The North Carolina Zen Center is happy to announce that it will hold its Summer Sesshin from August 3 through August 6. The retreat will begin with informal dinner at 6PM on Thursday, August 3, and will end at noon on Sunday, August 6.
This retreat will be guided by Teshin Matt Sweger. Teshin was trained in the lineage of Philip Kapleau Roshi and the Rochester Zen Center. He has 25 years of Zen training including residential training at Rochester and at Windhorse Zen Center in Asheville. He studied under Bodhin Roshi at Rochester, then under Lawson Satcher Roshi at Windhorse, and completed his study under Sevan Ross Roshi and was given full sanction to teach by him in 2015. He has been teaching for five years through a Zen group at the University of Rochester.
This will be Teshin’s first retreat with the NCZC. Teshin has been a candidate for the Center’s teacher position, and is currently in discussions with the Center with the intent of Teshin joining the Center and becoming the Center’s teacher and abbot. This will be a great opportunity to practice with Teshin and to get to know him as a Zen teacher.
The retreat will be conducted in a format similar to past retreats at the Center, although there will be some modest changes to form and schedule based on Teshin’s wishes. The retreat will include periods of sitting and walking meditation, interview with the teacher, Dharma talks, and periods of work around the Center. Some of the work will be out-of-doors, possibly involving grounds maintenance, so come prepared to work outside in the summer, with appropriate light clothing.
Cost of the retreat will be $55 per night. Part-time attendance is permitted, however lodging preference will be given to full-time participants. Deposits are due by Friday, July 20, which will help with planning for meals and lodging. After that date the cost of the retreat will be $60 per night. For more information about retreats at the NC Zen Center please visit the Retreats Page on the Center’s website.
