Sesshins

Gathering Heart and Mind in Silent Stillness

Sesshin is a time for us to take pause from the usual engagements, responsibilities and busyness of our daily lives and to touch and gather heart and mind through extended periods of silent meditation. It is an opportunity for us to reflect more deeply and to renew our capacity to be completely present and awake with ourselves and the world. The days are structured in silence to include sitting and walking meditation, dharma talks, meetings with the teacher (Dokusan), body awareness practice, eating and rest. Although there will be a schedule, everyone will be encouraged to engage in it according to their personal physical requirements.

All sesshins are held at our dharma center in Oakland. To attend Sesshin in person you most provide documentation that you have been fully vaccinated to the Sesshin director. Zazenkai is a 1 day period practice from 9 AM to 4 PM on Saturday. The two day sesshins begin on Friday at 6:30 pm and end Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm thus offering an opportunity for people to attend without having to take time off from work. The four day sesshins begin on Wednesday at 6:00 pm and end Sunday at noon. Those who live close by will go home to sleep in the evening and those traveling from a distance can either stay with local members in their home or make their own outside sleeping arrangements. There is also space at the zen center for sleeping, but people provide their own bedding.

2025 Sesshin Schedule

Saturday, February 8 Zazenkai 9 AM to 4 PM This Zazenkai is full, and registration is closed.

May 14-18 Sesshin at Bay Zen Center

July31- August 4 Joint Sesshin with Santa Rosa and Sacramento Ordinary Mind Zen School Sanghas (Limited attendance. Bay Zen Center Members Only.

Saturday September 27 Zazenkai 9 AM to 4 PM

December 5 -7 Sesshin at Bay Zen Center

Registration

To register for sesshins or zazenkai, complete our Sesshin Application. Make your payment through PayPal, by sending a Zelle payment to bayzencenter@gmail.com, or by mailing a a check separately. If paying by check, mail your application to 3824 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA 94610

Call 510-596-3087 or write the center if you want a hardcopy application mailed to you.

Applicants from out of town will receive a letter or email informing them of their acceptance within a few days after their application is received. All others can assume that they have been accepted unless they don’t hear from us within two days after the deadline date.

If you have any questions regarding sesshin please contact the Sesshin Director listed above or send an email to: bayzencenter@gmail.com.