Zen Sesshin: A Plunge Into the Heart of Life
A Zen sesshin is a silent meditation retreat in which the traditional structure supports our plunge into the present moment and favors a direct experience of our essential nature and the oneness of life.
The sesshin is the traditional heart of Zen practice, a 3- or 7-day retreat focusing primarily on intensive meditation. Retreating from our busy daily lives, in sesshin we seek to settle our minds and realize who we, and others, truly are.
In sesshin, we emphasize the collective, doing everything together – meditating, walking, eating, cooking, cleaning, sleeping, waking up. We just do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done. Everyone and everything is important. Everything is us. We are everything.
No previous experience of Zen practice or meditation is required to participate in this retreat.
DAILY SCHEDULE
The schedule is organized around collective meditation sessions: two-hour blocks of three 40- or 30-minute sitting meditation periods and two 10-minute walking meditation periods. There is also a collective work period, a period when the teacher gives a dharma talk (teaching), and a rest period. Meals are vegetarian and are eaten collectively in a formal practice called oryoki, a Japanese word that means “the right amount.” All participants will also have the opportunity to meet individually with Roshi Amy.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Arrival day (February 25, Saturday): Orientation talk at 8 pm. You’re invited to come from 4 pm in order to register and settle in your room. Dinner is served at 6.45 pm.
On the day of arrival, after an informal dinner, Roshi Amy will give an introductory talk. Meditation, oryoki and other instructions will be offered for those who need them.
End of programme (March 3, Friday): End of the retreat in the evening.
Departure day (March 4, Saturday): You may leave anytime (no programme). You’re welcome to stay for lunch.
