The following are customs for sesshins (Zen meditation retreats).
Please try to arrive and be settled at your seat at least five minutes before the first period of zazen in the morning as well as throughout the day. The signal for zazen will be two hits on the bell in the common area 10 minutes before zazen begins. At the sound of the bell, please go to the zendo directly. There will be one hit on the bell 5 minutes before zazen at which time we are to already be settled in for zazen.
Maintaining silence throughout the sesshin is a great support for settling mind and body. If you have any questions or concerns during sesshin, you can leave a note for the Ino on the message board in the entryway.
During our brief work periods, you may need to speak quietly to communicate a work related question.
Please maintain a mindful silence during meals.
We encourage you to try and maintain silence after you leave the zendo at the end of the day until you have completed sesshin. You may want to consider asking your family and friends to support you in this. However, please do not hold onto silence if it causes discord with family. Instead maintain awareness while speaking. We also recommend that you maintain internal silence by not reading, watching TV or using the computer during sesshin.
Please do not read or write during sesshin breaks.
When engaged in any kind of activity, we encourage you to move as mindfully as possible as a way of maintaining "zazen" mind.
We are practicing closely together in an intimate space over long periods of time. Please take care of your space by keeping the area around your cushion neat and be mindful of your impact on each other. Bring only the minimum you need to your seat.
You may exit the zendo to use the restrooms or drink water during kinhin, leaving as we stand to begin kinhin.
We will have tea available during the breaks. Please do not use kinhin as a time for a tea break.
Please do not wear jewelry or watches in the zendo.
Sesshin is a time to work with our preferences and meals are an opportunity to accept what is offered.
Please follow the schedule you agreed to completely. If for any reason you are not able to follow the schedule, please let the Ino know. Thank you for your practice.
Retreat Customs