[clearsky] Open Sesshin - March 1st, 12 - 3 pm

[Holly Holmes]

Dear Clear Sky Zen-ers,

For the first time in several years, Clear Sky Zen
would like to offer a sesshin. It will be held on
Saturday, March 1st from noon - 3 pm in the West Lobby
of the Wesley Foundation.

A sesshin (攝心), literally "gathering the
mind", is a period of intensive meditation (zazen). A
typical sesshin is devoted almost exclusively to
meditation practice interspersed with short rests,
meals and sometimes short periods of work, or samu,
which is to be performed with the same mindfulness
achieved during zazen.

Since many of us haven't sat much longer than an hour
or so at a time, our sesshin will be on a more open
timetable as compared to most. We will begin at noon
with our traditional ceremony, but once seated in
meditation, sitters are welcome to rest, perform
kinhin (walking meditation) or samu (in our case, read
or do homework!) whenever they please between noon - 3
pm.

Cushions will be arranged to accommodate sitting and
walking meditations simultaneously and tables and
chairs will be available for those that would like to
do homework in between sittings. Silence will be
encouraged throughout. Participants are not
required to be present for the entire three hours but
may quietly come and go as necessary.

If this event is successful, we plan to host an
all-day sesshin (including lunch!) the Saturday and/or
Sunday before finals week so that members can find a
peaceful environment in which to study, meditate and
de-stress.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please let
us know!

Best,

Holly

Holly Holmes
holly at hollyholmes.com
217.474.5401
www.hollyholmes.com
www.myspace.com/hollyholmes
www.sonicbids.com/hollyholmes


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