Sesshin (literally, "touching the heart") are highly structured, intensive periods of silent group practice. Each day of sesshin includes approximately ten hours of meditation, formal oryoki meals (oryoki bowls pictured above), a work period, a dharma talk, and dokusan (individual meetings with a teacher). Sesshin are designed to challenge and deepen one's practice, and there is no better way to explore and awaken the heart of Zen, which is ultimately the heart of everything.
Note: Previous Zen meditation experience and an established/on-going meditation practice are required to participate in a sesshin. If you have the necessary zazen experience, but are not a member of the NZC community and have not established a student relationship with NZC's teachers, send an email to nebraskazencenter@gmail.com to determine whether your participation in a sesshin would be fitting at this time.
Regarding Teacher Dana:
Our teachers, Dosho and Tetsugan, do not receive payment from Nebraska Zen Center for leading sesshin and retreats but rely on "teacher dana" for compensation. $30 per day of sesshin/retreat is the suggested dana per person; if your financial circumstances allow for more or less than that amount, your gift will be received with gratitude.
Note: Previous Zen meditation experience and an established/on-going meditation practice are required to participate in a sesshin. If you have the necessary zazen experience, but are not a member of the NZC community and have not established a student relationship with NZC's teachers, send an email to nebraskazencenter@gmail.com to determine whether your participation in a sesshin would be fitting at this time.
Regarding Teacher Dana:
Our teachers, Dosho and Tetsugan, do not receive payment from Nebraska Zen Center for leading sesshin and retreats but rely on "teacher dana" for compensation. $30 per day of sesshin/retreat is the suggested dana per person; if your financial circumstances allow for more or less than that amount, your gift will be received with gratitude.
| sesshin sample schedule - 3 days.pdf |
Sesshin schedule for 2020:
~ Spring Sesshin
6:30pm, Thurs, March 12 thru 12:00pm, Sun, March 15
Click the pdf file above for an example of our typical three-day sesshin schedule
Fees for Spring Sesshin: Standard Rate $170; Sustaining Members $150; Supporting Members $130
Registration and payment deadline: 5:00pm, Thursday, February 27
~ Summer Sesshin
6:30pm, Thurs, June 25 thru 12:00pm, Thurs, July 2
~ Fall Sesshin
6:30pm, Thurs, Oct 1 thru 12:00pm, Sun, Oct 4
~ Rohatsu Sesshin
6:30pm, Sun, Dec 6 thru 12:00pm, Sun, Dec 13
To register:
1. Send an email to nebraskazencenter@gmail.com to request an application.
2. Submit your completed application for review and approval.
3. Once you have received email confirmation that your application has been approved, submit your payment via PayPal or check before the registration deadline to reserve a space.
Note: If you submit payment before your application has been approved, it will be returned to you, less any fees incurred by NZC.
Refund Policy: Your payment reserves a space for you in the sesshin/retreat. Due to the advanced planning and preparation required to host sesshin/retreats, registration fees are no longer refundable after the registration deadline has passed. If a registrant cancels before the registration deadline, the fee is refundable, less a $25 administrative fee and any additional fees incurred by NZC (i.e. PayPal fees). If your application is not approved for any reason, or the sesshin is canceled, the fee will be returned to you in full, less any fees incurred by NZC (i.e. PayPal fees).
~ Spring Sesshin
6:30pm, Thurs, March 12 thru 12:00pm, Sun, March 15
Click the pdf file above for an example of our typical three-day sesshin schedule
Fees for Spring Sesshin: Standard Rate $170; Sustaining Members $150; Supporting Members $130
Registration and payment deadline: 5:00pm, Thursday, February 27
~ Summer Sesshin
6:30pm, Thurs, June 25 thru 12:00pm, Thurs, July 2
~ Fall Sesshin
6:30pm, Thurs, Oct 1 thru 12:00pm, Sun, Oct 4
~ Rohatsu Sesshin
6:30pm, Sun, Dec 6 thru 12:00pm, Sun, Dec 13
To register:
1. Send an email to nebraskazencenter@gmail.com to request an application.
2. Submit your completed application for review and approval.
3. Once you have received email confirmation that your application has been approved, submit your payment via PayPal or check before the registration deadline to reserve a space.
Note: If you submit payment before your application has been approved, it will be returned to you, less any fees incurred by NZC.
Refund Policy: Your payment reserves a space for you in the sesshin/retreat. Due to the advanced planning and preparation required to host sesshin/retreats, registration fees are no longer refundable after the registration deadline has passed. If a registrant cancels before the registration deadline, the fee is refundable, less a $25 administrative fee and any additional fees incurred by NZC (i.e. PayPal fees). If your application is not approved for any reason, or the sesshin is canceled, the fee will be returned to you in full, less any fees incurred by NZC (i.e. PayPal fees).