Sesshin is a week-long meditation intensive that is unique to the Zen tradition.
​In sesshin we can experience the deep stillness that lies within each one of us. 

​Monday, January 21, 2019, 5pm - Sunday, January 27, 2pm
You can join sesshin any time up until Friday evening. 

Characterised by silence and deep introspection, sesshin is recommended to anyone who is sincerely interested in experiencing intensive Zen training and deepening their meditation practice. Sesshin is an unbroken stream of aware spiritual practice. We wake up each day before dawn to begin a schedule that includes 7 to 10 hours of zazen, chanting services, formal silent meals (oryoki) in the meditation hall, silent caretaking (e.g. preparing meals or cleaning), and talks by the teacher and senior student. Sesshin is an opportunity to receive personal guidance in private interviews (daisan) with the teacher, Hojin Sensei. During sesshin we draw from the tremendous strength and encouragement of practising together as a group.

Because the week-long sesshin is a very intensive retreat, those wishing to attend the full week should have prior experience in meditation. Those who have never participated in a sesshin or who are newer to Zen practice/meditation are encouraged to join in, however we recommend beginning on Friday for the weekend portion of the retreat. This is a great way to get a taste of sesshin and to develop your meditation practice. Sesshin may be joined at any stage during the week, as late as Friday evening.

​If you are a first-time sesshin participant, you will be interviewed by phone before confirming your particpation in the retreat. This is to help ensure that sesshin is a good fit for your personal circumstances. Once you join sesshin, you are asked to stay until the conclusion of the retreat. 
The venue for this sesshin is Staveley Camp in Canterbury, a 90-minute drive from Christchurch. Transport assistance to and from the retreat is available; this is included in the registration form. The retreat cost includes accommodation and meals. Accommodation is in shared, single sex dorm rooms. All meals are vegetarian, with special diets (i.e. gluten free) available. Please let us know your requirements on the registration form. 

For those arriving for the start of sesshin, registration will be at 5pm, Monday, 21 Jan. There will be a light dinner served at 6pm. For those with less available time, or readiness to commit to a full week, you are welcome to join sesshin at any time, up until Friday night. To preserve the harmony of the retreat, participants are asked to stay until the conclusion of sesshin at Sunday lunchtime.
Hojin Sensei is the senior MRO Training Coordinator, and co-Director of the Zen Center of New York City. She received dharma transmission from Shugen Roshi in 2017.  Hojin has taught drawing, ceramics, and painting for many years, opening people up to the wonders and mysteries of the creative process. Since 1990, she has been in residential training at Zen Mountain Monastery. This is her fourth teaching visit to New Zealand.

Location

Staveley Camp, Canterbury, New Zealand.
90 mins drive from Christchurch - ride sharing available. Get directions.

Cost

 We are offering an early-bird discount for the January events – to be eligible for this reduced rate we need to have received your completed registration and full payment by December 22, 2018. Registrations and deposits received after this date will be charged at the standard rate.

Sesshin start day:
Mon    $500 – or $450 at early-bird rate (available until Dec 22)
Tues    $425 – or $375 at early-bird rate
Wed    $350 – or $300 at early-bird rate
Thur    $280 – or $230 at early-bird rate
Fri         $210 – or $160 at early-bird rate

Subsidies
Whatever your level of experience with Zen practice, we wish to make these retreats accessible. We understand that those who travel from afar face expenses in addition to the costs of the retreats, and understand that people who want to participate may also face other financial constraints. If you are unable to meet the listed retreat costs, please indicate this in the registration form.

What to bring to sesshin
• warm sleeping bag, pillow, (earplugs optional)
• towel
• toiletries
• torch
• raincoat
• woollen hat and gloves
• outdoor clothing and footwear for work practice
• loose-fitting clothing for meditation, dark or muted in colour. Shirts should cover the shoulders (e.g. T-shirt and shirts). Please wear long trousers rather than shorts.
​
Please note that Staveley Camp is in a sub-alpine region and can get very cold, especially overnight. Bring extra layers to ensure you are warm enough for indoor and outdoor work.
If you have questions about this retreat, please contact the Christchurch MRO Zen group at:
christchurch@zen.org.nz