day to day responsibilities, activities, favorite haunts and friends, arrange with family and colleagues to get along…
Find out more »August 2019
August All Day Sitting
All are welcome to attend this All Day Sitting, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 4:00 p.m. The day includes timed and un-timed sittings, a talk, vegetarian lunch, afternoon dialogue group, and refreshments/social time from 3:30 to 4:00. If you would like to attend, please contact us. A donation is requested for the day and lunch. It is helpful if participants arrive by 8:15 a.m. to sign in and choose a seat. If you would like to stay overnight…
Find out more »Potluck Picnic & Talent Show
Springwater Center is hosting an event just for fun and we want you to come! Join us for a day of fun, food, laughter, music and friendship at Springwater Center. Bring the whole family! Bring your favorite vegetarian/vegan dish to pass as well as outdoor seating…Help us add to the fun by sharing your talent: bring your instruments, juggling sticks, dancing feet or whatever you’ve got. RSVP by August 3: Springwater Center, 7179 Mill St. Ext., Springwater, NY 14560. (585)…
Find out more »Seven-Day Retreat with Bob Dattola
Bob Dattola will give talks and be available for private meetings and the daily afternoon group dialogue in this summer retreat. Bob has been taking part in the Center’s work since its inception. Important questions for him over the years have been “What is Truth or Reality?” and “Where can Truth be found?” In addition to pursuing his career at Xerox and Cornell University, Bob has served as a trustee for many years and in recent years has been leading…
Find out more »Quiet Weeks
Quiet Weeks offer an opportunity to create a personalized retreat while the Center enters into a modification of its day-to-day working life. There are many possibilities to connect with the Springwater teachers in both group and private settings. An extended retreat may be created by combining these Quiet Weeks with attendance at the adjacent retreats. To register to attend all or part of the Quiet Weeks, please contact us.
Find out more »Seven-Day Retreat with Sandra Gonzalez and Susan Schepp
Sandra and Susan have been engaged in meditation and meditative work at the Center for many years. They’ll both give talks and take part in the afternoon group dialogues, as well as being available for group and private meetings. Sandra Gonzalez has led retreats in both English and Spanish for several years. She began working with Toni in 1988. Previously, she studied at other meditation centers. Sandra was born and raised in Nicaragua. She leads or participates in retreats in…
Find out more »September 2019
Quiet Weeks
Quiet Weeks offer an opportunity to create a personalized retreat while the Center enters into a modification of its day-to-day working life. There are many possibilities to connect with the Springwater teachers in both group and private settings. An extended retreat may be created by combining these Quiet Weeks with attendance at the adjacent retreats. To register to attend all or part of the Quiet Weeks, please contact us.
Find out more »Seven-Day Retreat with Richard Witteman
Richard Witteman will give talks and private meetings and will take part in the daily group dialogue. In the silence of retreat, space is here to pause, to slow down. Space to see and feel and listen, to question and wonder…to be intimately in silence, in the heart of whatever we are, whatever is here. Sunlight and shadow…trees and rustling leaves…sensations, thoughts, and feelings. There is room to ease up around judging, evaluating, and improving ourselves, trying to be someone…
Find out more »Center Closed
The Center will close during this period so that staff can take a break after a busy summer. We’ll be open again Tuesday, October 8 and welcoming guests and visitors.
Find out more »October 2019
Four-Day Retreat with Stew Glick
Stew Glick began working with Roshi Phillip Kapleau at the Rochester Zen Center around 1971. He later began working closely with Toni Packer and came on the Zen Center staff in 1979. Stew played an instrumental role in the land search and initial construction for what would become Springwater Center. He spent over twenty years on staff as assistant administrator. He was one of several people whom Toni invited to continue the teaching work of the Center, and has led…
Find out more »November 2019
November All Day Sitting
All are welcome to attend this All Day Sitting, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 4:00 p.m. The day includes timed and un-timed sittings, a talk, vegetarian lunch, afternoon dialogue group, and refreshments/social time from 3:30 to 4:00. If you would like to attend, please contact us. A donation is requested for the day and lunch. It is helpful if participants arrive by 8:15 a.m. to sign in and choose a seat. If you would like to stay overnight…
Find out more »Seven-Day Retreat with Sandra Gonzalez
Sandra will give talks and meet with participants privately and in the afternoon dialogue group in this autumn retreat. Sandra Gonzalez began working with Toni Packer in 1988. Previously, she studied at other meditation centers. in 2003 Toni asked her to be one of the people to help carry on the meditative work of the Center. Sandra spends part of the year in Springwater. She also leads or participates in several retreats away from Springwater each year. Born and raised…
Find out more »Quiet Weeks
Quiet Weeks offer an opportunity to create a personalized retreat while the Center enters into a modification of its day-to-day working life. There are many possibilities to connect with the Springwater teachers in both group and private settings. An extended retreat may be created by combining these Quiet Weeks with attendance at the adjacent retreats. To register to attend all or part of the Quiet Weeks, please contact us.
Find out more »December 2019
December All-Day Sitting
All are welcome to attend this All Day Sitting, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 4:00 p.m. The day includes timed and un-timed sittings, a talk, vegetarian lunch, afternoon dialogue group, and refreshments/social time from 3:30 to 4:00. If you would like to attend, please contact us. A donation is requested for the day and lunch. It is helpful if participants arrive by 8:15 a.m. to sign in and choose a seat. If you would like to stay overnight…
Find out more »Winter Break – Center Closed
The Center will close at the end of the day on Saturday, December 14, and reopen Thursday, December 26. Staff will be taking a break during this holiday period, and then will be preparing for the New-Year’s retreat beginning December 29.
Find out more »Four-Day New Year’s Retreat with Wayne Coger
Wayne Coger has led retreats since 2001. He worked with Toni Packer for more than 30 years, and has been a staff member of the Center since 1983, currently serving as administrator. Previously, he studied at the Rochester Zen Center. Toni Packer asked me if I would share the work that we do with others. While I have never had any desire to become a ‘teacher,’ exploring the work of meditative inquiry has been my deepest joy and passion for…
Find out more »