
6-Day Silent Retreat / Sesshin
- Autumn Sesshin
- When: Monday September 22 (evening) — Sunday September 28th (lunch)
- What: Theme TBD
- Who: Taught by Valerie Forstman
- Where: Hybrid – both online and onsite attendance options
- How: Learn more here and register here.
- Rohatsu (“8th day of the 12th month — day of Buddha’s enlightenment”)
- When: Saturday December 6th (evening) — Friday December 12th (lunch)
- What: Theme TBD
- Who: Taught by Valerie Forstman and Henry Shukman
- Where: Hybrid – both online and onsite attendance options
- How: Learn more here and register here.
Daylong Retreat / Zazenkai
Zazenkai is a term used in Zen Buddhism to refer to a day of intensive meditation practice. The word “Zazenkai” is of Japanese origin, where “za” means sitting, and “zenkai” means gathering. During a Zazenkai, participants engage in periods of sitting meditation (zazen), walking meditation (kinhin), and may also include chanting, dharma talks, and other activities related to Zen practice. Zazenkais provide an opportunity for practitioners to deepen their meditation experience and touch in to the insightful power of extended, shared practice.
- Zen Women: Breaking Through in a Gateless World — 5 Zazenkai Series
- When: January 12th (email us for teisho recording), February 15th (email us for teisho recording), June 28th (email us for teisho recording), July 19th (email us for teisho recording), November 8th
- What: In a series of 5 Zazenkai/Daylong Retreats throughout 2025, Valerie presents us with a unique opportunity to experience the insights of ancestors rarely encountered due to the biases of their times. Valerie’s authentic dharma experience is matched by her skill as a scholar as she helps us learn about these historical figures, while helping us touch into their (and our) gateless world.
- Who: Taught by Valerie Forstman
- Where: Hybrid – both online and onsite attendance options
- How: Next in the series is November 8th — Learn More and Register.
Weekend Retreats
Intro to Zen Sesshin with Scott Thornton
- When: October 17 – 19
- What: This weekend retreat is crafted to support individuals new to Zen-style retreats or those adopting a “beginner’s mind” approach to this powerful practice. We’ll delve into how the retreat format enhances our well-being and experience the enriching effects of extended silence and stillness on our practice.
- Who: Taught by Assistant Sanbo Zen Teacher Scott Thornton
- Where: Hybrid – both online and onsite attendance options
- How: Learn more and Register Here.
30 Days of Zen Online Courses
- EcoZEN: Earth as Zen Teacher: August 1- 30 (More info here)
- Zen Poetry and Nature: October 1 – 30 (Details TBD)