Not Two: Encounter

Facilitators: Peg Syverson & Joel Barna with Flint Sparks

Sunday, April 26 - Saturday, May 2nd, 2026

This intensive explores what it means to practice encounter — not as a concept, but as a lived experience. The Zen tradition has always known that awakening happens most often not in solitude, but in the moment of genuine meeting: in the kitchen, on the road, in a brief exchange that opens something that had been closed. Zazen prepares us for that meeting. This intensive puts both practices together.

What We'll Explore 

• What actually happens inside you the moment another person comes into view?

• What does it mean to listen without preparing a response, offering advice, or performing understanding?

• Where do you maintain distance, even in a community you trust — and what does that distance protect?

• Can you tell the difference between being present with someone and performing presence?

• Who is the self that shows up in relationship, and is it the only one available to you?

What We'll Do 

Extended periods of zazen, dharma talks and dicsussion, dharma activities, practice discussion with a teacher, and group inquiry. No prior experience with these practices is required. Flint will offer an online dharma talk as part of the intensive. 

Peg, Flint, and Joel warmly invite you to join us!

Register here:

https://syverson.wufoo.com/forms/q1jefr0x16edgzd/

• Information

  • All sessions will be hybrid — in person at the Appamada zendo (913 East 38th St., Austin, TX) and online via Zoom. 

  • Please indicate on the response portion of this form whether you are applying for onsite, online, or some combination. Be sure to specify which times you would like to participate onsite, as we have a limited number of places in the Appamada zendo..

• Schedule (All times CDT):

  • Sunday, April 26: 6:30-9 pm, 

  • Monday-Friday, April 27- May 1 6:30-7:45 am, and 7-9 pm. 

  • Saturday, May 2: 6:30 am-5 pm. 

• Following the morning program (Monday-Thursday) there will be an optional walk in the neighborhood at 8:30 AM for those who can join us. 

• Important! If you are attending in person, please bring a sack lunch on Saturday.

• Deadline for registration: Sunday April 19th.

• As with all intensives, we ask you to participate wholeheartedly—by being present, coming from your heart, and showing curiosity and care—and that you follow the schedule completely. For each session and after each break, please find your seat at least 5 minutes before the session starts.