October Sesshin ~ The Ancient Way to Sanity in an Insane World: 10-day Online Retreat

Date: October 15 - 25, 2020

Time: Thursday, October 15 at 5pm to Sunday October 25 at 1pm

Location: Online

Price: $75.00 to $300.00
Email us about program

October Sesshin ~ The Ancient Way to Sanity in an Insane World: 10-day Online Retreat

October 15 - 25, 2020

Thursday, October 15 at 5pm to Sunday October 25 at 1pm

Human society has always been filled with the potential for chaos. Most times we can retreat into nature to restore ourselves with peace and calm. But where can we retreat when nature herself is on fire? The Ancient Way to peace is always available but is not always easy to walk. Come join us to practice and walk the Ancient Way of Sanity. Part time attendance is fine.
Meditation takes time, and deep meditation, which leads to insight, takes more time. This 10-day intensive retreat offers the opportunity to discover places of deep stillness and wonder.

It is our intention to offer the supportive structure to allow you to do a week long meditation retreat at home. You can participate to whatever degree your life allows. Consider the possibility to design your own retreat. Do a work/family sesshin. Take one day this week and make it a retreat day!

This retreat will take place through the zoom app. You will receive a link to the retreat once you register.

Doing a retreat at home can be empowering, take up the practice in your own home and know the peace and clarity of mind in your own dwelling place! To support doing home retreat we recommend doing the following:

1. Reflect on your intention
2. Create a sacred space with a simple altar and meditation supports in a clean room that allows for calm/peace of mind
3. Commit to a schedule, we have a schedule posted below. We ask that you commit to at least 4 hours of meditation a day. Part-time attendance is welcome. Join for a day, the weekend or the whole week. Please let us know the dates you plan to attend.
4. Give up or reduce media, phone and extra computer use for the duration of the retreat
5. Keep the practice going during the “breaks” by engaging with Mindful Eating during meals and choosing simple work (gardening, cleaning, etc.), body practice/exercise (walking, yoga, qi gong) or creative projects that support your meditation practice/intention.
6. Consider being in silence for the whole retreat or practicing silence for specific periods during the day.
7. If you live with others, communicate with them what your intention is for this week of practice and ask them to support you

Approximate Daily  Schedule

Thursday Night

7:30 Introductions/Zazen/Opening Talk

9:20 Closing Chant

Friday 10/16 – Saturday 10/24

4:30 Zazen
6:20 Chanting Service
7:00 Breakfast

8:30 Work Practice

11:00 Zazen
12:50 Chanting Service
1:00 Lunch

3:00 Movement
3:30 Teisho (Dharma Talk)
4:30 Zazen
5:20 Chanting Service

5:30 Dinner

7:00 Zazen
9:30 Formal Tea/Closing Chant/Zazen

Sunday Morning 10/25

6:00 Zazen/Closing Remarks

7:00 Closing Circle

10:00 Sunday Program Chanting Service/Zazen

11:30 Dharma Talk

 

Leaders:
Hogen Bays, Roshi
Patrick Bansho Green