Sesshin Guidelines
These guidelines are to help us move together smoothly during this time of focused effort. They form a simple and reliable container for practice, within which we can relax - we can let go of the judging and decision-making that is necessary in other areas of our lives.
Silence
This is a silent retreat. It is an opportunity to leave our regular demanding work and lives behind and immerse ourselves in silence. Please allow internal and external silence to be the rule at all times of the day, including meal cleanup, work periods, breaks, and all other times.
There are many different ways to practice silence:
- We remain silent inside, keeping the mind quiet as we are able as we move through the day
- We don't read or write during this retreat unless asked to do so by one of the teachers
- We keep silence outside by not talking
- We also don't make eye contact with each other
Occasionally, there is an emergency, or information about work which needs to be shared. If you need to speak to someone, write a note instead of talking whenever it is reasonable to do so. If, after consideration, you decide it is necessary to speak, please do so in a whisper, away from others.
During retreat there should be no cell phone, telephone or computer use unless it is an emergency; if a need arises please check in with the Head of Zendo.
Proper Attire
In the zendo, please wear pants, a full-length skirt or meditation robes. Please do not wear shorts, brightly colored clothing, or clothing with words or pictures on it.
Before entering the Zendo, remove shoes, socks, slippers, and hats. Also remove anything that might beep, like digital watches.
Please do not wear strong scents into the zendo. "Strong" scents are those which are easily noticed by someone right next to you.
Schedule
An important form of practice during this retreat is keeping the schedule and moving together as a community. It is important to be on time and to attend everything on the schedule, unless you have made arrangements ahead of time.
Oriyoki
Meals will be eaten formal oriyoki-style in the dining room. Before each meal we will process from the zendo to the dining room, then return to the zendo afterwards. Please put on your shoes. To facilitate this, those seated on the Buddha's right hand side, should leave your shoes on the rack between the guest area and the zendo. Those on the Buddha's left hand side, please use the rack outside the residents' area.
There are oriyoki sets available if you do not have your own. Instruction will be provided during the retreat orientation. Be sure to have a set of oriyoki bowls next to your seat in the zendo before your first meal at sesshinSeptember 1, 2006dfulness and care while eating; simply do your best to follow the form, and don't worry about mistakes.
Zendo Form
- The wooden block (han) will be struck 10 minutes before a Zazen period, and lasts about 5 minutes.
- Please be in your place by the end of the han.
- By being on time, we practice gratitude and willingness with our bodies.
- Then walk to your seat, walking in front of as few people as possible.
- When you arrive at your front of your seat, bow once toward your seat, turn around, bow once to those across from you, and sit down.
- When the person right beside you or directly across from you bows towards you, you may return their bow in greeting.
- When walking in the zendo, please keep the hands together across the chest. Please do not allow the hands to hang down at your sides.
- If you need to cross from one side of the zendo to the other, please walk behind the Head of Zendo.
- The Back Row, or Gaitan is the short row of cushions next to the wall near the Founder's Room - reserved for those who arrive late to zazen. It was created to help maintain stillness in the zendo. Move from the gaitan to your assigned seat at the end of the next walking meditation.
When in doubt about zendo form (where and when to bow during service, for example), please follow those around you.
Once a period of zazen has started, please sit as still as possible. The quiet of the mind is greatly enhanced by the stillness of the body. If your legs hurt or you are very sleepy, you may stand up during a period of zazen. When entering the zendo, make a standing bow at the zendo entrance.
If your training position requires you to be out of the zendo during a sitting period, please fold your zabuton in half length-wise, and place your zafu on top of it.
Bowing Practice
We encourage everyone to participate in a simple bowing practice we follow at the monastery. Whenever two people walk past each other they briefly stop and bow to each other. This is a simple way of acknowledging and greeting without speaking or making eye contact.
The zendo is available for zazen during all breaks and at the end of the day. If you would like to do bowing practice, please do it in the Founders' Room with the door closed.
