Ciska Matthews
In search of something of essential meaning, I discovered zen in the 90s and was immediately captivated. Eventually I ended up in a Zen monastery in Japan, where I stayed for six years. Back in the Netherlands I became fascinated by vipassana and visited many long retreats. My acquaintance with advaita teacher Mooji in 2016 has helped me enormously, all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, so to speak. I have been a passionate mindfulness trainer since 2011 and guide small meditation groups in Amsterdam. I also teach hatha and yin yoga. All these different traditions ultimately point to the same truth, in different words and with different methods. All very valuable.
In June 2023 my book was published: 'Memories of Harada Tangen roshi - my years in a Japanese Zen monastery'. Readers call it comforting, inspiring and moving; I am very happy and grateful for that.
Updates
Translation of “Memories of Harada Tangen Roshi” has been released!
The translation is called 'Buddha Sees Everything - Six Years under the Guidance of Japanese Zen Master Harada Tangen' and is available via lulu.com. Very nicely done, with just a few more photos than the Dutch book. And now also ...
Sangha Live scheduled for 10-08-2025: Obon Ceremony for the Sangha – the Japanese/Buddhist All Souls Day
Sangha Live: Obon Ceremony for the Sangha - the Japanese/Buddhist All Souls' Day. In Japan, the deceased are remembered every year in July/August: the family grave is taken care of and a ceremony is held to honor the ancestors. This festival is called Obon and is based on ...
Live Meditation scheduled for 16/06/2025: Sitting as Kanzeon
Live Meditation: Sitting as Kanzeon. Sitting as the bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteshvara or (Japanese) Kanzeon. This bodhisattva lives in all of us, it is our true nature. The Zoom participation link, other information and tips for participation can be found on the 30NOW ...
Live Meditation scheduled for 07-08-2025: Let Yourself Dissolve
Live Meditation: Let yourself dissolve. Leave the body and the thoughts for what we are, don't bother with them. Just be here, without being anyone. Let yourself dissolve and what remains is space, silence, peace. The ...
Live Meditation scheduled for 03-07-2025: Who am I?
Live Meditation: Who am I?. Sitting with the question: who am I? Not by thinking about it, but we look directly inside... and see what we discover. There is actually only silence, pure presence, silent awareness...
My offer
Mindful Eating – Workshop
September 20, 2024 15.00:17.00 PM - XNUMX:XNUMX PM We sometimes eat too much - or too little - or too ...
Closed for registrations
Memories of Harada Tongs roshi
Publisher: Asoka Autobiographical Report; impression of life in a Japanese Zen monastery, an old Zen master and the Zen tradition. Supplemented with ...
#21 Ciska Matthews
Ciska Matthes lived from 1999 to 2005 in a Japanese Zen monastery. In this episode she speaks with Joost van den ...
Check out my upcoming “offline meetings”
You can view my upcoming offline retreats, meditation days and courses on the 'On Location' page ...
