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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
Shobogenzo Serial: SF-05097D 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
Shōbōgenzō Serial: SF-05093F 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-05097C Reconstruction of Lecture from Second Zazen Period (Before Morning Service) Thursday Morning, August 18, 1966, Lecture A Sokoji, San Francisco [This tape is... Sesshin, Suzuki Roshi	Zentatsu Richard Baker	Aug 18 1966 A Sokoji
Causality Serial: SF-05093J 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-05093L 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-05093K Monday, August 15, 1966 Sesshin: Evening Lecture, Lecture D Sokoji, San Francisco Sesshin, Freedom, causation, Composure, Posture	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 15 1966 D Sokoji
Think Everything Out Serial: SF-05093C Monday, August 15, 1966, Lecture C Sokoji, San Francisco Sesshin, causation, Attachment, Hate, Intuition, Concentration, Evil, Instruction,...	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 15 1966 C 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
Talk on Shobogenzo Serial: SF-05111B Other Japanese lecture [case replaced 12/95. Case notes transcribed verbatim] Sesshin, Happiness	Katagiri Roshi	Aug 15 1966 B Sokoji
You Cannot Appreciate Our Teaching In Its True Sense Serial: SF-05093B Monday, August 15, 1966 Sesshin: Lunch Lecture, Lecture B Sokoji, San Francisco Sesshin, Oryoki, Instruction, Discrimination, japanese	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 15 1966 B Sokoji
We Are Not Perfect Serial: SF-05080A 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-05096B 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
Liberty and Restriction Serial: SF-05116A March sesshin, only 1pm lecture. Evening lecture goofed up during recording. SR 007 Saturday, March 26, 1966 Sesshin, Balance, Freedom, Doubt, Faith, Ceremony	Suzuki Roshi	Mar 26 1966 BN Sokoji
Real Calmness Is In A Noisy Place Serial: SF-05116B ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #12, by Shundo David Haye ===== This talk is another example of a track that was somehow overlooked for many years, while... Sesshin, Shobogenzo, Beginner’s Mind, Beginners, Ego, Silence, Hate, Doubt	Suzuki Roshi	Mar 26 1966 Sokoji
Genjō Kōan, 1–3 Serial: SF-05095C Sesshin Lecture: Genjo-Koan, Paragraphs 1–3 Sunday Morning, March 13, 1966, Lecture A Sokoji, San Francisco Sesshin, Dogen, Genjokoan, Duality, Faith, Buddha Nature, Attachment, Discrimination...	Suzuki Roshi	Mar 13 1966 A Sokoji
Shushōgi, Section 1 Serial: SF-05095B Sesshin Lecture: SHUSHOGI, Section 1 Sunday, March 13, 1966, Lecture B Sokoji, San Francisco Tape operator's comments and short service at beginning of... Sesshin, Dogen, Shushogi, Attachment, Balance	Suzuki Roshi	Mar 13 1966 B Sokoji
Tokusan and The Old Lady Serial: SF-05114C ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #10, by Shundo David Haye ===== This is another track from the same problematic reel as the previous two talks in this series.... Sesshin, Diamond Sutra, Balance, training, Religion	Suzuki Roshi	Feb 19 1966 1:00pm Sokoji
To Study The Self Sesshin, Dogen, Genjokoan, Bell, training, Faith	Suzuki Roshi	Feb 19 1966 pm Sokoji
Where There is Some Limitation, There is Universality Serial: SF-05114B ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #9, by Shundo David Haye ===== This talk is found on the same reel as the one previously discussed (https://suzukiroshi.engagewisdom.... Sesshin, Dogen, Buddha Nature, Faith, Evil, confusion, Freedom, Doubt	Suzuki Roshi	Feb 18 1966 Sokoji
Shushōgi, Sections 11–17 Serial: SF-05113A January Sesshin Lecture: Lecture A ,1 PM Shushogi: Sections 11–17 Friday, January 21, 1966 Sokoji, San Francisco Sesshin, Precepts, Shushogi, Precepts, Subject-and-Object, Happiness, Priest,...	Suzuki Roshi	Jan 21 1966 A Sokoji
