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All
Day Sitting
In
Zen parlance, one period of zazen is often called “a
sitting.” For of course that’s what we do: sit,
opening the hand of thought.
During nine months of the year, October through June, the
Zen Center offers “two-day sittings” on the third
weekend of each month, with nearly continuous periods of zazen,
chanting of the Heart Sutra and meals with oryoki
bowls. (See Calendar.)
We use the term “two-day sitting” to describe a
mini-sesshin. A sesshin is a period of intensive practice,
usually lasting three, five or seven days. The Japanese word
“sesshin” is sometimes translated as “collecting
the heart/mind.”
These two days become an opportunity for us to sit quietly,
experiencing the silence of the zendo and allowing ourselves
to exist in the reality of here and now. People are welcome
to attend both full days if they wish and we can accommodate
overnight stays with advance notice. You are also welcome
to use these days in whatever way your schedule will permit,
joining us and leaving us at any point in the schedule. Two-day
sittings are intended to offer both intensive practice and
a wider time frame for zazen.
Please come appreciate the silence!
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