Nothing to Do, Nowhere to Go
Intensive Practice Period 2026
The 2026 Intensive Practice Period begins on April 5 and culminates with sesshin at Camp Sealth, May 3 to May 10. This year the focus of study and practice is the record of Master Linji (Rinzai in Japan,) the Tang Dynasty Chinese teacher who exemplified the spirit of Chan (Zen) and founded our Rinzai lineage.
As always, the core emphasis for the Intensive Practice Period is leaning into practice and increasing time in zazen as much as possible. There will be many opportunities for sitting together in the zendo: early mornings, evenings, half-day sits every Sunday and seven days of sesshin at Camp Sealth.
Participation in the IPP is free and open to all the sangha…both members and non-members. Everyone is welcome to join. Participants must register on the PSZC website in order to receive information emails.
Participation may be at several levels of intensity. Everyone may participate in the Sunday talks and Thursday evening talks and discussions. Those who wish to dive more deeply into practice can take the opportunity to write and commit to their own Personal Practice Plan (see guidelines below.)
Teachers, Readings, Talks and Personal Practice Plans
Regular Sunday Service Dharma Talks by teachers and guest speakers focused on Linji/Rinzai Gigen (died 866 CE) the founder of our lineage. Talk titles TBA.
5 April Koshin Chris Cain
12 April TBA
19 April Eko Jeff Kelley
26 April Ghigan R Jaeckel Roshi, Abbot of Dai Bosatsu Zendo, NY
3 May No regular sit: instead an 8:30 to 9:30 AM sit followed by coffee and work practice to pack up for Camp Sealth.
Thursday Evenings 6:30 to 8:00 PM Zazen, readings and discussions of Linji’s teachings in the zendo and on Zoom. Readings from Nothing To Do, Nowhere to Go: Waking Up to Who You Are, Reflections on the Teachings of Master Linji by Thich Nhat Hahn. For those who don’t have the book readings will be available in digital format on Discord and will be emailed each week to all IPP registrants.
- 9 April Evening Talk 11 and Commentary 11
- 16 April Evening Talk 13 and Commentary 13
- 23 April Evening Talk 17 and Commentary 17
- 30 April Evening Talk 21 and Commentary 21
Zazen opportunities
- Every weekday morning 6:30 to 7:30 AM (in-person and Zoom)
- Every weekday evening, plus Saturday evening 7 to 8 PM (Zoom only)
- Every Sunday morning 7:00 AM to 12:00 noon, including the 10:00 AM service (in-person and on Zoom)
- Seven day sesshin at Camp Sealth Faith In Yourself: Linji’s Radical Dharma
- Evening of Sunday May 3 through Sunday afternoon May 10. (In-person only, register now.)
Personal Practice Plan Guidelines
Those who wish to deepen their practice may wish to create their own Personal Practice Plan. Personal Practice Plans will be shared with the abbot and with a practice partner (see details below.)
Take some time to reflect on what feels right and possible for you. Be realistic, taking into account other commitments and obligations, but do lean into zazen practice.
Zazen: Consider carefully the intensified zazen you will commit to for the five weeks. Write down the details of the additional zazen you commit to, for example:
- I will sit 4 weekday mornings a week in the zendo
- I will attend Monday night zazen, Thursday night zazen and discussion, and the Sunday sits starting at 7am each week in the zendo
- I will sit at home for 20 minutes every evening before bed.
- I will sign up for and attend half-time the April sesshin at Camp Sealth
Other: Add any other activity to your Personal Practice Plan, for example:
- art practice
- body practice
- keeping a practice journal
- additional reading
Opening the Intensive Practice Period Sunday, April 5
After the regular service on Sunday, April 5, those who wish to participate in the IPP will gather in the zendo at 1:00 PM, following the first-Sunday sangha potluck. All are welcome to join in, with or without a written Practice Plan.
Koshin will introduce the IPP and will lead a short ceremony in which those who have prepared Personal Practice Plans and wish to commit will place their written plans on the altar. Names of those with Practice Plans will be placed in a hat and partners will be drawn for the duration of the IPP.
Partners can make their own arrangements to meet (over tea for instance) to talk over their practice, discuss their experiences with zazen and to support each other throughout the five weeks.
Mid Intensive Reflection Sunday, April 19
Immediately following the Sunday service IPP participants will gather in the zendo to check in and share their various experiences with their intensified Zazen practice, thoughts on Rinzai’s teachings, reactions to speakers or readings and whatever else comes up.
Camp Sealth May 3 through 10 for those not attending Sesshin
Those IPP participants not attending Sesshin will be welcome to help with set up at Camp Sealth on Sunday, May 3 and are invited to join in the post-sesshin pack up, meal and social time on Sunday afternoon, May 10.
All sangha members are welcome to attend the daily Dharma talks at 10 AM in the Camp Sealth zendo.
No fee or registration is required for this event; register separately for Sesshin.
