Sesshin

What is Sesshin?

A Sesshin is a period of intense meditation (zazen) held over two to seven days.  Sesshins are typically done in silence and seclusion and offer people the opportunity to focus solely on their practice without outside disturbances.  About ten hours of formal zazen is performed each day, and more is encouraged.  We host 3 Sesshins each year. 

At the Madison Zen Center, our 2-day sesshins begin on Friday evening and ends midday on Sunday. The schedule includes periods of seated and walking meditation (zazen and kinhin), chanting, work practice, meals in silence, and opportunities for dokusan (private meetings with the teacher)

Whether you’re new to Zen or a longtime practitioner, sesshin can be a powerful space for deepening your practice.

Full-Time and Part-Time Attendance

Full-time attendance allows for the deepest immersion, but we understand that not everyone can attend an entire weekend. You’re welcome to participate part-time. Please plan your arrival and departure during breaks between scheduled activities (such as during walking meditation or rest periods). 

Register

To join an upcoming sesshin, please fill out the registration form:

After you register, you’ll receive an email confirming your acceptance (or notifying you if you’ve been waitlisted). That email will include:

• The full schedule
• Guidelines for participation
• What to bring and how to prepare

Payment

The fee for participation in a full 2-day Sesshin is $100 for members and $130 for non-members. For one day of a Sesshin, it is $50 for members and $65 for non-members. For part time participants, the fee is $14 per section per day. 

Payments can be made online, by check (payable to Madison Zen Center), or in cash when you arrive.

Sesshin Schedule

First Night
7:15 PM	Dokusan review
7:35	Sesshin guidelines
7:55	Warning Bell
8:00 ish	Zazen
9:20	End of formal zazen
9:40	Tea and fruit available in the kitchen
First Day
5:`10 AM	Wake-up bell
5:25	Outdoor kinhin
5:45	Zazen; dokusan
7:00	Breakfast
7:20	Work Period
8:25	Bell ending work period; rest period
9:30	Zazen
10:15	Teisho
12:30 PM	Lunch; rest period
1:30	Zazen; dokusan
3:30	Chanting
3:50	Exercise period in zendo
4:40	Zazen
5:15	Dinner; rest period
7:00	Zazen; rest period
9:30	End of formal zazen
9:40	Tea and fruit available in the kitchen
Last Day
4:10 AM	Wake-up bell
4:25	Outdoor kinhin
4:45	Zazen; chanting; dokusan
Rest of schedule through dharma talk	Same as first day
After teisho	Zazen; final dokusan
1:00 PM (approx.)	Closing words; lunch

Additional Information