Intensive Practice
Beginner’s
Mind offers sesshins and special practice periods
throughout the year.
A
sesshin
(pronounced seh-sheen) is a period of intensive meditation
as practiced in Zen Buddhist monastaries. A day may include
up to eight 30-40 minute periods of meditation,
interspersed with walking meditation (kinhin), short rest
breaks and silent meals, as well as short work periods
(samu).
Students may choose to meet briefly with teachers in
private (dokusan)
during a sesshin.
Sesshins at Beginner’s Mind Zen Center run from one to four
days in length. The last sesshin of the year takes place
from December 28th to December 31st.
A longer “practice period” is offered over the summer at
Beginner’s Mind Zen Center. The number of daily meditation
sessions are increased over this time. Students are invited
to set their own goals for this period of time.