Summer sesshin

This summer sesshin is a seven-day silent meditation retreat in the Zen tradition, held by the Auckland Zen Centre at Bella Rakha Retreat Centre in Oratia, Auckland, New Zealand. It is meant for people who already have a zazen practice and want to give a full week to sitting in disciplined silence.

The Centre holds two sesshins a year, one in spring and one in summer. This is the summer one.

What to Expect

Sesshin is conducted in silence from beginning to end, and every part of the day is arranged to support whole-hearted practice and attention to the present moment. The schedule is there to hold the practice, so there is little to decide and little to manage beyond the next round of sitting.

Dokusan, one-to-one instruction with the teacher, is offered three times a day. Participants are also encouraged to sit beyond the formal rounds, for those who wish to go further into the week's effort.

The Setting

The retreat takes place at Bella Rakha Retreat Centre on West Coast Road in Oratia, on the western side of Auckland. The Auckland Zen Centre itself is based in Onehunga.

Before You Go

Prior zazen experience is required for sesshin. This is a retreat for those who already sit, not an introduction to meditation.

The Centre's website carries fuller sesshin information and the registration form, which is the place to look for practical details before committing to the week.