Voices of participants
Frances Deuticke,
long-time Zen practitioner
It is difficult for me to express in words what happens in the sesshin. In the sesshin, the deep silence moved me and supported me from the beginning – the longing and devotion, and "simply this".
Before I come to the sesshin, there are often conflicting feelings like longing or anticipation, but also resistance. There are so many things and intentions that compete with five days of sitting in silence.
The inner process during a sesshin fascinates me – becoming clearer, and a natural, calm acceptance of everything as it is. After the sesshin I often feel peace and joy.
In 2015, after many years of Zen practice, during a teisho of Migaku Sato, I perceived him as the first person who, based on his own experience, knows what he is talking about. I feel his deep concern to accompany each practitioner individually on the path of traditional and authentic Zen practice.
Andreas Hoffmann,
Landscape architect
After a sesshin with Migaku Sato, the meaning and importance of the practice always becomes clearer to me, even if this sometimes gets lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
With Migaku Sato I appreciate his mixture of practical advice and his spiritual depth. His advice and assistance are always very precise, thoughtful and empathically conveyed.
After the sesshin, the world looks somehow different. I always need some time to be able to dive back into the everyday world. I feel like an observer and somewhat removed from the world.
I like to practice Zen again and again because I feel a deep longing to find out "what holds the world together at its core".
Katja Reinke,
Language coach
The journey within holds the greatest wonders. I have great respect for every sesshin, because no one knows in advance where the journey will lead.
I find the inner process of a sesshin so dense and complex that I wouldn't know how to describe it. So I have to choose what I look at more closely.
For example, in this sesshin I was particularly moved by the realization that in Zen one never sits alone, indeed can never sit alone, because basically everything sits with us. Migaku Sato said to us at the end of a teisho that even every single thing sits with us, and practices with us.
This feeling is completely new and revolutionary for me. It always seemed to me that things were so infinitely lost, and I was so infinitely lost among them. But after this sesshin, my view of things has fundamentally changed. I no longer have to worry about them or give them meaning and purpose, because I have realized that things carry their meaning and existence completely within themselves, and more and more often I even succeed in coming to peace with and in them. And when I see my shoes standing by my bed in the evening, I am now often overcome by a feeling of tenderness, because I know that my shoes are my companions, they sit and practice with me …
I perceive Migaku Sato as incredibly precise and careful in the linguistic expression and interpretation of the texts. And beyond that, he succeeds in creating a space that is supported by humor and kindness. Above all, a kindness that does not necessarily want to correct everything for the better, but before whose eye everything that is, without exception, appears lovable, simply because it is, and because it is exactly the way it is. And in this presence and this vastness we may mirror ourselves, we may sit and practice.
Birgit Schatz,
Employee in the course office
The Zazenkai with introduction by Migaku Sato impressed and inspired me very much with its simplicity, directness and its depth.
Before the meditation course, I was not really in balance. I longed for more inner peace and relaxation. The Zazenkai was very well organized. We had a structured and simple program consisting of meals in silence, a theoretical introduction, and sitting and walking meditations. The Zen Master Migaku Sato, as a newcomer, introduced me to Zen meditation with his precise, loving and humorous way. The introduction was very helpful to make the silence and long sitting on the cushion a special experience.
I was particularly impressed by the natural depth of zazen, which was noticeable after only a short time. Despite the silence, I immediately felt comfortable and well received in the circle of other participants.
After the course weekend, I felt enriched and blessed. I was able to refuel and realign myself internally. It was like a "holiday for the soul".
Marion Kolb,
Secondary school teacher
It is wonderful to be able to fully engage in the sitting, to stay completely with yourself even in the daily work in and around the zendo (Samu) and thus quickly come to inner peace.
I cannot imagine a better Zen teacher than Migaku Sato. He translates the texts from Japanese (7th century and others) and tries to find a language in German that a person living today can understand - which is quite an extraordinary achievement in relation to a Zen text. One senses his absolute conviction, which he also conveys as a teacher with wit and charm, so that it is also possible to listen intently during the Teisho.
Danny M. Fiebig,
Mediator and coach
A Zen sesshin is a particularly valuable time. What happens inside during this time of silence is difficult to describe in words.
The Domicilium Weyarn is a wonderful place where you can feel the fruits of long practice of many people. Today, no one needs to travel to Asia to experience authentic Zen practice. Everything can be found here.
I am very grateful that I found my teacher Hannelore Müller, MD. For me, she embodies authentic, living Zen. The support she has given me on the path of practice for many years is indispensable and invaluable.
