Notice: We are sad to announce that due to the current Covid-19 pandemic situation we have made the difficult decision not to hold Loon Lake sesshin in-person. We will offer a somewhat modified online sesshin, open to all to whatever extent you can participate. Please see below for details and registration.
Sesshin—a deep immersion in the ancient Way of Zen
Sesshin means "touching the heart/mind". Since the time of the Buddha practitioners have gathered in community during the rainy season to deepen their practice and touch the true nature of Mind. This year we will be unable to gather in-person at Loon Lake because of the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. However we have planned a modified online sesshin which we hope will support participants to create a sesshin experience at home, in community with others doing so at the same time. Everyone is welcome to attend to whatever extent your life circumstances permit.
Please join the Mountain Rain sangha, guiding teachers Myoshin Kate McCandless and Shinmon Michael Newton and shuso Kakuko Kaye Simard for this six-day online retreat on Zoom. For more information on our teachers click Teachers.
The Schedule
For a PDF of the sesshin schedule click Here.
For this year’s online-only sesshin, we have modified the typical sesshin schedule to be more manageable for those practicing at home. The daily schedule includes:
Zazen: sitting meditation (approximately 8 30-min. periods per day)
Kinhin: walking meditation
In-person practice at the Wall St. zendo 7:00-9:00 Monday-Saturday using our sign-up system. Evening talks will be Zoomed in. Sign-up Here.
Morning dharma talks daily by MRZC guiding teachers.
Morning, Noon and Evening chanting services.
Wednesday noon will be a well-being service. To submit names to be chanted in the dedication please click Here.
Friday evening will be a memorial service. To submit names to be chanted in the dedication please click Here.
Informal Evening talks during final zazen period:
Monday: Myoshin Kate McCandless
Tuesday: MRZC Founding Teacher Zoketsu Norman Fischer
Wednesday: Shinmon Michael Newton
Thursday: Shinmon Michael Newton
Friday: shuso.Kakuko Kaye Simard
Saturday: Myoshin Kate McCandless
Dokusan: individual meetings with teachers Dokusan sign-up click Here.
Silent, mindful meals. We encourage online participants to prepare and eat their meals mindfully and in silence, to the extent that your living circumstances permit. For a PDF of the Meal chants click Here.
We encourage online participants to incorporate a period of work practice into their day. Work practice is a way to extend mindfulness into everyday life and activities.
Afternoon community practice events. This sesshin will be a bit unconventional in including options for community practice events, to support the connection we are missing on Zoom. These are ways to extend your sesshin practice beyond your zazen practice into cooking, eating, walking outdoors, and cycling.
Monday: Introduction to Oryoki practice with Nin-en Susan Elbe and Joko Claire Talbot
Tuesday: Silent Bird Walk with Nin-en Susan Elbe Details
Thursday: Bicycle Buddha Ride with Roshin Carmen Mills Details
Meditation Experience
We will schedule an online orientation for those who are new to meditation or to Zen practice. The time will be posted soon.
Dana (Donations to the teachers)
Retreat fees cover expenses only. Dana (donations) to the teachers can be made by e-transfer, Paypal or cheque.
If you have questions or concerns, contact the registrar at registrar@mountainrainzen.org.
Registration—online participants
Online attendance is by sliding scale based on your means and level of participation. We welcome everyone to join us for as much of the sesshin as you are able to attend. Online participants will receive an email with Zoom link, schedule and guidelines.
Zoom Link
Loon Lake Sesshin
Nov 9, 2020 06:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada) to Nov. 15, 2020, 12:15 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85902416686?pwd=OTF0QzBqQXBGQ1p6RjA2Uy90bGhYdz09
Meeting ID: 859 0241 6686
Passcode: 825990
One tap mobile
+15873281099,,85902416686#,,,,,,0#,,825990# Canada
+16473744685,,85902416686#,,,,,,0#,,825990# Canada
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbUjPSQLVR
