Sesshin Information
SESSHIN: 
Daiyuzenji's Zen Retreat

February 11-14, 2010
at
The Japanese Culture Institute, Lake in the Hills, IL


What is Sesshin?

Sesshin is an intensive Zen retreat. Beginning very early each morning and lasting until late in the evening, the sesshin schedule includes meditation, work periods, chanting, calligraphy, and other activities. The intention of sesshin is to completely focus and unify mind and body; the schedule facilitates concentration, and forces participants to face themselves clearly without distortion or distraction. Sesshin is an opportunity to see yourself and your life more clearly...and to emerge with new insight and strength to change old patterns of thinking, doing and being.


Am I Ready for Sesshin?

We welcome everyone with a desire to practice Zen. Zen teachers and senior students are available to assist you throughout sesshin and to answer questions.

Sesshin is a challenging training.  Please come with an open mind and resolved to give your best effort.  If you have not yet attended a sesshin with us, we request that you contact us by email before registering:  this will allow us to have a conversation with you to determine if sesshin is the best training option for you at this time.


Where is Sesshin?

Lake in the Hills is northwest of Chicago, approximate one hour by car; a map is here.


What do I bring?

During sesshin, all meals (vegetarian) will be provided. Participants must sleep at the sesshin location. Please bring the following:

  • Training clothes for meditation and work (gi, hakama, samue). If you do not own these traditional clothes, just wear loose, comfortable clothing without bright colors or words. No shorts or immodest clothing, please. Remember to bring extra layers (long underwear, hat, etc.) depending on the season.
  • Sleeping bag
  • Toiletries
  • Indoor sandals
  • Jihatsu (eating bowls) if owned (available to borrow or purchase)
  • Okyo book (for chanting) if owned (available to borrow)


Sesshin Start and Finish

Thursday 2/11
7:30 pm     Registration
8:30 pm     Sesshin begins

Sunday 2/14
8:00 am     Retreat ends; clean-up and departure


Transportation

There will be a carpool interest sheet at Daiyuzenji; please add your name to this, and communicate with the others on the list to arrange rides.  Because we have limited staff available to set up for sesshin, we unfortunately cannot guarantee the availability of someone to give you a ride.  For this reason it is also recommended that attendees from out of town arrange their own transportation from the airport to the sesshin site.

If you wish to take the train from Chicago, sesshin is about 5 minutes by car from the Crystal Lake Metra stop.  It may be possible for us to pick you up from this station, or to take a taxi to sesshin from there.  Please let us know if this is your plan.


How To Register

The suggested donation for Sesshin is $300.00. However, no one will be excluded for inability to donate.  If you like, we can also suggest an amount which will cover the minimum cost of your attendance; please contact us.

Option 1: Register online using PayPal (please click the icon below):

You will be able to specify the amount of your donation (suggested:  $300.00).  In the "Instructions to the Seller" section please leave us a note telling us your full name, if this is your first sesshin with us, and if you have attended sesshin elsewhere.





Option 2. Mail in your registration:

Please mail your donation to the address below. Please include a note with your full name and email address; let us know also if this is your first sesshin with us, or if you have attended sesshin elsewhere.

DAIYUZENJI
Attn:  Sesshin Registration
3717 N. Ravenswood #113
Chicago, IL 60613


ANY QUESTIONS? Please email us: info@daiyuzenji.org