Gratitude Sesshin: A Six Day Online Meditation Retreat

Date: November 16 - 22, 2020

Time: Monday 5pm to Sunday 1pm

Location: Online

Price: $50 - $350
Email us about program

Gratitude Sesshin: A Six Day Online Meditation Retreat

November 16 - 22, 2020

Monday 5pm to Sunday 1pm

This sesshin is founded on the transformative power of gratitude.  We can develop gratitude as we reflect on the people, events, and things of our lives.  But by using meditation we can also direct awareness to the continual support that each moment brings, the force of the universe that gives us life breath by breath.  When we become aware of that continual offering of life that comes towards each of us, then the heart opens and we respond with continual gratitude

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!

In the spirit of gratitude and generosity participants have the option to donate food to the monastics for this retreat. This is enacting an ancient relationship of alms round. The monastics will be participating full time in the retreat at Great Vow – practicing with the intention that all beings awaken – an intention of offering. You are invited to complete the circle of offering with your own aspiration and practice, and if you would like a food offering. The food that is donated will be used specifically for this sesshin. Please consider donating fruits, vegetables, rice, beans, grains (millet, quinoa, oats, etc.), coffee, tea, chocolate, nuts, peanut butter. You can drop off food donations at Great Vow or Heart of Wisdom. Please contact us to arrange a time (registrar@zendust.org)

This retreat will take place through the zoom app. You will receive a link to the retreat a few days prior to the start of sesshin.

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 Schedule

Monday Night

7:30 Orientation
8:30 Zazen/Opening Talk

Tuesday – Saturday

4:20 Wake Up

5:00 Zazen 

6:50 Chanting Service

7:30  Oryoki Breakfast

11:00 Zazen

12:20  Chanting Service

12:30 Lunch

3:00 Movement

3:30 Teisho (Dharma Talk)

4:30 Group Sanzen 

5:20 Chanting Service

5:30 Dinner

7:00 Zazen

9:20 Formal Tea/Closing Chant/Zazen

10:00 Closing Rounds

Sunday Morning

6:00 Zazen/Closing Remarks

7:00 Closing Circle

10:00 Sunday Program Chanting Service/Zazen

11:30 Dharma Talk

 

Leaders:
Kodo Conover
Larry Fuho Trussell