April Sesshin: This is a Dream

Date: April 17 - 23, 2023

Time: Monday 5pm to Sunday 1pm

Location: Great Vow Zen Monastery or Online

Address: 79640 Quincy Mayger Road, Clatskanie, Oregon 97016, USA

Price: $75 - $380
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April Sesshin: This is a Dream

April 17 - 23, 2023

Monday 5pm to Sunday 1pm

At this time, there are dream grasses, grasses within, expressive grasses and so on. When we study this, then roots, stems, branches, leaves, flowers and fruits as well as radiance and color, are all the great dream. Do not mistake them as merely dreamy.–Dogen Zenji

The Dharma teachings remind us to regard experience as dream. Could it be that our thoughts, ideas, views of separation–are a dream?

The dream-like nature of reality is a teaching on the empty yet apparent nature of experience. It is a teaching of liberation and love.

During this sesshin we will explore the nature of experience through the lens of dream. We will be encouraged to bring awareness into our night-time experience & dreams, and we will open our awareness to the deep + subtle manifestations of this waking dream.

What is a dream made of? What is the dream ego made of? These are crucial inquiries for a person on the path of liberation, the path of awakening, the path of dreaming.

This is the dream expressed within a dream, prior to all dreams.–Dogen Zenji

Sesshin is a rigorous and, at times, challenging silent meditation retreat that is not recommended for beginners. In order to attend in person, we require that you attend one of our silent weekend retreats or a five-seven day silent retreat at another Zen Center before registering for our longer zen retreats. For more information about what to expect when attending a sesshin, click here.

Proof of vaccination is required to attend events at Great Vow Zen Monastery. For the latest on our health policies click here.

$50 deposit holds your space; balance due on arrival.
For those Online: On the first night, Zazen will begin at 8:20.
Example Schedule: Every sesshin has four sitting blocks a day, early morning, mid morning, mid day, and evening. Each sesshin has a slightly different schedule but please expect the following example schedule to hem in the possibilities.
Morning Block
5:00 am – Zazen
6:50 am – chanting Service
Mid Morning:
11:00 am – zazen
12:20 – chanting service
Mid Day
3:00 – Zazen
3:30 – dharma talk
5:30 Chanting service
Evening
7:00 – zazen
9:20 – closing chant

 

Leader:
Amy Kisei, Sensei