This day of mindfulness offers a rare opportunity to turn our awareness to the simple activities that sustain our lives, that we normally take for granted: breathing, walking, eating, being attentive to the workings of our mind. The distractions and pressures of daily responsibilities diminish, giving a wider world view a chance to appear, along with a sense of gratitude and calmness.

We encourage you to organize your schedule so that you can attend this short retreat. Community members are welcome to join in part or in full.
An Additional way to participate in the Sesshin, is by providing food for the attendees. We will be needing Grain, Protein(Vegetarian), and Vegetable Dishes for the Breakfast and Lunch; Fruit and Cookies for Afternoon Tea. If you are considering to contribute one of the few dishes for meals, or fruit and cookies, do let me know via email so I can give you a attendee headcount.

Details-
Sign-up sheets for Attendance, Doan and Kokyo duties, Providing food and serving meals, Sesshin schedule and Guidelines ( see Two page .rtf attachment to this email) will be available in printed form outside the Zendo.

Retreat Schedule

5:30 AM Meditation
6:10 AM Walking Meditation Kitchen prepares Breakfast
6:20 AM Meditation
7:00 AM Silent Bowing Servers Reports to Kitchen
7:10 AM Breakfast
8:00 AM Cleanup/Personal
8:40 AM Meditation
9:20 AM Walking Meditation
9:30 AM Meditation
10:00 AM Walking Meditation
10:10 AM Meditation
10:40 AM Walking Meditation Kitchen prepares Lunch
10:50 AM Meditation
11:30 AM Silent Bowing Servers report to Kitchen
11:40 AM Lunch (FAQ about Meals)
12:40 PM Cleanup/Personal
1:10 PM Work Period
2:20 PM Cleanup Servers Prepare Tea
2:30 PM Tea
3:00 PM Walking Meditation
3:10 PM Meditation
3:50 PM Walking Meditation
4:00 PM Meditation
4:40 PM Walking Meditation
4:50 PM Meditation
5:30 PM Service
6:00 PM Cleanup

What are the Guidelines for a Retreat?

To help maintain mindfulness during retreats, we make the following suggestions:

Please help us maintain silence during retreats by speaking only if necessary, for instance about meal preparation. If you find it necessary to have a conversation, please do so outside Kannon Do so as not to disturb others.
Please refrain from reading and writing except during the study period.
Each activity (meditation, meals, work period) is closed with a group bow. If you need to leave after an activity, please do so after bowing with the group.
Be aware that the telephone can be a great distraction. If you find it necessary to use the phone, please do so outside the hearing of others.
During the breaks following meals, you can use the Zendo to rest or stretch, or you can walk outside. During breaks, you can also help to wash and dry dishes or put away food.
In addition to break times, you can use kinhin (walking meditation) periods to visit the restrooms.
What should I know about meals during a retreat?

During retreats we take our meals in a traditional monastic style called “Oryoki”. If you will be staying for one or more meals, please indicate which ones on the sign-up sheet by the zendo door.

When you arrive at sesshin, take a set of Oryoki bowls from the table, identifying it by writing your name on the wooden stick provided.

Keep the Oryoki at your seat during sesshin, and when you leave, return the Oryoki to the table.

If you are unfamiliar with the use of Oryoki, don’t be concerned about getting it “right.” Try to follow along with someone who understands the practice. Often an Oryoki instruction session will be held during the week before sesshin.

Link for Oryoki

(Taking meals in monastic style)
https://www.kannondo.org/faq#TOC-What-should-I-know-about-meals-duri
https://www.kannondo.org/oroyoki