Buddhism Has Many Annual Layers Like A Big Tree Serial: SF-05124B One-Day Sesshin Evening Lecture Saturday, December 11, 1965, Lecture B Sokoji, San Francisco Sesshin, Precepts, Precepts, Three Treasures, Observe, Doubt, Composure, Priest,...	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 11 1965 B Sokoji
Most Of You Are Beginners Serial: SF-05124D One-Day Sesshin Afternoon Lecture Saturday, December 11, 1965, Lecture A Sokoji, San Francisco Sesshin, Sixth Patriarch, Dogen, Precepts, Precepts, Observe, Beginners, Enemies,...	Suzuki Roshi	Dec 11 1965 A Sokoji
Chanting Service Sesshin, Chanting, Bell	Group	Dec 11 1965 Sokoji
Buddhism is Very Philosophical, and Sometimes Intellectual and Logical Serial: 65-11-00-A One-Day Sesshin Lectures November, 1965 (Wind Bell, Jan.–Feb. 1966) - this was held on 13th per previous Wind Bells. Early Afternoon Lecture Sesshin,	Suzuki Roshi	Nov 13 1965 A Sokoji
You Have Made Great Progress Serial: 65-11-00-B One-Day Evening Sesshin Lecture November 1965 (Wind Bell, Jan.–Feb. 1966) - this was held on 13th per previous Wind Bells. Sesshin,	Suzuki Roshi	Nov 13 1965 B Sokoji
Kinhin Instruction Sesshin,	Suzuki Roshi	Oct 16 1965 K Sokoji
It Is A Great Joy To Practice Sesshin With You In This Way Serial: 65-10-16-A October Sesshin Lecture October 16, 1965 (Wind Bell, Nov.–Dec. 1965) Transcribed by Trudy Dixon Afternoon Lecture Sesshin, Sixth Patriarch, Dogen,	Suzuki Roshi	Oct 16 1965 A Sokoji
We Have Finished Sesshin With Unusual Results Serial: 65-10-16-B October Sesshin Lecture October 16, 1965 (Wind Bell, Nov.–Dec. 1965) Late Afternoon Lecture: Sesshin, Dogen, Baso, Beginner’s Mind,	Suzuki Roshi	Oct 16 1965 B Sokoji
I Have Nothing In My Mind Serial: SF-05125B One-Day Sesshin Lecture: 5 PM Saturday, August 28, 1965, Lecture B San Francisco Sesshin, Sixth Patriarch, Baso, Big Mind, Faith, Fox, Duality, Hate	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 28 1965 B Sokoji
Confucius Said the Most Visible is Something Invisible Serial: SF-05125A SR 002 Tape 1 copy Sesshin 1pm lecture Sesshin, Faith, Interview, Observe, confusion, Hate, Peace	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 28 1965 A Sokoji
Do You Have Some Questions? Serial: SF-05107A Tape 7 Summer 1965 Sesshin: Side 1 Friday evening lecture (transcribed) [Case replaced 12/95. Original notes were transcribed verbatim - WKR] Sesshin, Question-and-Answer, Transmission, training, Emotions, Buddha Nature,...	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 30 1965 D Sokoji
If You Have A Question Serial: SF-05105B Tape 6 Friday July 30 Side 1: 1pm lecture (continued on side 2) - transcribed Sesshin, Question-and-Answer, Buddha Nature, Religion, Peace, Obstacles, confusion,...	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 30 1965 C Sokoji
Don't Be Bothered By Your Mind / Science of Philosophy is Like a Dissection Serial: SF-05104C Tape 5 Summer sesshin 1965 Thursday July 29th Side 2: 5:45 meditation, 9:00 AM lecture [Case replaced 12/95. Original notes were transcribed verbatim - WKR] Sesshin, Peace, Buddha Nature, Current Events, Bodhidharma, Passions, Instruction,...	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 30 1965 A-B Sokoji
The Purpose of Practice is to Have a Direct Experience of Buddha Serial: SF-05103B Tape 4 Summer Sesshin 1965: Thursday July 29 9am lecture - transcribed Sesshin, Buddha Nature, Evil, Precepts, Ego, Instruction	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 29 1965 A Sokoji
Some More Questions Serial: SF-05104A Tape 5 Summer sesshin 1965 Thursday July 29th Side 1 - 6pm lecture; Continues on Side 2 [Case replaced 12/95. Original notes were transcribed verbatim - WKR] Sesshin, Question-and-Answer, Precepts, Emotions, Buddha Nature, Passions, training,...	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 29 1965 C Sokoji
Questions Serial: SF-05103C Tape 4 Summer Sesshin 1965: Thursday July 29 1pm lecture - transcribed Sesshin, Question-and-Answer, Buddha Nature, Priest, Faith, Demons, Religion...	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 29 1965 B Sokoji
