Echoes of a Crossing
Slavery and Freedom" retreat and our journey in Brazil
Monk Koho and Nun Daien | April and May, 2025
Dear community,
Between the months of April and May 2025, we were in Brazil on a deeply meaningful journey, which unfolded in meetings, lectures, workshops and, as a culmination, the second edition of the retreat "Slavery and Freedom in Brazil", promoted by the Zen Peacemakers Brazil Circle.
They were intense days of service, listening, sharing and presence. Days that confirmed how cultivating a life based on conscience, compassion and community practice is not only possible - it's urgent.
With joy and gratitude, we now share an account of the main moments of this season in Brazil. May this logbook inspire, resonate and, perhaps, plant seeds on your own path.
Journeys through Brazil.
Meetings before the Retreat | A season of dialogue and practice
During the days leading up to the retreat, we were dedicated to a series of events, talks and workshops, bringing reflections on the culture of peace, practices of full presence, community care and service to life.
CEBB Salvador (BA)
05 and 06 April
05/04: "Meditate and be, the path to full presence". Sharing basic principles of Zen Buddhism.
06/04: Open meeting: "A Zen day: the practice of Buddhism in everyday life".
Salvador (BA) - UFBA
08 and 11 April
08/04: Participation in the Research Group of the Institute of Collective Health (ISC).
11/04: Lecture at the ISC: "Daily life at university and its challenges". Workshop: "Balance and well-being in academic life". Participation in the Titling of Professors of Notorious Expertise.
CEBB Recôncavo (BA)
12th and 13th April
Retreat: "Cutting the Third Jewel: a Zen vision of life in community and in the Sangha".
CEBB Caminho do Meio (RS)
17th April
Meeting "Buddhism and Society", at the invitation of Lama Samten. Theme: "Lucidity in the age of migration, digitalisation and the climate crisis".
Porto Alegre (RS)
20th and 24th April
20/04: Baby Maitê's "Blessing of Wisdom" ceremony.
24/04: Zen Buddhist Association of RS - Meeting and talk: "The Six Elements in Contemporary Zen Practice".
São Paulo (SP)
26th and 27th April
26/04: Visit to Coen Roshi (Taikozan Tenzuizenji Temple) and participation in a ceremony at Terreiro de Umbanda Caminho da Luz.
27/04: Visit to Enjo Sensei (Taikanji Temple, Pedra Bela).
From 29 April to 4 May - The Slavery and Freedom Retreat in Brazil
Salvador and Recôncavo Baiano
Over the course of five days, we immersed ourselves in the historical and current reality of Afro-Brazilian culture. We visited memories of the tragic period of slavery and learnt about community solutions that inspire and nurture the certainty that there is a more peaceful and just path.https://zpbr.org/relato-retiro-2025
Every day was guided by the Three Principles of Zen Peacemakers:
- Not Knowing - letting go of fixed ideas and judgements.
- Full Presence - being whole, in the encounter with the beauties and pains of the world.
- Action that emerges - letting care and service emerge from silence and listening.
Other dates in Salvador (BA)
Workshop at UFBA
08 May
Facilitation for students and teachers on the theme: "Balance and well-being in academic life: strategies for a healthy university journey".
Caring for those who care" programme
10th May
An event for teachers, organised by volunteers from CEBB Salvador and Feira de Santana.
And what do we take away from all this?
We take away the confirmation that this is not a path to understand, but to feel. To look, listen and let ourselves be transformed.
The Retreat is not just about looking at suffering. It's also about finding in it the strength of life, culture, resistance and beauty that flourish even in the most adverse conditions.
We continue to network, we continue to practice, we continue to serve.
With affection,
Jorge Koho Mello
Central themes of the day
Meditation and Full Presence
Exploration of meditation practice for self-knowledge and serenity.
Zen in the Contemporary Context
Application of Zen teachings to the challenges of modern and community life.
Health and Well-being
Cultivating integral health and awareness, especially in the academic environment.
Social and Community Engagement
Reflections on social justice, history and conscious action in society.
Interreligious and Cultural Dialogue
Connection and respect between different spiritual and cultural traditions.
Voluntary Simplicity
Discussions about a simpler and more spiritually engaged way of life.
More moments from the day
English (UK) 
Português do Brasil