ZEN GIIFTS TO CHRISTIANS SESSHIN 2010

It was a remarkable joy to have our first week-long sesshin at the Ammerdown Centre from May 21-27. Father Robert Kennedy Roshi came form the United States to help lead the sesshin with Fr. Patrick Sensei. We were doubly blessed though to have another Sensei from the USA in Ellen Birx. There were 40 people who came for the start but 10 were only able to stay for the weekend. They were all very committed to the practice which was quite obvious right from the beginning on the Friday evening. Jeremy Woodcock quickly established himself as a most competent head monk and throughout the week ran the zendo with a gentle firmness that encouraged everyone participating. Indeed Wild Goose Sangha members from the Ashcroft Centre in Cirencester fulfilled all the service roles for the sesshin. They were all exemplary and they all contributed to the whole success of the sesshin. We owe a debt of gratitude to Edmund and Helen, Jane, Paul, and Marcus for serving in this way. It was certainly good to also have the assistance of Elia who came with Roshi from New Jersey to help lead us in our chanting.
Because we had three teachers with us it was decided that instead of just one long and quite formal Teisho each day that we would have a shorter encouraging talk from each of the teachers present. Roshi Kennedy began each day at 6.45 am. Using one of the beautiful drawings by Amy Yee coupled with his own calligraphy he stated us off with a theme for the day’s practice. Among the most memorable themes were the nature of the searching, what is pure gift? And not knowing.
After the breakfast Ellen Sensei gave her talks which were all of the highest calibre well representing her many years of practice and teaching. Each talk was powerfully illustrated with real life experiences from her many years in the nursing profession. She encouraged participants further in the themes set by Roshi and they were all particularly memorable because of the powerful presentation of some amazing stories.
It was interesting to have another voice and slightly different slant on those same themes from Patrick who spoke when we restarted after lunch and rest at 3pm each day. Each teacher used poetry as something like the “capping verse” at the end of Koans which gave a memorable few words to take into the practice of sitting in Zazen.
On Monday afternoon there was lovely recital of Japanese flute music given by Stephanie Hiller who lives near Ammerdown at Wells. It was the most beautiful and haunting music as traditionally used by a group of Zen monks in Japan. Stephanie had studied this for many years having discovered the practice when a young classical flautist studying at Dartington Hall. She joined with us for an hours sitting Zazen after her recital and talk on the nature of what is termed “Blowing Zen.” It was a powerful experience of a book by the Sufi Hazrat Inayat Khan on the Mysticism of Music.
Having three teachers present meant that everyone who wished had a chance to go at one of the four periods of Daisan each day to one or other of the teachers. This is a very important part of Zen practice as it enables the practitioner to address the particular issues that arise in their own sitting. The teacher will then be able to provide the necessary particular help that they require to deepen their experience. This proved to be a real blessing.
After the day’s Zen practice which very powerfully fulfilled the title of the sesshin bringing us many of the gifts that Zen brings to those of the Christian faith who have a particular attraction to the most ancient but often forgotten Apophatic Contemplative we ended the day with a celebration of a Eucharist in the Zendo for all those who wished to attend. It was a lovely way to end the day and it really affirmed the whole time together as an authentic experience of interfaith dialogue.
One cannot have such an intense immersion into Zen practice without some reasonable physical conditions for the body. The Ammerdown Centre more that adequately provided all that we needed in that area. The beds and rooms were comfortable, the food was of the most excellent quality and every need was well catered for by the warm and friendly staff. In the absolutely beautiful weather we had for the whole week the grounds and gardens were simply splendid and a feast for the eyes.
As the participants left there was a deep rooted sense of well-being and a real sense of value. These few days of quite intense Zen practice had given us all quite different approach to life. We stepped out with hope and courage ready to accept and engage in whatever we experienced in our day to day living. We were awakened to a real sense of awareness of each moment.
We left then having written May 27 to June 2 2011 in our diaries to reserve it for next year’s seshin.