Intensive Practice
Beginner’s
Mind offers sesshins and special practice periods
throughout the year.
A
sesshin
(pronounced seh-sheen) is a period of intensive meditation
as practiced in Zen Buddhist monastaries. A day at those in
Beginner's Mind may include up to twelve 30-minute periods
of meditation, interspersed with walking meditation
(kinhin), short rest breaks and silent meals, as well as
short work periods (samu).
Students may choose to meet briefly with teachers in
private (dokusan)
during a sesshin. There are also shorter periods of
intensive meditation lasting from one-half to two-thirds of
a day, called zazenkais (meditation meetings).
Sesshins at Beginner’s Mind Zen Center are generally two
days in length, and there is a more intensive daily
practice in the five days proceeding them.
A week-long “practice period” is offered twice a year at
Beginner’s Mind Zen Center. The number of daily meditation
sessions are increased over this time. Students are invited
to set their own goals for this time.