Sesshin
means touching the mind: ses
to touch, shin
the mind. It is also translated as
concentrating or unifying the mind
.
An important tradition of zen Buddhism, it is an opportunity to step back from the agitation of the social world and concentrate completely on zen meditation (zazen) and the acts of daily life through attention to the present moment (samu).
Touching the mind, becoming intimate with oneself, concentrating on the unified body and mind. This teaching was transmitted by Master Taisen Deshimaru.
Neither philosophy, nor ethics, nor religion, zen allows us to access their common origin. A source of awakening, zen transforms our life here and now. Thus, the mind calms down and the spirit returns to the normal condition, without complications, non-duality, in harmony with the universe.
Each retreat is led by one of the masters of the sangha who has received the shiho from Master Kosen, or by a senior monk or nun of the sangha.
Course of a retreat
Sesshins usually last two to three and a half days (generally on weekends), with an arrival on site the evening before.
They are punctuated by various traditional sounds, and favor the silence of the retreat: the sounds communicate the schedule to everyone.
A typical day
Morning
- 7:00 AM — The wake-up bell passes through the rooms.
- After quick ablutions and sometimes a hot drink, the participants join the dojo for the first zazen at 7:30 AM.
- At the end of zazen, the sutras are chanted during the morning ceremony.
- Breakfast is taken in silence: genmai, traditional soup of zen monks and nuns.
- A time of relaxation around coffee precedes the samu, notably for the preparation of the meal.
- At the sound of the wood, the participants join the dojo for the second zazen of the morning.
Midday
- After zazen and a break, the metal calls to the refectory for the midday meal, taken in silence.
- Follows a time of rest: nap, walk, or simple presence in the natural environment.
Afternoon
- Around 3:30 PM — The sound of the wood announces the general samu. Everyone participates in daily tasks: cooking, cleaning, maintenance of green spaces…
Evening
- The wood calls to the 5:00 PM zazen, followed by the evening meal, then the fourth and last zazen of the day.
- At the end of the evening, the sound of the clappers indicates that it is time to go to bed for a night of rest.
Who can participate?
Sesshins are open to anyone in good health wishing to discover or deepen the practice of zen meditation (zazen). The rule being to follow the rhythm and not to disturb others.
Of course, a sesshin being quite demanding, especially for beginners, it is recommended before doing an initiation to zazen, zen meditation in one of the multiple practice places of our association.