Zen and Christian Spirituality

Last few tickets left – bookings need to be made in advance through Eventbrite;  £25 standard, £15 concessions.

This day will consider what Zen and Christian spirituality have to give each other by exploring Jesus’ parables, Zen koans (stories of encounters between Zen Masters and students), and times of meditation. It is open to anyone, regardless of their religious affiliation or background, but who are – in Zen terms –  wanting to see into our true nature, and thus discover the source of love, compassion and peace.

We are living in a world in which tension, hostility and violence seem to be increasing, and some of this appears to be religiously motivated. Peace is only possible when we truly try to understand one another, and that involves listening and entering into dialogue, however uncomfortable and unsettling that may be at times. Christian conviction is that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God, and so dialogue is both an affirmation of the fundamental dignity of every human being as created in that image and also a looking for that image, even when it appears to be different from what we expect on the surface. As Pope Francis tweeted in September 2016, though: ‘Dialogue is born when I am capable of recognising others as a gift of God and accept they might have something to tell me.’

The Revd Canon Dr Chris Collingwood is Canon Chancellor at York Minster, where he has responsibility for the public programme of the Minster, which includes overseeing all aspects of learning as well as inter-faith matters. In addition to being an experienced spiritual guide in the Christian tradition, Chris is also an authorised Zen teacher in the Wild Goose Zen Sangha, which is part of the international White Plum Asanga.

Tickets must be bought in advance through Eventbrite. The day will be held at Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton.