Sesshin

What is sesshin?
Sesshin is a period of intensive Zen practice, providing a protected time freed from daily distractions to practice stillness of mind and body together in community. This allows our innate compassion, wisdom and insight to emerge and transform the experience of our lives. The practice and structure of sesshin includes maintaining silence (refraining from phones, media or reading), with most of the day devoted to zazen (seated meditation), daily individual meetings with and talks by teachers along with work practice (samu), chanting, and movement practice. Our meals are eaten together in silence, oryoki style.

Potential challenges of sesshin
Because sesshin is an immersive experience, it can be challenging for some individuals. The sesshin structure involves reduced sleep, the physical discomfort of prolonged sitting, and the impact of decreased social engagement, and this may be difficult and even harmful for some individuals. This can be particularly true if you have had psychological issues, current physical or emotional stress or a past experience of trauma. For this reason, we encourage sesshin participants to meet frequently with their teachers, to get adequate rest and to participate in the group schedule including meals and exercise. Before applying, please consider carefully if this is a good time for you to attend sesshin and consider meeting with a teacher to talk over any questions or concerns.

Registration
Sesshin cost is variable depending upon the number of days and the venue. Please use a link below to get specifics for each sesshin and to register. Participants may choose one of three options: in-person and stay overnight, in-person and sleep at home, or online via Zoom; the cost is the same for all three options. Please note that payment is required for registration. More information, including the sesshin schedule and what to bring, will be sent when you register. In-person attendance is capped at 22.

If you are not a ZCD member, or if this is your first sesshin with ZCD, please contact the office for a sesshin application and you will be contacted for a brief screening interview. Acceptance to sesshin for all participants, regardless of membership status, is at the discretion of the senior teachers.

Scholarships
For those in financial need, partial scholarships are available. Please contact the office to apply. For those with financial means, we ask that you donate an amount of your choosing to the Mary Mitch Sesshin Scholarship Fund to enable all who desire to participate in sesshin. Details provided upon registration.

Our Covid Policy
Test for Covid-19 prior to arriving at the center on the day sesshin begins. A negative test result is required for check in. If you do test positive, or if you have a cold, cough or other symptoms (Covid or not), please notify the office to change to online attendance. If you have not been boosted, have high risk personally or at home, please consider attending online, as no group living situation can be guaranteed to be risk free. Wearing masks is optional.

Sesshin Setup
Sesshin participants will attend a setup and orientation session the Thursday evening prior to sesshin starting at 6:30 pm. 

Schedule
Plan to arrive in the afternoon first day. The sesshin will conclude by noon on the last day. The specific times will vary slightly. Please use a link below to get specific arrival and departure times for each sesshin. Most sesshin days will follow this general schedule:

4:50 a.m.       Wake up


5:15                Opening ceremony, encouragement talk, zazen and kinhin


4:50 a.m.       Wake up


5:15                Opening ceremony, encouragement talk, zazen and kinhin


7:00                Oryoki breakfast and work/rest period

9:00                Chanting service

9:30                Zazen, kinhin and dokusan


12:00 p.m.     Oryoki lunch and rest period

2:00                Zazen and kinhin


2:30                Teisho


3:00                Zazen, kinhin and dokusan


4:30                Movement practice

5:00                Recitation

5:15                Informal supper and rest period

6:45                Zazen, kinhin and dokusan


8:30                Closing ceremony

4:50 a.m.       Wake up


5:15                Opening ceremony, encouragement talk, zazen and kinhin


7:00                Oryoki breakfast and work/rest period

9:00                Chanting service

9:30                Zazen, kinhin and dokusan


12:00 p.m.     Oryoki lunch and rest period

2:00                Zazen and kinhin


2:30                Teisho


3:00                Zazen, kinhin and dokusan


4:30                Movement practice

5:00                Recitation

5:15                Informal supper and rest period

6:45                Zazen, kinhin and dokusan


8:30                Closing ceremony

4:50 a.m.       Wake up


5:15                Opening ceremony, encouragement talk, zazen and kinhin


7:00                Oryoki breakfast and work/rest period

9:00                Chanting service

9:30                Zazen, kinhin and dokusan


12:00 p.m.     Oryoki lunch and rest period

2:00                Zazen and kinhin


2:30                Teisho


3:00                Zazen, kinhin and dokusan


4:30                Movement practice

5:00                Recitation

5:15                Informal supper and rest period

6:45                Zazen, kinhin and dokusan


8:30                Closing ceremony

4:50 a.m.       Wake up


5:15                Opening ceremony, encouragement talk, zazen and kinhin


7:00                Oryoki breakfast and work/rest period

9:00                Chanting service

9:30                Zazen, kinhin and dokusan


12:00 p.m.     Oryoki lunch and rest period

2:00                Zazen and kinhin


2:30                Teisho


3:00                Zazen, kinhin and dokusan


4:30                Movement practice

5:00                Recitation

5:15                Informal supper and rest period

6:45                Zazen, kinhin and dokusan


8:30                Closing ceremony

4:50 a.m.       Wake up


5:15                Opening ceremony, encouragement talk, zazen and kinhin


7:00                Oryoki breakfast and work/rest period

9:00                Chanting service

9:30                Zazen, kinhin and dokusan


12:00 p.m.     Oryoki lunch and rest period

2:00                Zazen and kinhin


2:30                Teisho


3:00                Zazen, kinhin and dokusan


4:30                Movement practice

5:00                Recitation

5:15                Informal supper and rest period

6:45                Zazen, kinhin and dokusan


8:30                Closing ceremony

4:50 a.m.       Wake up


5:15                Opening ceremony, encouragement talk, zazen and kinhin


7:00                Oryoki breakfast and work/rest period

9:00                Chanting service

9:30                Zazen, kinhin and dokusan


12:00 p.m.     Oryoki lunch and rest period

2:00                Zazen and kinhin


2:30                Teisho


3:00                Zazen, kinhin and dokusan


4:30                Movement practice

5:00                Recitation

5:15                Informal supper and rest period

6:45                Zazen, kinhin and dokusan


8:30                Closing ceremony