Membership
Your First Six Months with Windhorse
Your first six months participating at Windhorse is considered an initial “trial membership”—a trial in the sense that you can feel out the place, the practice, the teachers, the community, and most importantly, to see if you have an affinity with our style of dharma work. During this time, you can attend dokusan with the teachers and participate as fully as you wish during weekly programs. Although no formal financial commitment is required, it is nonetheless appreciated and appropriate to offer regularly some kind of donation.
Becoming a Formal Member
After the six-month trial period, we ask people to make the decision whether to apply to become a formal member of Windhorse. Membership involves a financial pledge of an amount you feel is appropriate. All donations are used to support programs at Windhorse, in addition to bills like mortgage, electricity, etc. Without any large endowment, such support is obviously essential for the center to continue.
There are other ways to contribute to Windhorse. Those who wish to become members and are without financial resources may inquire about a work exchange by contacting the center. What is vital in all this is the spirit of a person’s engagement and support, not only for the time in the zendo, but also for the well-being of the sangha as a whole.
Formal Membership: Dokusan and Sesshin
Dokusan is offered to members, and to newer people during the first six months of practicing at Windhorse. Those who have decided not to become members will still be welcome to participate in online and in-person sittings. During retreats, doksuan is available to all participants regardless of membership status. Members have first priority for sesshin acceptance and also pay a reduced cost for sesshin.