In the Soto Zen Camino Medio Community, a sesshin It's not just retiring from our daily lives; It is a deep immersion in the very essence of our practice. Sesshin Combine Japanese characters for "contact" (catch) and "mind/heart" (Heart), What we can interpret as "touching the essential" or "unifying the mind-corazón". This practice dates back to the beginnings of Buddhism in India, going through China and consolidating in Japan as a fundamental pillar of the Zen tradition.
A sesshin It is much more than a withdrawal of silence or intensive meditation. It is a space to meet our true nature, leaving behind the identity layers and conditioning that perpetuate suffering. By immersing ourselves in the silence and depth of the present moment, the atmosphere that is generated during the sesshin helps us explore who we are really.
Unlike urban retreats, las sesshin They are characterized by their most extensive duration and by offering full pension, which allows practitioners to dedicate themselves exclusively to practice without worrying about logistics aspects. Besides, during the sesshin, meals are served in Oryoki, A Zen ritual that fosters full attention and gratitude for food, turning each meal into a meditative practice. These conditions create an ideal environment for a total immersion in the experience of Buddhism Soto Zen.
Structure and practice in a Sesshin
During a sesshin, Every day is carefully structured to facilitate the practice and keep us focused at the present time. From dawn to dusk, Activities include:
- Oryoki (Ritualized foods): Meals are made in silence and with full attention, following the Zen ritual that encourages thanks and full awareness in each act of eating.
- Zazen (Sitting meditation): Prolonged periods of meditation in silence, The heart of the sesshin.
- Kinhin (Meditation walking): An opportunity to keep full attention while we move.
- Find (Conscious work): Manual tasks performed with full attention, reminding us that each act is an expression of practice.
- Teisho (Formal teachings): Talks taught by experienced teachers or teachers, that guide the understanding of practice.
- Dokusan (Private meetings with the teacher): Moments of direct guidance, where questions are addressed, Personal blockages and advances.
Each activity has a specific purpose, allowing the practice to transcend seventy meditation and cover all aspects of life.
Silence and transformation
Silence during a sesshin It is not merely the absence of noise; It is a deep introspection space. Without the usual distractions, Practitioners can observe thought patterns, Emotions and reactions, becoming aware of his way of being and being in the world. This process allows a genuine transformation, crumbling the barriers of the ego and opening the door to a deeper understanding of emptiness and interconnection.
The value of Dokusan
He dokusan, The personal encounter with the teacher, It is a crucial element of the sesshin. At the moment, The practitioner receives personalized guidance, addressing doubts and receiving teachings adapted to your experience. This direct exchange strengthens the practice and allows to overcome obstacles on the road.
The impact of a Sesshin
A sesshin It is an opportunity to transcend our limitations and explore the depths of our mind. Each moment is an invitation to release closer and allow full conscience to emerge. At the end of the sesshin, We are not the same: We carry with us a transformation seed that blooms with everyday practice.
Participate in one Sesshin with the CSZCM
In the Soto Zen Camino Medio Community, ours sesshin They are spaces of intensive and transformative practice. If you want to experience Soto Zen Buddhism at its expression, This is the place to start. You will explore your true nature, You will live more clearly and develop a deeper compassion.
You are invited to join our sesshin and discover the path of Zen in its essence. Remember that it is required to have participated in a Urban Retreat previously. For more information about dates and details, These are the ones we have programmed soon:
