2023 Fall Sesshin at Sacred Waters

Wednesday, October 18, 2023 @5:00PM - Sunday, October 22 @2:30PM

Sesshin means "encounter with the heart." It is an intensive silent retreat centered on Zen meditation and guidance from a teacher. With consecutive days of focused and supported group practice, we can deepen our practice and open up to the core of our being. Space is limited, and priority is given to regular Sophia Zen Center practitioners and students of our guiding teacher, Maria Reis Habito.

Schedule:

A typical day starts at 6:30 AM and ends at 9:15 PM with the following schedule:

• 90 minutes of Zazen before breakfast
• Breakfast
• Zen chores
• 60-minute break
• Zen Talk (30 minutes)
• 90 Minutes of Zazen
• Lunch
• Rest for 2.5 hours
• Tea Ceremony (30 minutes)
• Zazen for 60 minutes
• 30-minute walk or rest
• Zazen for 30 minutes
• Dinner
• Break for 90 minutes
• Zazen for 90 minutes
• Chant Sutras
• Day ends at 9:15PM

1. Complete the application form by 9/18/23 at https://forms.gle/yctx3pK3QW1AyGsKA  Acceptance and declined applications will be communicated on Sept. 21. While we encourage new applicants, priority goes to those who sit regularly with the Sangha and are established students of Maria. 
2. Pay $255 to Sophia Zen Center. Make payment at PayPal , with this Venmo link, or Zelle (Sophiazencenter@gmail.com).  Notice you can use your credit or debit card via PayPal without a PayPal account. Enter a donation of $255 by clicking "other" and entering the amount. Further instructions are here. If you prefer to pay by check, send your check payable to Sophia Zen Center at 115 S Saint Peter St; South Bend, IN 46617. Or place check in the Dana box at the zendo.
3.  You may commute to Sacred Waters from home each day. If you want to sleep at the retreat center,  contact the owner of Sacred Waters, Joyce Hug, at jhug@michiana.org to arrange payment and reserve your sleeping spot - $20/night for a bed or $10/night for the floor. Sleeping space is limited. 

Meals are vegetarian with a vegan option. Report any dietary restrictions on the registration form.

Masks are optional.

Sacred Waters address: 16990 Douglas Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545. The phone number is 574-277-0034.

Questions? Contact John Petersen at SophiaZenCenter@gmail.com or 574-309-8370.

Space is limited. Registration closes on September 18th.

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