Retreats

Upcoming Retreat! Getting a bit late, so sign up quickly!

Dogen Sangha London Swindon Retreat 2023: We’re happy to announce we’re having a three day retreat 16-19 March 2023 at Lower Shaw Farm, Swindon. The retreat starts the evening of Thursday the 16th and ends mid-afternoon on Sunday 19th.  The sesshin will be led by those of us who convene Dogen Sangha groups. Everyone is welcome who wishes to deepen their practice in a welcoming and supportive atmosphere and get to know other members of the sangha!

We’re usually full up at this retreat, so please let me know as soon as you can if you’d like to come. We need to be a minimum of 10 people. We therefore encourage you not to cancel unless you have to and take advantage of this opportunity to sit together.

Here are some details:

Dates: Thursday 16/03/23 (6pm) to Sunday 19/03/23 (3:30pm)

Venue: Lower Shaw Farm, Swindon (map)

Cost: £225 – A deposit of £50 secures your place; balance to be paid in advance in January.

Numbers: 15

Accommodation: Single rooms. Bedding is supplied. 

Food: vegetarian food will be provided by our hosts. Vegan and special diets can be catered for with notice. Meals are taken formally, in silence, with a brief chant before and afterwards. We will take turns serving meals and washing up.

Schedule: a full day’s schedule looks like this (subject to tweaking):

6:20 Wake-up bell
7:00-7:40 Zazen
8:00-9:00 Breakfast
9:00-9:50 Samu (work practice in the grounds or kitchen)
10:00-11:00 Zazen-kinhin-zazen
11:00-11:20 Coffee break
11:20-12:20 Talk and discussion
12:30-1:00 Zazen
1:15-2:15 Lunch
2:15-4:00 Free time
4:00-5:00 Zazen-kinhin-zazen
5:00-5:15 Coffee break
5:15-6:15 Talk and discussion
6:30-7:00 Zazen
7:15-8:15 Supper
8:15-9:00 Free time
9:00-9:30 Zazen

This is not a silent retreat, but if you prefer to keep quiet you are very welcome to do so. In general, you can expect the kind of friendly atmosphere of our sittings in London, with some more formal elements

To sign up, contact: trvmorgan@gmail.com

GENRAL SESSHIN (RETREAT) ARRANGEMENTS:

Dogen Sangha retreats (or ‘sesshin’) usually start on a Thursday and finish the following Sunday. This is a typical programme:

Thursday evening
6:00 – 7:00   Arrive
7:15 – 8:00   Supper
8:45      Opening Ceremony
9:00 – 9:30    Zazen

Friday & Saturday
6:00     Wake-up call
7:00 – 7:40    Zazen
8:00 – 9.00    Breakfast
9.00 – 9.50    Samu/Rakusu Workshop
10:00 – 11.00   Zazen – Kinhin – Zazen
11:00 – 11:20  Coffee break
11:20 – 12:20   Talk and discussion
12:30 – 1:00    Zazen
1:15 – 2:15     Lunch
2:15 – 4.00     Free time
4:00 – 5:00     Zazen – Kinhin – Zazen
5:00 – 5:15   Coffee break
5:15 – 6:15    Talk and discussion
6:30 – 7:00    Zazen
7:15 – 8:15    Supper
8:15 – 9:00     Free time
9:00 – 9:30    Zazen

Sunday
6:00    Wake-up call
7:00 – 7:40    Zazen
8:00 – 9.00    Breakfast
9.00 – 9.50    Samu/Rakusu Workshop
10:00 – 11:00   Zazen – Kinhin – Zazen
11:00 – 11:20  Coffee break
11:20 – 12:20   Talk and discussion
12:30 – 1:00    Zazen
1:15 – 2:15     Lunch
2:15- 2:45      Free time
2:45 – 3.15    Zazen – Closing Ceremony
3:15 – 3:45   Packing up & cleaning

Retreat Pictures