Weekend Sesshin - Fall Ango Opening

Ango — the traditional three-month intensive practice period in Zen — opens with this weekend sesshin. The retreat follows the classical residential schedule: long periods of zazen (sitting meditation) punctuated by kinhin (walking meditation), chanting services, silent meals eaten in oryoki style, and work practice that's part of the training itself. Expect to sit seven to ten hours daily, with dharma talks from teachers and dokusan (private meetings) to work directly with your practice.

Weekend sesshin is structured and demanding but self-contained. You arrive Friday, immerse in the schedule for three days, and return to ordinary life Sunday evening. The residential format means you stay on-site, eat with the community, and participate in the full rhythm of the day — there's no commuting out for meals or rest. Bring a meditation cushion (zafu) if you have one; the center typically provides backrest support and benches for those who need them. Noble silence means no unnecessary talking; conversation before and after the sesshin is normal.