Preparing for Sesshin

Links to information below

•  What to Bring
•  Sesshin Orientation & Welcome
•  Sample Daily Schedule

PZI sesshin are held in different locations. If you register for sesshin you'll be informed of logistical information that is specific to the sesshin you'll be attending.

PZI sesshin begin on the evening of the first scheduled day. Please plan to arrive early enough to get yourself settled into your sleeping area and set up in the meditation hall by 7:15pm. The evening program will begin at 7:30pm.

Dinner will not usually be provided on the first night, so you'll want to give yourself time to eat. When you register you'll be informed as to whether you should bring food or food will be available locally, depending on the venue.

The food at sesshin is vegetarian. If you have dietary restrictions, please let the PZI Registrar know.

If you'd like to arrive early to help set up, that is always appreciated.

Your participation in this final part of the retreat is important and deeply appreciated. Please plan to stay until mid-afternoon of the final day of the retreat. Our last meal together is lunch on the final day.

Once you arrive at sesshin, there will be practice leaders there to assist you and to let you know whatever you need to know when you need to know it.

WHAT TO BRING TO SESSHIN   Download 'What to Bring to Sesshin' (PDF)

zafu and zabuton: If you have your own sitting cushions and it's not too difficult for you to bring them, we ask that you do bring your own. If you don't have your own cushions or are travelling by plane and can't bring them, don't worry - there will be cushions and chairs provided for those who need them.

bedding: sleeping bag or sheets and pillowcase (pillows and blankets are provided). If you need us to provide your linen please let the registrar know. This can be arranged for $10/week for retreats at Angela Center.

toiletries: including bath towel and washcloth (consider earplugs for sleeping)

outdoor clothing and raingear, including walking shoes: You will be walking outside, sometimes on forest paths, so sturdy shoes are a good idea. It's not as likely to rain in summer as in other seasons, but you never know.

comfortable, loose fitting clothing, layers, warm things: things you can layer are a very good idea. The temperature is unpredictable and can fluctuate quite a bit. It can be warm at times, and it can be cold sometimes during all seasons (particularly in the early morning and evenings and at night). Also, in the Meditation Hall we have a room full of people with different temperature preferences - the room may not match yours, so layered clothing helps you to be comfortable.

slip on shoes: these are convenient for going in and out of the hall.

flashlight: for walking outside when its dark and in case of power outage.

teacup/mug: we'll drink tea together in the meditation hall. You can use your own teacup if you'd like to bring one, but it isn’t necessary

journal/pen: you may want to write down things you notice

curiosity: don't assume you know what will happen at sesshin, or that it should go a certain way. let yourself be surprised.

bathing suit: in the summertime sometimes we are somewhere with a pool, and if so you may want to bring your swimsuit and an extra towel!

return to top

SESSHIN ORIENTATION and WELCOME   Download this Orientation and Welcome to Sesshin (PDF)

What is Buddha?
The heart of the one who asks is Buddha

Sesshin is a special environment built to help you discover your own enlightenment. In your daily life, the light of your attention normally goes out from you into the world; during sesshin you turn the light back inward into your own heart and mind.

The practice leaders of the sesshin will let you know when things are happening and what to do. The leaders are experienced meditation practitioners who are taking this task on as a service. If you have any questions feel free to speak with one of them—they will be introduced on opening night.

The Daily Schedule is posted in the lobby of the Main Building and in each sleeping area. A list of work practice assignments is also posted in the Main Building—please check it to see what your work practice assignment is. It is helpful to everyone when you show up in the Meditation Hall and at your work practice assignment at the appropriate times. We have a high regard for work practice. The idea is that work in a meditation retreat serves as a bridge for the moment you return to your regular life outside of sesshin. It helps you to carry the light of your understanding into everything you do. Meditation goes on everywhere and is not limited to when you are sitting on a cushion. Every place in sesshin is the place for enlightenment.

Here are a few protocols we practice at sesshin that help us make a container for practice:

Silence:
Silence is the darkness from which freedom is born. In the Meditation Hall, keep the silence unless chanting or a dharma talk is going on. Outside the hall, if you have to speak, do it quietly and away from other people. If you have an impulse to interact with someone, stop first and then consider whether it is necessary. One of the things that we do in sesshin is to learn that we don’t have to respond to situations in our usual fashion.

In the Meditation Hall:
When you enter the Meditation Hall, bow into the room from the entryway and go to your seat. Then bow to your cushion, turn and bow into the room, and sit down. A bow can indicate many things—respect, gratitude, or recognition of our interconnectedness with each other.

Before meals and at the end of the day, the leaders will use bells to lead everyone through the ritual for leaving the room or beginning the meal. If in doubt, just follow along.

When you leave the Meditation Hall it is not necessary to bow at the door. When you leave, just leave.

During meditation we’ll be sitting for periods that last about 25 minutes, with 5 to 7 minute walking meditation in between.

In your sleeping quarters:
Each morning there will be someone who rings the wake up bell in the hallway of your sleeping quarters twenty-five minutes before the meditation period begins. For all other periods, the large densho bell outside the meditation hall will be rung to call you back into the hall from your break or work practice assignment.

Early morning greeting:
Each morning the teacher will enter the Meditation Hall and silently greet the room. As the teacher passes in front of you, the custom is to return the greeting by raising your hands palms together.

Teacher interviews:
Each day the teachers will conduct brief private interviews and you will have a regular opportunity to meet with a teacher if you wish. The teachers’ liaisons will indicate when this will be happening and the spirit in which we engage with the teachers.

Meditation Instruction:
If you would like individual guidance, please let the Head of Practice know.

Conclusion:
The purpose of the orientation instructions is to introduce you to some basics of sesshin, they are not meant to add things to your meditation. These protocols are part of the way we support each other in retreat. They are meant to help us interact in a way that encourages each person to focus on her own practice and discoveries. If you think you don’t know what to do, just attend to that moment and don’t worry about doing it just right. In sesshin you have a chance to experience things from a fresh perspective, to be at ease in an unfamiliar environment, without either making what is happening wrong or blaming yourself for not knowing. If you can be comfortable not knowing, you can learn anything. Welcome to retreat, it is a great joy to do this together.

return to top