New Year’s Sesshin

People of all faith traditions who seek to deepen their experience of reality through the practice of Contemplative and Zen meditation are invited to join us for this silent meditation weekend retreat. Beginners and experienced meditators are welcome.

We will use online technology to conduct a virtual gathering in which we can practice Zen “alone together.” Of course, we would all prefer to sit in a proper meditation hall (zendo) and benefit from the physical presence of others, but in today’s circumstances, let us use the tools that technological innovation has so brilliantly provided.

The sesshin prescribes nearly seven hours of silent meditation per day and includes dharma talks (teisho) by and private meetings (dokusan) with Tony Tackitt, the authorized Zen teacher who will lead the gathering.

We will open with an evening of welcome and orientation to the online platform, with a focus on the mechanics of the online dokusan procedure. The next two days of sitting will allow for regular walking meditation periods (kinhin), plus breaks for rest, meals, and time spent outdoors in nature, at your own discretion. We will also experience Zen Buddhist chanting, led by a member of the sesshin staff, which you can follow silently or aloud in your own meditation setting.

This Zen sesshin can become an inspiring spiritual experience for everyone, regardless of your religious affiliation. The days of silence and concentrated meditation will allow you to connect with your own inner being and with what Zen practitioners know as your True Nature. It is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.

Tony Tackitt is a Zen teacher. He makes his home in Amarillo, Texas, with his wife Lisa and son Ian.  He began as a Zen student with Pat Hawk Roshi from 1992 to 1998, and he became a Zen student with Fr. Greg Mayers Roshi in 1998, focusing on koan study. Tony began teaching Zen in 2016, and in 2019 received full transmission as an Authentic Zen Master in the Empty Cloud lineage of Willigis Jäger, Roshi, OSB.

Through Zen practice, Tony has learned that all of his previous existential questions just didn’t seem to be ‘problems’ anymore. Although the practice of Zen doesn’t specifically ‘do’ anything at all, there can be a sense of liberation and freedom from convention that is associated with the practice. When the heart and mind are bending more towards silence, and one is listening without trying to make things any different than they are, there’s a kind of opening and renewal.

Then we can see what is true about life, and it is that truth, that vision, that brings us freedom.

CONTACT
For further assistance, contact us at (650) 340-7474 or mc@sistersofmercy.org
For more information visit: www.mercy-center.org

These are unprecedented times. If finances are an issue, please fill out a learning grant form here for a grant. We want to make sure our offerings are available to everyone.

CANCELLATIONS / REFUNDS
The cancellation policy for Mercy Center Burlingame depends upon several factors including the type of program and duration of stay. Generally, the cancellation policy is a 50% forfeiture of payment if cancelled within 1 week or less of the program start date. Cancellation fees set forth in any specific program description supersedes any terms set forth in this general cancellation policy description.