Summer Sesshin
Main zendo 1856 S. Columbine Street, Denver, CO, United StatesSix days of intensive Zen practice, led by Peggy Metta Sheehan and Karin Ryuku Kempe including zazen, dokusan, teisho, chanting, […]
In Japanese, the word sesshin means “to touch the heart-mind.” Unique to Zen, sesshin offers participants a singular opportunity to deepen their meditation practice and clarify their natural awareness.
During sesshin, we devote ourselves entirely to the practice of zazen, along with supportive practices including teisho (Dharma talks), kinhin (walking meditation), chanting, dokusan (individual meetings with a teacher), oryoki (meals eaten in the traditional Zen style), and movement practice.
Participants have the option to sleep overnight at the temple or to sleep at home; most of our sesshin are also offered in a hybrid format, with the option to participate at home via Zoom. Previous attendance at an introductory seminar and at least two zazenkai (all-day sittings), or previous sesshin attendance at another Zen center, are required before attending sesshin. If you are interested in attending sesshin and are not a ZCD member, or if you are a member but have never attended sesshin, please contact the office for an application.
Generally speaking, the first day of sesshin will begin in mid- to late afternoon, while the final day will end before noon. The general schedule for the full days is below; note that the details may vary from sesshin to sesshin depending on the format, location and guidance of the teachers. Rounds of zazen are usually 25-30 minutes long, with 5 minutes of kinhin between each round, and occasional extended kinhin (i.e. a longer walking period).
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 (approx.) Closing ceremony
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