Fall Sesshin 2023

Sesshin means “collecting or joining together the heart-mind,” and is a period when sangha members come together for a period of more intensive practice.  Zazen and kinhin are combined with periods of work (samu) and meetings with the teachers (sanzen/dokusan). During the 2023 Indianola sesshin, the Seattle Soto Zen sangha will join our heart-minds together and practice intensively as a community, under the same roof. We welcome those outside the sangha who would like to join us!

Indianola, WA is a small town spread along the shores of Puget Sound.  We usually travel there via the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry.  The sesshin is held at Camp Indianola, a peaceful shoreline setting. The lodge where we will practice faces east over Puget Sound to sweeping views of Mt Rainier and the skyline of Seattle.

Logistics

Accommodations

Occupations are camp style with several bunkbeds in each room. We will use only the lower bunks, so that there will be 2 to 4 people in a room (depending on the size of the room). Two single rooms are available for a higher fee. Alternately, you may also bring your own tent for camping on the nearby field for a reduced fee.

An online-only option is also available.

Two gendered bathrooms, each with two toilets, showers and sinks are available. People are encouraged to use the spaces most comfortable for them.

Accessibility

Although the buildings we are using are not ADA compliant, there is a stair free path from the parking lot to the two retreat buildings, which may require some assistance depending on need. Bathrooms are also not ADA compliant. Please email registrar@seattlesotozen.org if you would like to discuss how we can best meet your needs within the constraints of the space.

Meals

We will practice a modified form of oryoki with food prepared by our tenzo, Jundo Steve Given, and his assistants. Please note any dietary restrictions on the registration form and we will do our best to accommodate them.

Schedule

Check in will begin after 3 pm on Thursday, September 14. The first period of zazen on Thursday will begin at 7:15 pm, followed by a brief orientation.

The daily schedule will begin with a 5:00 am wake-up bell, followed by first zazen at 5:30 am. Evening practice will conclude at 9:00 pm.

The sesshin ends mid-day Sunday, September 17, after a morning of practice.

Registration and Fees

Please see below for sesshin fees — Seattle Soto Zen keeps the fees as low as possible to cover the cost of the event.

Fees do not include teacher dana, which may be offered online (please make a note that your donation is intended for teacher dana) or in-person at the sesshin by cash or check.

After you register online, please email registrar@seattlesotozen.org if you need to cancel. You may withdraw for a full refund by August 14. A 25% refund is available if you cancel by September 1. During the final two weeks before the retreat we cannot offer a refund, except on compassionate grounds, such as hospitalization or death in the family.

If registration fills up, please email registrar@seattlesotozen.org to be placed on a wait list.

Covid Policy

• Masking is optional in alignment with Washington State Health Department policy.

• Vaccination against COVID-19 is highly recommended but not required.

• To protect your own health and those around you please consider remaining up-to-date with basic vaccinations and periodic boosters.