Sesshin Talks

Zen Meditation Retreat

A sesshin (接心, or also 摂心/攝心 literally "touching the heart-mind") is a period of intensive meditation (zazen) retreat in a Japanese Zen monastery, or in a Zen monastery or Zen center that belongs to one of the Japanese Zen traditions outside of Japan.

While the daily routine in the monastery requires the monks to meditate several hours a day, during a sesshin they devote themselves almost exclusively to zazen practice. The numerous 30- to 50-minute-long meditation periods are interleaved with short rest breaks, meals, and sometimes short periods of work (Japanese: 作務 samu) all performed with the same mindfulness; nightly sleep is kept to a minimum, at six hours or fewer. During the sesshin period, the meditation practice is occasionally interrupted by the master giving public talks (teisho) and individual direction in private meetings (which may be called dokusan, daisan, or sanzen) with a Zen Master.

In modern Buddhist practice in Japan and the West, sesshins are often attended by lay students and are typically one, three, five, or seven days in length. Seven-day sesshins are held several times a year at many Zen centers, especially in commemoration of the Buddha's awakening to full enlightenment (anuttarā-samyak-saṃbodhi). At this Rohatsu sesshin, practitioners seek to relax and quiet the mind to the point of cessation of mental chatter and emotional impulse, samadhi, kensho, or satori.

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Title	Speaker	Date
It Is Actually Buddha's Practice Sesshin,	Suzuki Roshi	Feb 20 1971 Tassajara
Not Sticking to Enlightenment Serial: SF-05445B ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #26, by Shundo David Haye ===== It's not completely clear how this talk dropped off the radar, as the tape had been copied and... Sesshin, Sixth Patriarch, Emptiness	Suzuki Roshi	Feb 12 1971 B City Center
Zazen Practice and Listen to the Right Teacher Serial: SF-05631 ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #24, by Shundo David Haye ===== In the last years of Suzuki Roshi's life, very few talks were lost from the collections... Sesshin, Dogen, Bodhidharma, Precepts, Bodhisattva Precepts, Observe, Precepts, Faith...	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 03 1970 City Center
Observation of Precepts and Practice of Zazen is Same Thing Serial: SF-06049 Sesshin Lecture No. 1 Saturday, August 1, 1970 San Francisco Sesshin, Precepts, Precepts, Doubt, Buddha Nature, Faith, Ceremony, Ordination, Lay,...	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 01 1970 City Center
Open Your Intuition Serial: SF-05587-B Sesshin Meeting Friday, July 31, 1970 San Francisco Sesshin, Intuition, Instruction, Beginners	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 31 1970 City Center
Way-Seeking Mind Serial: SF-05361 Saturday Lecture Of March Sesshin Saturday, March 28, 1970 San Francisco Way-Seeking Mind, Sesshin, Monastic Practice, Peace	Suzuki Roshi	Mar 28 1970 City Center
Sesshin, Third Night Lecture Serial: SR-00130 Tassajara September, 1969 Sesshin, Emptiness, reality, Passions, Intuition, Bell, Forms, American, difficulty...	Suzuki Roshi	Sep 1969 Tassajara
Stand Up By The Ground Serial: SF-05209 Protection Master "Suzuki Roshi summer sesshin 1969 2nd night lecture Sesshin, Second Night Lecture September, 1969 Tassajara Sesshin, Dogen, Time, Continuous Practice, Freedom, Doubt	Suzuki Roshi	Sep 1969 Tassajara
OLD - Shosan Ceremony Serial: SF-05347 Copy - tape 2 of 2 Suzuki Roshi Q&A ceremony - no date (Spring '68?) - copy of o/r 68-04-23 - duplicate Sesshin, Shosan, Right Effort, Emptiness, Interview	Suzuki Roshi	Apr 23 1968 B Tassajara
Shuso Ceremony Serial: SF-05779 SR-68-04-23-C (complete) Philip Wilson's shuso ceremony, followed by SR near end of side A - duplicate Sesshin, Shuso Ceremony, Big Mind, Gratitude, Commitment, Precepts, Faith	Katsuzen Philip Wilson	Apr 23 1968 C Tassajara
