Half Day Zen Retreat

Yesterday, Buddha Mind Monastery held a half day zen retreat. The half day retreats are divided into 45 -50 minute blocks, called an incense. No talking is allowed for the duration of the retreat. Each incense consists of sitting meditation followed by a short period of walking meditation. The retreat starts with chanting the Heart Sutra and ends with chanting the Three Refuges and reciting the Four Great Vows. The Abbess gave a dharma talk during the second incense.
I have attended several of the half day retreats. The first was about a year ago. I had been in the beginning meditation class for only a few weeks and did not know what to expect at my first retreat. The long (for me) sitting meditation sessions were a challenge. The walking meditation is always helpful in getting the blood flowing in the legs again.