Hybrid Sesshin
APRIL 2023 7-DAY SESSHIN
Starts—Saturday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Ends—Saturday, April 29 at around 1:30 p.m.
Application Deadline—Saturday, April 1
General Sesshin Information
Residential Option
You may apply to stay at the Center during the April sesshin if you meet the following requirements:
- You are a member of the Triple Sangha.
- You are Roshi Graef's or Roshi Henderson's student.
- You are attending the sesshin full time. Full time means you are not leaving the Center AT ALL during sesshin other than going into the Center's gardens. If you leave the Zen Center for ANY length of time, you are part time and cannot stay at the Center during the sesshin.
- If you are using public transportation to travel to sesshin, you arrive a minimum of three days beforehand so that you can test for Covid.
- You use a rapid home test on the day of sesshin and receive a negative result.
There are a limited number of rooms available at the Center. Preference will be given to senior members, those who live farthest away, and those who have been attending Zoom sittings and other events regularly. If you request residency on your sesshin application, we will let you know after the deadline if a room is not available. Please pay for the residential option if that is what you have applied for. If for some reason we cannot accommodate you, your extra fee will be refunded. Meals will be provided for those who stay at the Center.
Reminders About Sesshins
- If there is any change in your sesshin status, you must contact Roshi.
- The sesshin fee as well as your membership dues, if you are a member of the VZC, must be paid in full before the deadline for sesshin applications. If this is a hardship for you, please contact Jed Graef. Likewise, if you are unable to pay the sesshin fee, please contact Jed.
- Several days after the application deadline you will receive an e-mail formally confirming your acceptance to the sesshin and with information about how to connect via Zoom (for virtual participants) as well as your dokusan group number and dokusan procedures. If you have any questions about the sesshin or sesshin procedures, please do not hesitate to contact the Center.
Pointers About Virtual Sesshins
- The virtual option is only for those who live beyond a nine hour drive of the VZC.
- We encourage you to maintain silence throughout the sesshin to the extent you are able.
- Try to plan your meals in advance. Eat in silence if possible and, if you can, recite the meal chants.
- During sittings, it is best not to face your camera, but rather sideways. Please do not sit with your back to the camera. During chanting and teisho, please face the camera. Your video should be on at all times unless you are not at the sitting.
- Unless you live alone, it is essential that you consult with those in your household about your sesshin expectations. Don't wait until the last minute to do this. The success of your sesshin depends on good communication with those with whom you share living space.