Because I Was Not Well Serial: SF-05143A SR023 Track 1 Suzuki Roshi's afternoon sesshin 4-23-68 copied [there are also photographs of hand-written notes on missing portions of Q&A - per tape operator's... Sesshin, Koan, Ordinary Mind, everyday mind, Faith, Composure, Doubt, Religion...	Suzuki Roshi	Apr 23 1968 A Tassajara
Shosan Ceremony Serial: SF-05143B SR023 Track 1 to 1/3 of other side Suzuki Roshi Question and Answer ceremony - copied 2 tapes [there are also photographs of hand-written notes on missing portions of Q&A... Sesshin, Shosan, Emptiness, Attachment, Hate, Faith, Interview, Enemies, Evil, Doubt...	Suzuki Roshi	Apr 23 1968 B Tassajara
Shuso Ceremony Serial: SF-05143C SR023 Last 2/3 side 2 Philip's discussion ceremony - copied 2 tapes [there are also photographs of hand-written notes on missing portions of Q&A - per tape operator... Sesshin, Shuso Ceremony, Big Mind, Bell, Bodhidharma, Gratitude, Buddha Nature,...	Suzuki Roshi, Philip Wilson	Apr 23 1968 C Tassajara
Shosan Ceremony Serial: SF-05985-A Shosan Ceremony, Sesshin, Feb 1968 Tassajara This ceremony is re-edited from the original cassette, with non-SR (Bishop Sumi) sections removed, and the speed... Shosan, Sesshin, First Principle, Beginner’s Mind, First Principle, Lotus Sutra,...	Suzuki Roshi	Feb 1968 Tassajara
Everything Itself Is Buddha Serial: SF-05140A SR20 - Reel #5 Suzuki track 1 - Roshi's lecture sesshin #7 12/6/67 Afternoon - copied (This audio is only the first part of the talk) Sesshin, Buddha Nature, Buddha Nature, Observe, Hate, Faith	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 06 1967 B Tassajara
Good and Bad Feeling Serial: SF-05141-A Tuesday, December 5, 1967 Afternoon Sesshin Lecture, Lecture A Tassajara Sesshin, Attachment, Discrimination, Separation, Liberation, Freedom, Doubt, Faith...	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 05 1967 A Tassajara
Nature of Our Practice Serial: SF-05141-B Tuesday, December 5, 1967, Lecture B Evening Sesshin Lecture Tassajara Sesshin, Dogen, Fukanzazengi, Dragons, Daily Life, Observe, Freedom, training,...	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 05 1967 B Tassajara
The More We Study Our Way, The More Difficult It Is To Explain It Serial: SF-05142 SR018 - Track 1 - Roshi's Lecture sesshin #4 12/4/67 Evening - copied Sesshin, Dogen, Observe, Ceremony	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 04 1967 Evening Tassajara
Think the Unthinkable Serial: SF-05137B ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #20, by Shundo David Haye ===== This talk comes from the middle of the second sesshin at Tassajara, in December... Sesshin, Fukanzazengi, Buddha Mind, training, Sanctuary, Beginners, Duality,...	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 04 1967 Afternoon Tassajara
Inner Power of Practice Serial: SF-05137A SR017 - Track 1 - slow - Roshi Lecture - 12/2/67 - afternoon - copied Sesshin, Blue Cliff Record, Concentration, Precepts, Monastic Practice, New Year,...	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 02 1967 Tassajara
Putting Power In Your Hara Serial: SF-05133-A Afternoon Sesshin Lecture Friday, December 1, 1967, Lecture A Zen Mountain Center Sesshin, Dogen, Fukanzazengi, Buddha Mind, Big Mind, Separation, New Year,...	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 01 1967 A Tassajara
True Practice Serial: SF-05133-B Evening Sesshin Lecture Friday Evening, December 1, 1967, Lecture B Zen Mountain Center Sesshin, Zuigan, Fox, Gratitude, Fox, Buddha Nature, Addiction, Discrimination,...	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 01 1967 B Tassajara
Shosan Ceremony August Sesshin, 1967 August 24, 1967 Tassajara [Opening sentences of Introduction missed.] Sesshin, Shosan,	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 24 1967 B Tassajara
