Sesshin

Sesshin literally means ‘to touch the true mind’, to become familiar with oneself, with one’s own body and with one’s own mind.
Since the time of Shakyamuni Buddha, sesshin have been at the heart of Zen. They are periods of practice devoted to intensive zazen. It means letting go of one’s egoism, the spirit of separation, and coming into harmony with others, with nature and with the cosmic order. During a sesshin, which can last from one to several days, every action is an extension of zazen; all actions are animated by the spirit of the practice. Zazen, work, meals and sleep become dōkan, the circle of the Way – without beginning, without end. In this way, the sesshin becomes a foundation for realising the practice in everyday life. If we focus on one point after another, our life becomes a harmonious line. Zen consists of living in the complete presence of being. It is the experience of eternity in the present moment.