Questions Serial: SF-05126E Tape 3 Summer Sesshin July 1965 - Wednesday July 28 1965 Tape 3 side 2 Wed July 28th 6pm lecture - transcribed; copied June 30 1973; SR001 Sesshin, Question-and-Answer, Four Noble Truths, Emotions, Faith, Passions, Delusion...	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 28 1965 D Sokoji
Pure Rules Serial: SF-05126A ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #6, by Shundo David Haye ===== The value of these sets of recordings during sesshins in the summer of 1965 at Sokoji is that not... Sesshin, Instruction, Emptiness, Interview, Religion, Faith	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 28 1965 9:00am Sokoji
If You Understand Bodhisattva Mind In A Dualistic Way Serial: SF-05126D Tape 3 Summer Sesshin July 1965 - Wednesday July 28 1965 Tape 3 Side 1: Wednesday 1pm lecture - transcribed; copied June 30 1973; SR001 Sesshin, Shobogenzo, Buddha Nature, Buddha Mind, confusion	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 28 1965 C Sokoji
Lunch Instruction Serial: SF-05126C ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #7, by Shundo David Haye ===== This is a second short instruction from the same day of sesshin as the Pure Rules talk (https://... Sesshin, Oryoki, Instruction, Ego, Japan, Observe	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 28 1965 12:00 Sokoji
Forgotten the Value of Religion Serial: SF-05101A ===== Awakening the Archive - Tape #5, by Shundo David Haye ===== The oldest recordings of Suzuki Roshi made at Sokoji, the home of the San Francisco Zen Center at the... Sesshin, Dogen, Shobogenzo, Inmost Nature, Religion, Don't Know Mind, Buddha...	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 27 1965 1:00pm Sokoji
In Our Way of Zen, We Emphasize the Way-Seeking Mind Serial: SF-05101B Tape 2 Summer Sesshin 1965 Tuesday July 27 - transcribed August 1965 Tape 2 Side 2 Tuesday July 27 6pm lecture Reverend Suzuki [Case replaced 12/95. Original notes were... Sesshin, Bodhisattva, Way-Seeking Mind, Interview, training, Faith	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 27 1965 6:00pm Sokoji
Religious Problems Concerning Such As Psychology Or LSD Serial: SF-05112A Tape 1 Summer sesshin 1965, Monday 1st day of sesshin (?) July 26th 1965 Tape 1 Side 1: 1pm lecture Sesshin, Dogen, Time, Continuous Practice, Precepts, Peace, Beginners, Balance,...	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 26 1965 1:00pm Sokoji
Why We Should Practice Zazen Serial: SF-05112B Tape 1 Summer sesshin 1965, Monday 1st day of sesshin (?) July 26th 1965; Side 2: 6:15pm lecture - transcribed August 1965 Sesshin, Shobogenzo, New Year, Silence, confusion, Anger, Religion, Faith	Suzuki Roshi	Jul 26 1965 6:15pm Sokoji
Brief summary From Sesshin Lectures Wind Bell 65-05 Serial: 65-05-00 This year, Reverend Suzuki's lectures (given twice daily Monday through Friday) centered on the problems arising from confusing religion with science (in particular psychology... Sesshin,	Suzuki Roshi	May 1965 Sokoji
The Traditional Way, Summary of Shunryu Suzuki's Sesshin Lectures Serial: 64-08-00 From the August 1964 Wind Bell THE TRADITIONAL WAY. REVEREND SUZUKI'S SESSHIN LECTURES by TRUDY DIXON Zen Center's annual week Sesshin (concentrated period... Sesshin,	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 1964 Sokoji
On the Second Sesshin Serial: 60-08-22 Certificate given participants in the Second Sesshin of Sokoji Sesshin,	Suzuki Roshi	Aug 22 1960 Sokoji
On the First Sesshin Serial: 60-02-21 Certificate given participants in the First Sesshin of Sokoji Sesshin,	Suzuki Roshi	Feb 21 1960 Sokoji
Sesshin Lecture Serial: SF-00986 Architecture at GGF; Layman Pang; many sesshins; "gamble everything on love"; sesshin romance and the potentiality of the present moment; recognizing your Buddha... Sesshin, Layman Pang, Suzuki Roshi, Sandokai, Ordinary Mind, Buddha Mind, Attachment...	Myogen Steve Stücky	Green Gulch

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