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Sittings & Retreats

Sesshins

Sesshin means to collect the heart/mind. We spend 3, 5, or 7 days meditating, eating, and working in silence, devoting every aspect of the day to the realization of the Buddha Way. All sesshin meals are served and taken in the traditional oryoki style.

Sesshin always begins with an orientation the evening before at 7:30 pm in the Buddha Hall near the entrance to 300 Page Street. There is also an oryoki instruction and refresher training offered the evening before at 5:00 pm; to sign up, call our toll free number 888.743.9362 or our local number 415.475.9362. (If you would like to stay for dinner that evening, dinner is at 6:30 pm; cost is by donation.)
 

Saturday Introductory Afternoon
June 8, 2013
October 26, 2013
1:30 pm - 5 pm

This half-day course is ideal for those who have attended the Saturday morning meditation instruction and wish to learn more about the details of practice at City Center.



Sunday Beginners' Sitting
May 19, 2013
August 25, 2013
Sunday, 9 am - 4:30 pm

This sitting is for new students and those who wish to participate in a gentler schedule.



Saturday Half-Day Sittings
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Saturday, August 10, 2013
5:40 am - noon

Please plan to arrive before 5:30 am

Online registration for the Half-Day Sitting will close at 4:00pm on the Thursday before the sitting.

This half-day sitting offers traditional Soto Zen meditation practice. We ask those who attend to commit to participating in the complete schedule.



Saturday One-Day Sittings
2013
February 16, May 11, June 1, July 13, September 21, October 19, November 16

Unless otherwise noted, sittings begin at 5:40 am - please plan to arrive before 5:30 am

Online registration for the One-Day Sitting will close at Noon on the Thursday before the sitting.

One-day sittings offer traditional Soto Zen all-day meditation practice. We ask those who attend one-day sittings to commit to participating in the complete schedule.



Shamatha Sitting, CC 5/26/13
Sunday, May 26, 2013
9 am - 4:00 pm
Buddha Hall at 300 Page Street
led by Mark Lancaster, assisted by Nadine Lau

Meditation is a combination of shamatha (calm abiding) and vipassna ( insight). Shamatha practice helps tune our bodies and minds to aspects of ease, joy and abiding in the moment.



Three-Day Sesshin 2013, CC 6/13-6/15/13
Thursday, June 13 - Saturday, June 15, 2013
Includes One-day Sitting: Saturday
led by Abbot Myogen Steve Stücky

This three-day sitting will include a one-day sitting on Saturday, June 15. Participants may sign up for just the Saturday sitting.