Spring Sesshin

Another sesshin for the books! This year, 27 of us gathered at Oral Hull to complete a 5-day residential meditation retreat lead by our teacher, Domyo. We were also joined by a few folks globally over zoom. Lastly, it is especially sweet to note that we had several long-distance sangha members fly in from out of town to participate. We are always so pleased for the rare opportunity to practice with them in person.

This was our fourth year at this retreat center and it felt great to be back. Spring provides us with a wide range of weather possibilities, and this year we enjoyed a balance of rain and sun. Oral Hull is located outside of Sandy, Oregon. The grounds are gorgeous and even provide access to the Sandy River. We were surrounded by gardens, forest, pastures, and a view of the peak of Mt. Hood.

Sesshin is a rich experience that provides us the opportunity to sit lots of zazen together, eat oryoki style, listen to daily dharma talks, and sit sanzen (private 1-on-1 practice discussions with a teacher). This year was unique because we held a Shosan ceremony on the last evening. Shosan is a question and answer ceremony, where participants had the opportunity to ask Domyo a question related to our practice or the dharma, and she gave us a pithy, yet deeply meaningful response.

Upon closing, many participants remarked on the powerful experience of sesshin and how it has deepened our sense of community, even for those who had never sat with us before. Our next retreat at Oral Hull will happen April 2027 and we are looking forward to returning to our home away from home for another precious retreat.

Spring Sesshin – April 23-28, 2024

Domyo offered Teisho during Sesshin. “Tei” means to offer or put forth, and “sho” means to recite or proclaim. Teisho are sometimes called “encouragement talks,” and they are meant to help listeners connect with the Dharma in spaciousness and silence of zazen. Teisho are not about explanations or the imparting of information, and they generally not recorded. They are offered spontaneously, just for the moment, just for those listening.

Our sesshin teisho were not recorded, but Domyo offers one inspired by our sesshin on her Zen Studies Podcast. Click here to listen. 

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Last weekend, the Sangha came together for a One Day Retreat. We had 11 people in the Dirt Zendo and about 17 involved in the Cloud Zendo throughout the day.

During the retreat we pay mindful attention throughout the day to our meditation, our breath, chanting, silent work, and silent meal. We slow down, but in the midst of discipline, our minds and bodies have a chance to catch up with each other.

This time, during work practice we spent time taking care of the building both inside and outside.

At the end of the day there was Mondo which is a formal question-and-answer ceremony. People take turns presenting short verses from a shared study text, and responding to questions from those present. The presenter aims to remain centered in their own truth without getting drawn into intellectualizing or self-doubt, and the questioners aim to more fully understand the truth being presented. Mondo practice can help us get to know one another better, and can help the presenter clarify the strengths as well as the edges of their own understanding.

This time there were five who presented mondo verses – three in Dirt Zendo and two in Cloud Zendo. It was the first time having Cloud Zendo presenters, and it went very well!

The next One Day Retreat will be Saturday, October 26th. We hope you will join us!

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