February Sesshin - The Phoenix of True Nature: Death and Rebirth: A 5 Day Online Meditation Retreat

The example of the Buddha’s Parinirvana invites us to face the unknown directly and be empowered by what we see.

How often in your daily life do you allow yourself to reflect on your own mortality, your own death?

During this sesshin we have the space and encouragement to look into the fears and anxieties surrounding death and dying.

Accordingly to ancient legend, the phoenix is a bird that cyclically burns to death and is reborn from its own ashes. We allow the body, heart and mind to deeply settle and rest – as we feel into the fundamental koans – What is being alive? What dies? Can we experience death with the living body? What continues, how do we transform?

Come, welcome the unknown and rest in the mystery of your own nature.

It is our intention to offer the supportive structure to allow you to do a week long meditation retreat at home. You can participate to whatever degree your life allows. Consider the possibility to design your own retreat. Do a work/family sesshin. Take one day this week and make it a retreat day!

This retreat will take place through the zoom app. You will receive a link to the retreat once you register.

Doing a retreat at home can be empowering, take up the practice in your own home and know the peace and clarity of mind in your own dwelling place! To support doing home retreat we recommend doing the following:

1. Reflect on your intention
2. Create a sacred space with a simple altar and meditation supports in a clean room that allows for calm/peace of mind
3. Commit to a schedule, we have a schedule posted below. We ask that you commit to at least 4 hours of meditation a day. Part-time attendance is welcome. Join for a day, the weekend or the whole week. Please let us know the dates you plan to attend.
4. Give up or reduce media, phone and extra computer use for the duration of the retreat
5. Keep the practice going during the “breaks” by engaging with Mindful Eating during meals and choosing simple work (gardening, cleaning, etc.), body practice/exercise (walking, yoga, qi gong) or creative projects that support your meditation practice/intention.
6. Consider being in silence for the whole retreat or practicing silence for specific periods during the day.
7. If you live with others, communicate with them what your intention is for this week of practice and ask them to support you

Approximate Schedule

Monday Night

7:30 Orientation
8:30 Zazen/Opening Talk

Tuesday – Saturday
5:30 Zazen
7:20 Chanting Service
8:00 Breakfast

11:30 Zazen
12:50 Chanting Service
1:00 Lunch

3:00 Movement
3:30 Teisho (Dharma Talk)
4:30 Zazen
5:20 Chanting Service

5:30 Dinner

7:00 Zazen
9:30 Formal Tea/Closing Chant/Zazen

Sunday Morning

6:00 Zazen/Closing Remarks

7:00 Closing Circle

10:00 Sunday Program Chanting Service/Zazen

11:30 Dharma Talk