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.
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We warmly invite you to this full-immersion residential Zen meditation retreat, set amid the beauty of St Arnaud, just over an hour's drive from Nelson, New Zealand. Shugen Arnold Roshi, the abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery and the head of the Mountains and Rivers Order, will be present at the retreat as the teacher.
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 practitioners. Sesshin is an opportunity to receive personal guidance in private interviews (dokusan) with the teacher. 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. If you are a first-time sesshin retreatant, we will arrange an interview by phone before confirming your attendance. This is to help ensure that sesshin is a good fit for your circumstances. Once you join sesshin, you are asked to stay until the conclusion of the retreat (after lunch on Saturday). It is possible to join the retreat while it is in progress, up until Thursday evening. Doing just part of the full retreat is recommended for those who are new to sesshin. Health precautions Anyone who registers for the retreat (and other events) who has cold or flu symptoms on the day they planned to join should not attend. A full refund of the retreat/workshop cost will be offered in this circumstance (but not extending to any travel costs). We ask that those participating in sesshin complete a RAT test on the day of their arrival, prior to arrival. We ask that participants take this precaution to minimise the risk of passing on Covid to older members of the sangha at the retreat. Anyone who becomes ill while in sesshin will either be cared for in a separate isolation dorm, or arrangements may be made to drive the person back to Nelson to isolate there. These arrangements and protocols may be adjusted in accordance with what is happening closer to the start time in July. All those who register for the retreat will be informed in a timely manner if there are policy changes. Online participation For people who are unable to attend the retreat in person, we will be live-streaming zazen, liturgy, oryoki meals, and daily dharma talks. Those who attend online will be provided with the week's liturgy, sesshin guidelines, schedules, Zoom meeting numbers etc. The extent of participation is up to you, and engagement is by donation. If you would like to discuss online participation, please email [email protected] |
Geoffrey Shugen Arnold, Roshi is the Head of the Mountains and Rivers Order, and abbot and resident teacher of Zen Mountain Monastery. Shugen has been in full-time residential Zen training since 1986; he received dharma transmission from Daido Roshi in 1997.
He has visited New Zealand to lead Zen Buddhist retreats and workshops for many years, and currently offers a programme in Nelson each July. |
Location
Rotoiti Lodge, St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes, New Zealand.
75 mins drive from Nelson - ride sharing available. Get directions.
75 mins drive from Nelson - ride sharing available. Get directions.
Cost
We are offering an early-bird discount for the July sesshin – to be eligible for this reduced rate we need to have received your completed registration and full payment by June 15. Registrations and deposits received after this date will be charged at the standard rate.
Sunday • $570 at early-bird discount or $600 standard rate
Monday • $500 at early-bird discount or $530 standard rate
Tuesday • $420 at early-bird discount or $450 standard rate
Wednesday • $340 at early-bird discount or $370 standard rate
Thursday • $260 at early-bird discount or $290 standard rate
Subsidies
This year, in order to cover the increasing operational costs of sesshin (which includes food, accommodation and teacher travel from the US) we have raised the retreat fees. We understand that those who travel from afar face expenses in addition to the costs of the retreats, and also that people who want to participate may also face other financial constraints. If you are unable to meet the retreat fee, please let us know in the registration form or give us a call/email (see below). Whatever your level of experience with Zen practice, we wish to make these retreats accessible to you. This can include the possibility of paying off the retreat fee in increments.
Sunday • $570 at early-bird discount or $600 standard rate
Monday • $500 at early-bird discount or $530 standard rate
Tuesday • $420 at early-bird discount or $450 standard rate
Wednesday • $340 at early-bird discount or $370 standard rate
Thursday • $260 at early-bird discount or $290 standard rate
Subsidies
This year, in order to cover the increasing operational costs of sesshin (which includes food, accommodation and teacher travel from the US) we have raised the retreat fees. We understand that those who travel from afar face expenses in addition to the costs of the retreats, and also that people who want to participate may also face other financial constraints. If you are unable to meet the retreat fee, please let us know in the registration form or give us a call/email (see below). Whatever your level of experience with Zen practice, we wish to make these retreats accessible to you. This can include the possibility of paying off the retreat fee in increments.
What to bring to sesshin
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NOTE: For those not wishing to bring their own bedding: bedding packs are available for pre-order order at $35. See the registration form.
• face mask (although there is no requirement to wear face masks at the retreat) • warm sleeping bag • pillow • earplugs can be helpful • towel • toiletries • torch • raincoat • woollen hat and gloves • outdoor clothing and footwear for outside 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 Lake Rotoiti is in a sub-alpine region and does get very cold, especially overnight. Bring plenty of extra layers to ensure you are warm enough for indoor and outdoor work. |
If you have questions about this retreat
please contact the Nelson MRO Zen group
Gwitha Kaido Nash - 0211218133
[email protected]
please contact the Nelson MRO Zen group
Gwitha Kaido Nash - 0211218133
[email protected]
