Join us for Beginner's Mind Sesshin taking place September 30 - Oct. 2 2022 from 7:30 PM on Friday through about 8 AM on Sunday morning. Beginner's Mind retreats take place in March and September each year and are great opportunities for those with limited experience in retreats. Additional explanation and instruction in zendo procedures, service and the how-to's of sitting are provided throughout the retreat. Experienced practitioners are also welcome and encouraged to attend and be a support for newer practitioners. And for all of us, the retreat is an opportunity to bring our beginner's mind, not our "expert" mind.
Sesshin will begin at 7:30 PM Friday evening, with sitting, including opening remarks and precautions and sitting instruction/review for anyone who would like it. Those who are new to retreat or to GPZC should plan to arrive by 6:00 PM for zendo procedures instruction. On Saturday morning at 6:00 AM, we begin with the chanting of the Verse of Atonement and Three Refuges, sitting and morning service, followed by breakfast for those attending in person.
The late morning schedule begins at 9:30 AM and will consist of sitting, walking meditation and a talk. After lunch, there will be a work practice period, sitting, evening service, dinner and evening sitting. Sunday morning includes two periods of zazen starting at 6 AM followed by the Gate of Sweet Nectar.
You are welcome to participate online or in person, full or part time. If not attending full time, please indicated your planned arrival and departure times. Note that our COVID guidelines have been updated since the previous retreat and apply to anyone attending in person. The guidelines are as follows (although subject to change as necessitated by the pandemic status):
COVID-Related Precautions:
- (For overnight retreats) A negative antigen test within the 24 hours prior to arrival at sesshin is required.
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We are requiring that anyone attending in person be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and require proof of vaccination. We strongly recommend also having the booster shot, but do not require it.
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Anyone providing proof of medical contra-indication (i.e. a letter from their doctor) for the COVID vaccine (or booster, should we require it in the future) can provide proof of a negative molecular COVID test (NAAT, PCR, etc., not an antigen test) within 72 hours prior to attendance in lieu of vaccine.
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Participants will be seated in the zendo at least 6 feet apart and asked to maintain distance during kinhin, services and lunch.
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Masks must be worn indoors except when eating, sleeping, or if you are the only person staying in a room and have the door closed. Participants must sit at designated spots for meals and eat in silence.
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In person participants must wear N95, KN95 or KF94 grade masks and will be provided with one if they do not bring one.
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Participants must wash their hands frequently, use hand sanitizer when handling shared equipment and wipe surfaces with disinfectant after use as appropriate.
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Please do not attend the retreat in person if you are ill and/or have any symptoms (COVID-related or not) that indicate a possible contagious illness.
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If procedural changes become necessary due to changes in pandemic guidelines, participants will be notified
Donation: The suggested donation for this retreat is a flat rate of $75 for members, $85 for others whether you are participating full or part time. For online participants, the suggested donation is $10-30 depending on your level of participation. If this amount presents a hardship, please contribute what is comfortable for you. If you are able to contribute an additional amount to help offset the cost of scholarships and retreat meals, it will be gratefully accepted.
Please register by Monday, September 26. Note that in the "Select an Event" dropdown menu on the registration form, you have the option of selecting Online (full or part time) or In Person (full or part time).
Please contact our retreat registrar, John Genshin Knewitz with any questions about the retreat.
