Great Tree Zen Temple, located in Alexander, NC, 20 minutes north of downtown Asheville, was established in 2001.

It’s founder Rev. Teijo Munnich is a dharma heir of the late teacher Dainin Katagiri Roshi of Minnesota Zen Center and has strived over the last 9 years to keep the spirit of his practice here in North Carolina. Rev. Munnich’s vision is to provide opportunities for everyone to experience the benefits of Zen meditation. The weekly, monthly and annual events at Great Tree include traditional Soto Zen practices, body awareness techniques and creative or artistic “free play” to develop mindfulness and compassion in our everyday lives.

Throughout the year we feature many special creative workshops for adults, youth, and families. We are fortunate be able to present two writing workshops this year. Carolyn Wallace will lead her new workshop “Your Inner Life Story – A Writing Retreat,” May 9-11, exploring writing as a meditative practice. August 1-3, our good friend from Clarity Works, Peggy Millin returns with “Zen Mind, Writing Mind” a women’s writing circle. In October Norma Bradley and Anna Matheson will teach “Mindfulness and Ikebana,” combining the mindfulness practices of Thich Nhat Hanh with the art of Japanese flower arrangement.

Upcoming in autumn, Rev. Nancy Spence of Anattasati Magga will lead her women’s retreat “Let the World Take Care of Itself.” Rev. Munnich and Alexander Technique instructor Meredith McIntosh will lead the “Beginner’s Mind Sesshin,” applying body awareness techniques to meditation practice.

Family practice is an important part of Great Tree’s Programs. The Family Meditation Group meets on the last Sunday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon for youth meditation, dharma teachings and storytelling, arts and crafts projects and fellowship led by Rev. Munnich. At our annual Mother & Child Retreats and Summer Children’s Retreats parents and their children are given more opportunieies to explore mindfulness meditation together. Registration for the Summer Children’s Retreat held July 21-23, this year is now open.

Sesshins or traditional Zen meditation retreats are held the first week of every month and are open to the public. During these 2-5 day retreats we follow a modified monastic daily schedule that includes several periods of meditation, work practice and a nightly lecture. These retreats are held in silence and include traditional Soto Zen ceremonies each day.

For more information about Great Tree’s programs visit www.greattreetemple.org or call (828) 645-2085. Great Tree is located at 679 Lower Flat Creek Road in Alexander, NC.

Rev. Munnich also gives bi-weekly lectures at Zen Center of Asheville. See their schedule at www.zcasheville.org.