Recorded Sesshin

[Caisson]

I was wondering if this had ever been done here. A recorded 3 or 5 day sesshin within Treeleaf? I understand sitting long or short is still sitting. Could it still be a sesshin recorded with Dharma talks that transcend space/time? Personally, due to my occupation, I have to be a rather "spur of the moment" type of individual and rarely get to predict what is coming next. Would this be something that could be done in the spirit of the Treeleaf sangha? Possibly even produce different Dharma talks that could be interchanged with all the zazen? It seems like an odd idea yet sitting is still sitting whether it be B&M or with your favorite Treeleaf Zazenkai. Any thoughts?

Deep Bows,
Caisson

sattoday

[Kotei]

Hi Caisson,

there is the annual Treeleaf Rohatsu retreat, a recorded 2 day sesshin.

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?13965-TREELEAF-SANGHA-online-2-DAY-ANGO-JUKAI-ROHATSU-RETREAT-2015-%28MAIN-PAGE%29

Some months before the "realtime" retreat, I've been sitting the one of the prior year during a weekend.
Don't know, if that's close to what you're thinking about, but I liked very much, doing so.

Gassho,
Kotei sattoday.

[Byokan]

Hi Caisson,

oh yes! I do this as often as I can. There are several years worth of the 2-day Rohatsu retreats, just click back through the weekly Zazenkai thread or search "Rohatsu" to find them. Or put your own retreat together by lining up several Zazenkai's, Sit-a-Longs, a few Oryoki sessions, and schedule yourself some Samu work periods and rest periods in between. Make yourself a schedule just like a "real" sesshin. You can have a theme or just mix it up. You can even queue up some of the visiting-teacher Zazenkai's for that fabulous celebrity retreat feeling. Make things easy by preparing some simple food ahead of time that can be reheated quickly. You can mix and match Treeleaf recordings to make a short retreat, if maybe you only have 4 hours on a Saturday. If you're lucky enough to have several days you can make it as long as you want.

Oh this inspires me to make a list but I'm at work now, maybe later.

I don't know if the technology will allow for, say, a five day continuous recording. But Treeleaf already has such a wealth of varied recordings to choose from in the archives, it's just as good if not better, I think.

Happy Retreating!

Gassho
Byōkan
sat today

[Caisson]

Thanks Kotei and Byokan! Not sure why stacking recordings didn't dawn on me yet now I have some great ideas why. That is fantastic!! Thank you so much for the input.

Gassho,
Caisson

sattoday

[Rich]

Hi Caisson,

oh yes! I do this as often as I can. There are several years worth of the 2-day Rohatsu retreats, just click back through the weekly Zazenkai thread or search "Rohatsu" to find them. Or put your own retreat together by lining up several Zazenkai's, Sit-a-Longs, a few Oryoki sessions, and schedule yourself some Samu work periods and rest periods in between. Make yourself a schedule just like a "real" sesshin. You can have a theme or just mix it up. You can even queue up some of the visiting-teacher Zazenkai's for that fabulous celebrity retreat feeling. Make things easy by preparing some simple food ahead of time that can be reheated quickly. You can mix and match Treeleaf recordings to make a short retreat, if maybe you only have 4 hours on a Saturday. If you're lucky enough to have several days you can make it as long as you want.

Oh this inspires me to make a list but I'm at work now, maybe later.

I don't know if the technology will allow for, say, a five day continuous recording. But Treeleaf already has such a wealth of varied recordings to choose from in the archives, it's just as good if not better, I think.

Happy Retreating!

Gassho
Byōkan
sat today

Byoken, you are so creative.
Sat today

Sent from my LG-LS720 using Tapatalk

[Jundo]

Yes, we have several years of 2-Day Rohatsu Retreat going back, and years of weekly and monthly Zazenkai (about 10 hours of those per each month, 120 hours a year? ) ... one could theoretically sit for days and weeks on end! Dozens of hours of Jundo Talks until you will be jumping out the window at the mere sound of my voice!

However, I urge a very very VERY IMPORTANT CAUTION!!

In a bricks and mortar Retreat, one is with other folks in physical proximity. Our Retreat has aspects of solo sailing or being in a sensory deprivation chamber. Please study our Retreat Guide carefully, and especially the health cautions if undertaking any Retreat even for a day ...

OF COURSE, EVERYTHING IN MODERATION ... if the sitting ever feels too much, be sure to walk lots and lots of Kinhin (even if during a sitting period). And if the whole retreat becomes too much, or you feel ill, you may slow down ... , spread things out, shorten the sittings ... or STOP! Be sure that you have someone close by whom you can call, or who can check on you from time to time. If there is any question about health, do not take any chances!

and

If you have any problems, such as illness, an emergency or a personal problem, it is best to attend to that and break off the Retreat and your silence. STOP OR PAUSE THE RETREAT IF YOU FEEL THERE IS ANY HARMFUL EFFECT ON PHYSICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH.

Best to have someone close by who can check on you from time to time. If you have any health or psychological issues, check with your doctor or mental health professional beforehand too, as you would before hiking in the hills or swimming.

Common sense.

MORE RETREAT POINTERS:

https://sites.google.com/site/jundotreeleaf/TreeleafZendoRetreatPointers122014.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1

Practice Lessons for Retreat (how to Bow, Oryoki, Go to the Bathroom etc.):

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?13963-ATTENTION%21-Our-AT-HOME-2-DAY-ROHATSU-RETREAT-December-5th-to-6th%21-BE-READY%21

Gassho, Jundo