Spring 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.

Our Spring Nature Sesshin begins Thursday evening, March 7 and will conclude Sunday, March 10, with our regular Jikoji Sunday Program. Buffet meals are included. You are welcome to come for all or any part of the event, 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. March mornings can be quite chilly, but the days will warm up significantly. Whatever the weather happens to be, rain or shine, even some frost, 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 in layers is advised. You may wish to bring a hat and insect repellent.

Additional Preparation: 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 (Thursday March 7, Friday March 8, and Saturday March 9), if desired, need to be booked separately on our Reservations page. Camp sites are 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.)

THURSDAY

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
5:00 WAKE-UP
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 WAKE-UP
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