We’re all just walking each other home.
Ram Dass
Just This - A Community of Zen Sanghas
Just This Zen Community is comprised of three sanghas for which Flint Sparks is the guiding teacher: Nothing Special, Nothing Missing, and Nothing Extra, as well as students who are not affiliated with a specific sangha.
When we first met Flint in his role as a Hakomi trainer in 2007 we were drawn to his teaching and his expression of zen practice that focuses on the dual practice of Waking up and Growing up, spiritual waking up and psychological maturing, and on exploring ways to end our unnecessary suffering.
Following our time with Flint during his visits to the UK we started Nothing Special in Sheffield in 2010, Nothing Missing in Lancaster in 2012 and Nothing Extra in Leyland in 2016.
During this time, we have appreciated our warm connection with Appamada in Texas, Flint’s home sangha where, with Peg Syverson, he is a senior teacher. Most recently we have enjoyed our deepening friendship with Open Door Zen Community in Madison, Wisconsin where, like Just This, Flint is the guiding teacher.
As our community has grown, we have offered regular opportunities to practise together as well as residential and non-residential retreats in the UK. Dharma (the Buddha’s teachings and the ‘way things are’) talks and dokusan (meeting with a teacher) are offered by our UK Lay Entrusted Teachers, Josh Gifford and Trudy Johnston. Practice discussion, koan and precepts study, and talks, are also offered by experienced students.