Nature Sesshin
Led by Eric Remington & Doug Jacobson
We invite you to find stillness in the woods that cradle our temple. Our schedule features several outdoor excursions along our paths, alternating with periods of zazen and walking meditation, and a tea and Dharma discussion.
Jikoji's Eric Remington introduces us to a wider field of sensory perception, to insights findable only outdoors. Eric, an early student of Jikoji founder Kobun Chino Otogawa and an ordained priest in Kobun's lineage, knows our landscape as few do. He'll consider what Kobun meant by his instructions for Jikoji -- "Don't turn the country into the city" -- and what that means in terms of caring for this fragile planet of ours, and our Bodhisattva vow to save all sentient beings. Eric will also read and discuss passages from his new book of poetry, "The Soft Rain of Solitude: How a Field Biologist Works." All registrants will receive a copy.
Nature Sesshin begins Wednesday evening, November 7, and will conclude Sunday, November 11, with our regular Jikoji Sunday Program, where Eric will be giving the Dharma Talk. Buffet meals are included. You are welcome to come for all or any part of the weekend, participating in the schedule as you wish. Our zendos are always open. Please see below for the complete schedule.
PREPARATION: The weather at Jikoji can vary greatly over the course of a day. November mornings will likely be cold, but the days can sometimes warm up significantly. Whatever the weather happens to be, rain or shine, shouldn't affect our weekend. But please keep weather variability in mind when preparing for your visit. Eric suggests wearing shoes suitable for walking in the country, and dressing for the weather. You may wish to bring a hat and insect repellent.
Additional Perparation: Our First Saturdays Zazenkai is a 1-day retreat, and a wonderful way to get a taste of what a multi-day sesshin (retreat) is like. Please see here for more information.
COST: This Nature Sesshin retreat has no registration fee for day attendance and is freely offered, although dana (donations) are always appreciated.
Overnight guest accommodations (Wednesday November 7, Thursday November 8, Friday November 9, and Saturday November 10), if desired, need to be booked separately on our Reservations page. Camp sites available, too!
ABOUT ERIC
Eric Remington was an early student of Kobun, Jikoji's Founder, in the early 1970s. After years spent studying with Kobun and founding a school for children, Eric was ordained and subsequently trained at Tassajara Monastery for a year. He became a biologist and naturalist before living for several years in the desert, and recently joining Jikoji as a Resident.
OUR SCHEDULE
(Schedule is subject to minor change.)
WEDNESDAY
6:00 dinner
7:00 zazen
7:40 kinhin
7:50 zazen
8:20 Introduction
8:50 9 bows
THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY
5:00 WAKEUP
5:30 walk to ridge
5:45 zazen on ridge
6:45 return to Jikoji
7:00 zazen
7:40 kinhin
7:50 breakfast
9:00 zazen
9:40 kinhin
9:50 zazen
10:30 kinhin
10:40 zazen
11:20 kinhin
11:30 zazen
12:00 Lunch
1:40 zazen
2:20 kinhin
2:30 zazen
3:10 kinhin
3:20 zazen
4:00 walk to ridge
4:15 zazen on ridge
5:00 return to Jikoji
5:15 Dinner
7:00 zazen
7:40 kinhin
7:50 zazen
8:30 kinhin
8:40 9 bows
SUNDAY
5:00 WAKEUP
5:30 walk to ridge
5:45 zazen on ridge
6:45 return to Jikoji
7:00 zazen
7:40 closing remarks
8:00 breakfast
10:00 zazen (joining our regular Sunday Program)
10:40 kinhin
10:50 zazen
11:20 SERVICE
11:40 DHARMA TALK
12:30 Sunday Program Lunch