Gratitude Sesshin: A Six Day Meditation Retreat
November 15 - 21, 2021
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.
All participants must be fully vaccinated AND receive a negative Covid test (molecular test, not antigen) within three days of your arrival. Details on what is required can be found here.
Sesshin is a rigorous and, at times, challenging meditation retreat that is not recommended for beginners. If you plan on attending in person, we require that you attend one of our silent weekend retreats or a five-seven day silent meditation retreat (with approximately 8 hours of seated meditation a day) at another Zen Center before registering for our longer zen retreats.
You can also participate in this retreat through Zoom. You will receive a link to the retreat before the retreat begins.
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!
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
5:30 Zazen
6:50 Chanting Service
7:30 Breakfast
9:00 Work Practice
11:30 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
6:00 Zazen/Closing Remarks
7:00 Closing Circle
10:00 Sunday Program Chanting Service/Zazen
11:30 Dharma Talk
Larry Fuho Trussell | |
Kodo Conover |