Spring Sesshin

Saturday 23rd to Saturday 30th September
SZC Spring sesshin will be led by Gillian Coote, roshi and apprentice teacher Will Moon
In a profound valley beneath high cliffs,
zazen is peaceful, lonely and truly comfortable.
(from Song of Realising the Way by Yung-chia)
At sesshin, we separate ourselves from the concerns and preoccupations of our busy, everyday lives. In these special training circumstances we are free to devote ourselves entirely to the practice of realising the Buddha Way. We are free to be true to our hearts. We are free to transcend the background chatter of our busy minds and see into the fact of our own nature.
Here, everything – the fog, the dew, the birdsong, the encircling cliffs – conspires to wake us up.
Old-timers and new students alike are most welcome. However, as sesshin involves seven or eight hours a day of zazen – sitting meditation – it is suitable only for people with experience in meditating for extended periods.
Kodoji or Ancient Ground Temple, is SZC’s retreat centre in the Upper MacDonald Valley, about 2 hours north-west of Sydney, via Wisemans Ferry and St Albans. It was built over the last twenty-five years by Sydney Zen Centre students. Kodoji sits in a beautiful valley called Gorricks Run, surrounded by high sandstone cliffs and deep wilderness.
Indoor accommodation is available if you require it. Most participants prefer to bring their own tents and camp in the paddock, or sleep under cover of the dojo verandah.
Bookings:
Applications are now open for members and non-members. If we need to limit attendance numbers to minimise the COVID risks, we will allocate places in the order they are received, subject to the following priorities:
1st priority: SZC members who book full-time or part-time positions by
2nd priority: Anyone (member or non-member) booking a full-time position by
3rd priority: Any other bookings, in the order they are receive.
COVID safe:
The sesshin will be run on COVID-safe principles. Participants will need to provide proof of their double vaccinated
(at minimum) status to attend sesshin. If you experience cold/flu/respiratory symptoms in the days leading up to the sesshin, you can not attend sesshin, and we will fully refund your fee.
Backup plan / cancellation of sesshin:
In the event that flooding prevents us from accessing Kodoji, our backup plan is to relocate the sesshin to our Annandale zendo during the daytime, with early morning and evening blocks online. We will provide a refund option for participants who might find these arrangements impractical.
Flyer and Application form here
Contact: Julie Robinson julesandco@live.com.au
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SZC will hold other sesshins during the year:
Rohatsu sesshin at Annandale, led by Paul Maloney
Saturday 2nd to Friday December 8th, 2023
Contact: Jill Steverson jillsteverson@gmail.com