Upside Down Country—A Zen Weekend in the Heart of the Goldfields
Friday Night: 4.30pm-8pm
Saturday: 9am—6pm
Sunday: 9am—6pm
We live in a world turned upside-down by change. This is particularly evident in Central Victoria, where the legacy of mining is plain to see. What was once underground now tumbles into the sky in the form of roads, buildings, cities and satellites. In more recent times our personal data has also been ruthlessly mined and sold on the open market. So how might we ground ourselves in such an upside-down world?
By turning upside-down ourselves. With zazen (silent meditation), teisho (dharma talks), sutras (chanting) and dokusan (interviews with the teacher) we let ourselves touch the earth and are touched in return. After all, there is no upside or downside in the dharma. So join us for a rare excursion into upside down country, where transformation is not only possible, but evident in every leaf, branch and tree.
Sensei Kynan Sutherland was authorised to teach by Susan Murphy Roshi in 2019. Since then he has led numerous events with Castlemaine Zen and Zen Open Circle, offering regular talks to the Mountains and Rivers Zen Group in Hobart, The Melbourne Zen Group and The Buddhist Library in Sydney. You can read more about Kynan’s appointment here.
Places are strictly limited so register now to secure your place
PLEASE NOTE — This event is NOW FULL. If you would like to join the waiting list we will notify you as soon as a place becomes available.
Weekend Schedule
Friday Afternoon
4.30pm Arrive
5.00pm Supper
5.30pm Work Meeting
6.30pm Zazen
7.00pm Opening Guidelines
8.00pm Finish
Saturday and Sunday
9.00am Sutras
9.30am Zazen
10.00am Encouragement Talk
10.30am Outside Kinhin
11.00am Zazen
11.30am Lunch
12.00pm Break / Samu
1.30pm Zazen
2.00pm Teisho (Dharma Talk)
3.00pm Zazen / Dokusan
3.30pm Zazen / Dokusan
4.00pm Zazen / Dokusan
4.30pm Reading / Dokusan
5.00pm Supper
5.30pm Break / Samu
6.00pm Finish
Zazen at the historic Fryerstown School, Fryerstown
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I attend if I’m an absolute beginner?
Yes. However, the event is ideally suited to those with some meditation experience. If you are new to Zen we suggest you contact us first to arrange an orientation. If you are familiar with other traditions or meditation styles you are also very welcome. The form may be different to what you’re used to, but f you embrace it wholeheartedly you will find it very rewarding.
What sort of orientation is offered?
There are a number of ways to access orientation for this sesshin. You can request an orientation at one of our regular Sunday sits. You can also visit our Orientation and Ritual and Form pages. Daily dokusan (interview with the teacher) is offered each day and forms an integral part of the retreat.
Are my dietary requirements accommodated?
All meals are vegetarian. We accomodate other dietary requirements by request, including gluten-free and lactose-free. If you have any dietary requirements that are important to observe, please include them in your sesshin registration form. They will be factored into our shopping and meal preparation.
Is this a silent retreat?
Yes. The retreat is silent, but there will be periods of shared chanting, sutra reading, dharma talks and interviews with the teacher.
What do I wear?
Loose, dark (preferably black) clothing is recommended, free from distracting patterns or logos. A wood heater has been installed to keep the dojo warm, but we recommend bringing a number of layers in case the weather gets cold.
What if I can’t make it on all three days?
Priority will be given to people attending full time. However, if you can only attend part time and would like to join our waiting list, please contact us. We will let you know as soon as possible if a place becomes available on your requested day.
How many people can attend?
We are limited to 20 people at the Fryerstown School, so please register early to secure your place.
What about Covid?
Full refunds are offered up to one week before the event, regardless of your situation. We cannot guarantee a full refund after that time but if covid strikes we will do our very best to support you. Great care is taken to shop and prepare for your particular needs, so we may have spent some of your money already. In that case, we will refund as much as we can.
PLEASE NOTE — This event is NOW FULL. If you would like to join the waiting list we will notify you as soon as a place becomes available.