Singing the Song of Zazen – A Commuter Sesshin – June 2024

Early morning in May: Looking at Bread Loaf Mountain. (Eisho 2022)

Three full days June 13th, 14th, 15th.

Let’s get together for a few days, in sesshin, a gathering of our heart-minds and bodies. Let’s spend these days in silence, with periods of sitting and walking meditation, dharma talks and lunch together.

This retreat is offered for commuters (in person fully booked) and the online community.

We will practice each day together from 9am until 5pm, with an option for an earlier start on Saturday. This sesshin will take place and be zoomed from the ‘Barndo’ in Cornwall, Vermont – see our schedule below.

‘Song of Zazen’ (Busshin 2024)

The backdrop for our retreat will be Master Hakuin’s Song of Zazen.

In this short poem Hakuin clearly lays out the practice and heart of zazen – a zazen that is not just about sitting, but about joyfully living our lives from our awakening.

At this moment what is there that you lack?
Nirvana presents itself before you,
Where you stand is the Land of Purity.
Your person, the body of Buddha.

Eisho Sinclair will be leading this retreat.

Eisho is a Priest and Dharma Holder within Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community. A long-standing zen practitioner, Eisho has also been a Buddhist and Mental Health Prison Chaplain for fifteen years, and is a Hakomi therapist (somatic psychotherapy). He is also a grandad!

A note about the practice of generosity (dana): 

Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community is supported solely by financial donations. The teachings are offered freely and no one is ever required to pay. For those able to contribute, we suggest a donation of $225-300 for this program if you attend in person, and $90-125 if you participate online.

This amount helps to offset the costs of the meals provided and the upkeep of our temple, technology, buildings, and grounds. But any contribution amount – less or more according to your means – is always gratefully received. Your gift makes programs and practice opportunities financially accessible for all. We are deeply grateful for your generosity.

Sesshin:  The Song of Zazen

Three full days: June 13th-15th, 2024

An online and in-person offering

Thursday and Friday

09:00        Zazen/Kinhin
10:30        Break
11:00        Dharma Talk
11:30        Kinhin/Zazen
1:00           Lunch & Rest
2:30           Zazen/Kinhin
3:40           Rest
4:00           Zazen/Kinhin
4:45           Four Vows
5:00           Depart

Saturday

(Either arrive for the 7am sit or the 9am sit)

Optional 7:00     Public Zazen
Optional 7:40     Service
Optional 8:00     Breakfast

09:00        Zazen/Kinhin
10:45        Break
11:00        Dharma Talk
11:30        Kinhin/Zazen
1:00           Lunch & Rest
2:30           Zazen/Kinhin
3:40           Rest
4:00           Closing Council
4:30           Four Vows and Depart

Please sign up for this sesshin by using this link.