2025 Branching Streams Gathering Program

More details to be provided as we get closer to the Gathering, but the times are not expected to change much.

Day 1, Monday Sept 15

  • 4-6pm Registration at LUREC
  • 6-7 pm Dinner
  • 7:30 – 9pm Opening together

Day 2, Tuesday Sept 16

Feel free to add notes from breakouts to this shared Google Doc

  • 6:45 – 7:30    Zazen and service (zendo attire)
  •   8:00 – 8:45    Breakfast (coffee/tea and snacks available throughout the day)
  •   9:00 – 10:00    Organizing Session (see website for more information about the meeting structure)
  • 10:05 – 11:20   Breakout groups #1  – dynamic open space meeting time
  • 11:30  – 12:30  Breakout groups #2
  • 12:30 – 1:30     Lunch and break
  •   1:30 – 2:30     Speed talks from Sanghas (each sangha will have a chance to give a 3 min or less update describing recent news and events in their community. This is meant to be a quick, fun, informal and informative way for us to hear from each sangha that wants to share)
  •   2:40 –  3:50    Breakout groups # 3
  •   4:10 – 5:10     Breakout groups #4
  •   5:15 – 5:55     Zazen and short service (informal dress)
  •   6:00 – 7:00     Dinner
  •   7:30 – 8:30     Gathering with Jiryu on Becoming Yourself

Day 3, Wednesday, Sept 17

Feel free to add notes from breakouts to this shared Google Doc

  • 6:45 – 7:30    Zazen and Wellbeing/Memorial service (zendo attire)
  •   8:00 – 8:45    Breakfast
  •   9:00 – 9:30    Organizing session 
  •   9:45 – 11:00   Breakout groups #5  – dynamic open space meeting time
  • 11:10  – 12:30  Breakout groups #6
  • 12:30 – 1:30     Lunch and break
  •   1:30 – 2:30     Group walk  on LUREC trails  
  •   2:40 –  3:50    Breakout groups # 7
  •   4:10 – 5:10     Breakout groups #8
  •   5:15 – 5:55     Zazen and short service (informal dress)
  •   6:00 – 7:00     Dinner  
  •   7:30 – 8:30     No Talent Show

Day 4, Thursday, Sept 18

  •  6:45 – 7:30   Zazen and Autumn Equinox ceremony
  •   7:30 – 7:45   Group photo in zendo attire
  •   8:00 – 9:00   Breakfast and packing. Our luggage needs to be out of rooms by 9:00
  •   9:15 – 11:15 Gathering closing activities
  • 11:30 – 12:30  Lunch
  •  Departures and check-out by 2 p.m.
  • Shuttles to O’Hare leave LUREC at 12 and 2:20.