Genjo Koan no 4 Serial: SF-05136 Track 1 17/8 - Suzuki lectures - beginning missed, one or two sentences; beginning: This is the last lecture of sesshin. We have talked of emptiness and form, but have not... Sesshin, Dogen, Genjokoan, Time, Faith, Emptiness, Continuous Practice, Dragons...	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 24 1967 A Tassajara
Reflections on the Prajna Paramita Sutra Serial: SF-05135A ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #19, by Shundo David Haye ===== This is the talk that was chosen by the... Sesshin, Sengai, Time, Emptiness, Ego, Continuous Practice, Evil, Nirvana,...	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 24 1967 Tassajara
Buddhism Is Not a Special Teaching; Enlightenment Is Not a Particular Stage Serial: SF-05134D ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #17, by Shundo David Haye ===== About half way through this sesshin talk, you can start to hear crickets in the background, getting... Sesshin, Dogen, Genjokoan, Enemies, Continuous Practice, Doubt, Religion, Peace...	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 23 1967 Tassajara
To Polish A Tile Is Our Practice Actually Serial: SF-05135B ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #18, by Shundo David Haye ===== Further to the date confusion and missing talks discussed last time, it seems that even Suzuki Roshi... Sesshin, Prajna Paramita, Shobogenzo, Discrimination, Silence	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 23 1967 Tassajara
Genjo Koan no 2 Serial: SF-05134C ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #16, by Shundo David Haye ===== This third talk from the historic inaugural sesshin at Tassajara in 1967, given the day after the... Sesshin, Dogen, Priest, Emptiness, Dragons, confusion, Hate	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 21 1967 Tassajara
Genjo Koan Serial: SF-05134A ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #14, by Shundo David Haye ===== The acquisition of Tassajara in 1967 was a huge leap for Zen Center. Suzuki Roshi had long been... Genjokoan, Dogen, Sesshin, Emptiness, New Year, Interview, Freedom	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 20 1967 Morning Tassajara
When You Have A New Experience Serial: SF-05134B ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #15, by Shundo David Haye ===== This talk was given later on the same day of the first Tassajara sesshin as the last one discussed (... Sesshin, Faith, Doubt	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 20 1967 Evening Tassajara
This Sesshin Was Wonderfully Done Serial: SF-05100-C Saturday, April 22, 1967 Sesshin Lecture B San Francisco Sesshin, Priest, Evil, Doubt, training	Suzuki Roshi	Apr 22 1967 B Sokoji
In the first instruction of ten instructions in Gakudō-yōjin-shū Sesshin, Dogen, Shobogenzo, Sixth Patriarch, Platform Sutra, training, Instruction,...	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 17 1966 A Sokoji
The Need for Training in Buddhism without Self-Seeking Mind Serial: SF-05121B Original recording Sesshin, Dogen, training, Buddha Nature, Hate, Observe, Instruction, Doubt	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 17 1966 B Sokoji
Blue Cliff Records Case 45 Serial: SF-05097-E Friday, August 19, 1966 Sesshin Lecture: Friday Evening, Lecture D Sokoji, San Francisco Blue Cliff Record, Sesshin, Joshu, Eiheiji, Observe, Diversity, Duality	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 19 1966 D Sokoji
OLD - Blue Cliff Records Case 45 Serial: SF-05097E Sesshin Lecture 1966 Tape #2 Track 3 Suzuki 7:30pm lecture Friday night ending sesshin Sesshin, Blue Cliff Record, Eiheiji, Joshu, Duality, Observe	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 19 1966 D Sokoji
This Fascicle of Shobogenzo Serial: SF-05097-F Sesshin Lecture 1966 Tape #2 Track 2: Suzuki 1pm lecture Friday Sesshin, Dogen, Shobogenzo, Blue Cliff Record, Attachment, Instruction, Freedom,...	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 19 1966 C Sokoji
