Glossary
Sesshin
接心 · intensive retreat
An intensive Zen meditation retreat, usually lasting several days.
A sesshin is a period of intensive Zen practice, most often lasting from three to seven days. The word is usually explained as "gathering the mind" or "touching the heart-mind".
The days are long and tightly scheduled: many periods of zazen broken up by walking meditation, formal meals, work, a talk from the teacher and private interviews. Silence is kept throughout.
Sesshin is demanding and is not where most people begin. Zen centers generally ask newcomers to attend shorter sittings or an introductory day first.