Sesshin (7-day silent retreat)

Sesshin offers a unique opportunity to deepen your practice in a supportive atmosphere and to contribute to others doing so as well. Sesshin is conducted in disciplined silence, with every aspect of the day geared towards focusing single-mindedly on the present moment. Dokusan (one-to-one instruction with the teacher) is offered three times a day, and voluntary sitting, outside of the formal rounds, is encouraged. 

  • Prior zazen experience is required for sesshin. If you have not sat before with the AZC, attendance at an Introductory Workshop (and at weekly sittings if you live in Auckland) may be required.
  • Part time attendence at sesshin (two days or four days) is possible. Please discuss options with Sensei, especially if you have not been on sesshin before.
Sesshin Dates 

2020:
Friday 21 - Wednesday 26 August 2020, Winter 5-Day Sesshin, moved online due to COVID-19. 
Our planned August sesshin is not going ahead in-person, but a five day online sesshin will start on Friday 21 August. Applications close Wednesday 19 August for people wanting to formally take part in this Zoom-based sesshin (more details here).  Apply here. 

2021:
Friday 8 - Friday 15 January 2021, Summer 7-Day Sesshin, Bella Rakha
Friday 30 July - Friday 6 August, Winter 7-Day Sesshin, Bella Rakha

2022:
Friday 7 - Friday 14 January 2022, Summer 7-Day Sesshin, Bella Rakha
Friday 15 - Friday 22 July 2022, Winter 7-Day Sesshin, Bella Rakha


Fees and other information
  • Fee for 7-day sesshins at Bella Rakha: 
    • Attending the whole sesshin:
      • supporting member: $665 waged , $560 unwaged
      • non-member: $735 waged , $630 unwaged
    • Attending one or more full days: 
      • supporting member $95/day waged , $80/day unwaged
      • non-member $105/day waged , $90/day unwaged
    • Attending a section:
      • supporting member $30/section waged , $25/section unwaged
      • non-member $32/section waged , $27/section unwaged
  • Payment is due in full before the start of sesshin unless special arrangements have been made.
  • The deadline for applications is two weeks prior to the sesshin start date. 
Please email the Centre manager (info@aucklandzen.org.nz) if you have questions.

Application

Emergency Contact Information

What to Bring

Typical Sesshin Schedule



Privacy Statement

If you become a member or participate in Centre activities like workshops or sesshins (retreats), we will collect personal information from you, including your:

  • name
  • contact details
  • interactions with us (e.g. workshops attended, donations made)
  • emergency contact / next of kin
  • health information and allergies
We collect this personal information in order to:
  • Stay in touch with participants about Centre activities (you can always choose what emails you receive and can unsubscribe at any time)
  • Keep retreat participants safe if they have health issues and respond effectively if an emergency did arise on retreat or at the Centre
  • Contact family in an emergency
We will not use your information for any other purpose and we will not share it with any other organization. Providing this information is optional. 
If you choose not to enter health information on sesshin (retreat) applications, we may not be able to look after you as well during sesshin.
If you choose not to enter emergency contact details, we'll be unable to respond as effectively if an emergency did occur on sesshin or at the Centre.

We keep your information safe by storing it securely and only allowing appropriate staff to access it. We do not keep it for any longer than needed. 
You have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, please contact us at info@aucklandzen.org.nz, or 09 550 4383 (office), or 52 Princes St, Onehunga, Auckland.