Don't Be Attached To Your Attainment Serial: SF-05097-H Sesshin Lecture 1966 Tape #2 Track 4 Friday lecture by Suzuki during morning zazen Friday Sesshin, Instruction, Attachment	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 19 1966 B Sokoji
Shōbōgenzō Serial: SF-05093-F Thursday, August 18, 1966 SESSHIN LECTURE: Thursday, 1:00 pm, Lecture B Sokoji, San Francisco Sesshin, Buddha Mind, Birth-and-Death, Dana, Fasting, Interdependence	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 18 1966 B Sokoji
This is the Fourth Day of our Sesshin Serial: SF-05097-C Reconstruction of Lecture from Second Zazen Period (Before Morning Service) Thursday Morning, August 18, 1966, Lecture A Sokoji, San Francisco [This tape... Sesshin, Suzuki Roshi	Zentatsu Richard Baker	Aug 18 1966 A Sokoji
OLD - This is the Fourth Day of our Sesshin Serial: SF-05097C Sesshin Lecture 1966 Tape #2 ; Track 1 My reconstruction from memory and notes of Suzuki Roshi's beautiful lecture Thursday morning during 2nd period of zazen before morning... Sesshin, Suzuki Roshi	Zentatsu Richard Baker	Aug 18 1966 A Sokoji
Shobogenzo Serial: SF-05097-D Sesshin Lecture 1966 Tape #2 Track 1 contd: Most of Suzuki's 6pm Lecture, Thursday evening continued on track 4 Track 4 continuation and finish of 6pm lecture of... Sesshin, Sixth Patriarch, Dogen, Subject-and-Object, Attachment, Buddha Nature,...	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 18 1966 C Sokoji
Causality Serial: SF-05093-J Suzuki lecture 6pm Weds Track 2, continued on Track 3 Sesshin, Time, Freedom, Happiness, Fox, Oneness, Enemies, Offering, Evil, Lay...	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 17 1966 6:00pm Sokoji
Our Mind Should Be Calm Serial: SF-05093-L Tuesday, August 16, 1966 Sesshin: Zazen short instruction Sokoji, San Francisco Sesshin, Instruction,	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 16 1966 Sokoji
The first day of the sesshin is almost finished Serial: SF-05093-K Monday, August 15, 1966 Sesshin: Evening Lecture, Lecture D Sokoji, San Francisco Sesshin, Freedom, causation, Composure, Posture	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 15 1966 D Sokoji
You Cannot Appreciate Our Teaching In Its True Sense Serial: SF-05093-B Monday, August 15, 1966 Sesshin: Lunch Lecture, Lecture B Sokoji, San Francisco Sesshin, Oryoki, Instruction,	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 15 1966 B Sokoji
Think Everything Out Serial: SF-05093-C Monday, August 15, 1966, Lecture C Sokoji, San Francisco Sesshin, causation, Attachment, Hate, Intuition, Concentration, Evil, Instruction,...	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 15 1966 C Sokoji
Talk on Shobogenzo Serial: SF-05111B Other Japanese lecture [case replaced 12/95. Case notes transcribed verbatim] Sesshin, Happiness	Unknown	Aug 15 1966 B Sokoji
Genjo Koan Serial: SF-05111C This is the bulk of the talk attributed to this date. It sounds distinct from the earlier fragment, and the date may not be accurate, though the subject is appropriate for the... Sesshin, Attachment, Instruction, Freedom, Doubt	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 15 1966 C Sokoji
We Are Not Perfect Serial: SF-05080-A Sesshin talk. At the beginning, Suzuki Roshi is drawing from Dogen's "Bodhisattva's Four Methods of Guidance." The methods are also in Shushogi. Sesshin, Bodhisattva, Shushogi, Happiness, Enemies	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 23 1966 Sokoji
Sesshin Lecture: Genjo-Koan, Paragraphs 1–2 Serial: SF-05096-B May Sesshin (25 26 added later) 1 or 6pm lecture plus lecture the following morning. SR 009 Sesshin, Dogen, Genjokoan, Precepts, Mahayana, Freedom, Observe, Balance, Attachment...	Suzuki Roshi	May 26 1966 Sokoji

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