Virtual Retreat Activities
Newcomer Session
A newcomer is anyone who has never completed a retreat with Shinzen, including one-day workshops, home practice program or the life program, regardless of their meditation background. All newcomers need to attend the 'Newcomer Session' the first day or evening.
Occasionally, current students and coaches are permitted to audit the Newcomer Meeting in order to learn how to explain meditation to others by observing.
As it is important that newcomers have an Support Session (see below) to insure that they get off to a good start. Interview times are pre-assigned for newcomers and offered on the first and/or second day of the retreat. If you have not done a retreat (residential or virtual) with Shinzen for many years, you may also be assigned an online time.
You will be emailed the evening before giving you the pre-assigned day and time, but can also check the Interview Signup sheet on the Retreat Dashboard link provided to all participants. See below on more information regarding interviews. If you are unavailable at your pre-assigned time, please contact the retreat manager immediately to re-schedule.
Newcomer
Online Session
Technique Instruction
Sessions
Technique Instruction sessions are when Shinzen or the Co-Teacher gives instructions in meditation techniques. During this time, Shinzen and the Co-Teacher explain concepts and techniques, lead guided meditation, and answer questions. These are open to any retreatant who has theoretical or practical questions about meditation. Shinzen facilitates the sessions for current students, while the Co-Teacher facilitates the sessions with newcomers. Following working with the Co-Teacher, newcomers then join everyone and Shinzen for the daily AMA (Ask Me Anything) session.
It is important, however, to remember that the purpose of coming to any retreat is to develop a momentum of continuous silent practice. Before coming to a technique instruction session, one should carefully consider if one has a strong need for encouragement and clarification and not use the session as a diversion from practice.
Please join the virtual room on time and leave at the appropriate breaks. Do not just wander in and out of the room.
Support
Interviews
Support Interviews (formerly referred to as Onlines), is designed to use the teacher's time efficiently by providing personal and confidential guidance for three students at a time, but each is private. At a virtual retreat, the interviews will take place in a Zoom Room (link provided on the Interview SignUp Sheets for both Shinzen and the Co-Teacher).
Interviews are offered three times a day and are usually scheduled (within the time zone of the retreat) 7-8:30 am / 3-4:30 pm / 9-10:30 pm by Shinzen and the Co-Teacher.
How Does an Interview work with Shinzen?
For either the pre-assigned newcomer sessions or one you have signed up for, click on the Zoom Room link provided on the signup sheet. You’ll arrive into a main room where you will choose to enter the breakout room with the same number as the one by your name on the signup sheet. Begin meditating and Shinzen will join you to work on your practice, answer questions, etc. He will move between the three rooms, watch the time and let you know when your session is over and you can exit the room.
How Does an Interview work with the Co-Teacher?
Signup on the sheet provided in your Retreat Dashboard. At the day/time you choose, click the Zoom Room link provided to join the Co-Teacher. Typically times are a half hour so you will need to exit the room for the next participant to enter.
At this time, Chanting is not offered at a virtual retreat due to not being able to sync voices. If this changes, we’ll let you know.
The first two links here on the side give you information on chanting. If chanting is something you like to do to start your retreat day as it’s a good way to get energized in the morning, check out the last two links here on the Expand/Contract YouTube channel for Shinzen’s chanting teaching and a 10 minute chant you can do on your own.
This mantra is dedicated to the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Chinese – Kwan-Yin; Japanese – Kannon; Tibetan – Chenresi). It is sometimes loosely translated as “Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus” and consists of six syllables (Om-Ma-Ni-Pad-Me-Hum) symbolizing the bodhisattva vow to save all beings in the six realms of existence.
Coaches / Facilitators
Coaches/Facilitators are experienced meditators who have been trained by Shinzen or Unified Mindfulness to support fellow meditators in their practice. Interviews with coaches may be available during the virtual retreat. If so, sign ups will be via Google Docs and you’ll choose a day/time and CALL/CONNECT with the Coach at your chosen day/time from instructions listed on their signup sheets. You are encouraged to sign up for an interview to strengthen your practice, or if you encounter any difficulties or have questions about your meditation practice during the retreat. Value is guaranteed.
It is strongly encouraged that you make an appointment with one of the many Coaches, especially if you’ve been unable to schedule an interview with Shinzen.
Walking meditation times will be listed on the daily schedule and it’s your choice where you’d like to do walking using a meditation technique (your home, backyard, patio or in your neighborhood). If you leave the zendo ‘room’ to walk instead of sitting, either leave the meeting or turn your video off. Even if you point your camera towards art, etc., we discourage location cams!
Walking Meditation
Try to make the meal a meditation from beginning to end. Meditate as you walk to where you’ll prepare your meal, during preparation, and of course while you eat. After the last bite, you may want to sit for a while and savor the delicate after-energies that infuse the body following a satisfying meal. If a guided eating meditation is offered during a virtual retreat, an announcement will be made.
Eating Meditation
Times designated for movement (not walking time) are also considered meditation periods during which you should maintain a formal technique of body awareness using techniques learned in this retreat or others you may have used for movement meditations. If someone wishes to lead a mindful movement session via their own personal zoom room, there is a SignUp sheet to show your information. If no one is signed up to offer a session, you are free to do your own mindful movement.
Yoga, Qi Gong or Mindful Movement
All-night sitting, known as yaza, is often scheduled for the Thursday night of a weeklong retreat. If this is offered in the virtual zendo, details will be announced during the retreat. This is an optional activity, but it does offer extraordinary opportunities to deepen your practice that are not available with daytime meditation.
Yaza
There is a long rest period following lunch and somewhat shorter ones after breakfast and dinner. Although you may take walks, do exercise, continue formal practice, etc., during these periods, many retreatants find it helpful to take a “siesta” so as to be well rested for the work of meditation.
Rest Periods
If you’d like to listen to any of Shinzen’s recordings during the retreat, they are reasonably priced and available at the store on Shinzen’s website HERE for purchase and download throughout the retreat.
Recordings can be a great way to reinforce the deep and sometimes subtle ideas presented in the dharma talks and technique instruction sessions, as these need time and repetition to sink in. Some recordings deal with the basic principles of the practice, others describe how to use the practice for specific life issues, and others are guided meditations. Also, when you pass through the inevitable periods of low energy and resistance in your daily practice, you can use guided recordings as a “skillful means” to maintain quality meditation.
That said, please ensure you are not using listening to recordings as a distraction from the work of meditation, just like talking and reading can be. And please DO NOT listen to a recording during the sit times in the virtual zendo.