Sesshin is the essence of Zen practice. It is a period of intensive meditation (zazen) that offers an opportunity for practitioners to focus their attention on the practice of meditation, free of distraction.
Sesshins may range from one day to seven days. A typical day of sesshin starts at 5:00 am and includes about a dozen 35-minute periods of zazen with ten-minute periods of walking meditation (kinhin) between zazen periods, interspersed with ritual services, dharma talks, private interviews with a teacher, rest periods, a work period, and three vegetarian meals. Meals are taken in a formal meditation ritual of oryoki. Silence is observed throughout sesshin so that practitioners may concentrate on their own experience.
Upcoming Retreat:
River of Joy Retreat with Rev. Koji Acquaviva
Saturday, April 13