
6-Day Silent Retreat / Sesshin
- Spring Sesshin with Valerie Forstman
- When: Monday March 16th (evening) — Sunday March 22nd (lunch)
- Where: Hybrid – both online and on-site attendance options
- How: Learn more here and register here.
- Ecodharma Sesshin with David Loy
- When: Monday May 18th (evening) — Sunday May 24th (lunch)
- Where: On-site with part-time online option
- How: Learn more here and sign up for registration alerts here.
- North American Sanbo Zen Sesshin with Yamada Ryoun Roshi
- When: Sunday June 21st (evening) — Friday June 26th (lunch)
- Where: On-site
- How: Learn more here and sign up for registration alerts here.
- Autumn Sesshin with Valerie Forstman
- When: Monday September 21st (evening) — Sunday September 27th (lunch)
- Where: Hybrid – both online and on-site attendance options
- How: Learn more here and sign up for registration alerts here.
- Rohatsu (“8th day of the 12th month — day of Buddha’s enlightenment”) with Valerie Forstman and Henry Shukman
- When: Monday December 7th (evening) — Sunday December 13th (lunch)
- Where: Hybrid – both online and on-site attendance options
- How: Learn more here and sign up for registration alerts 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.
- 2026 Zazenkai Series with Valerie Forstman
- When: Saturdays: Jan 17th, Feb 21st, April 18th, July 11th, Aug 8th, and Oct 17th
- Where: Hybrid – both online and on-site attendance options
- How: First one is January 17th — learn more here. You can register for the full series here (before Jan 17th) or just January here.
- Ecodharma Zazenkai
- When: Saturday May 2nd
- Where: Hybrid – both online and on-site attendance options
- How: Learn more here and sign up for registration alerts here.
Weekend Retreats
- Intro to Zen Sesshin with Shana Smith
- When: Friday February 6th – Sunday February 8th
- Where: Hybrid – both online and on-site attendance options
- How: Learn more here and sign up for register here.
- Ecodharma Weekend Retreat
- When: Friday May 8th – Sunday May 10th
- Where: On-site with potential online option
- How: Learn more here and and sign up for registration alerts here.
- Intro to Zen Sesshin with Scott Thornton
- When: Friday November 13th – Sunday November 15th
- Where: Hybrid – both online and on-site attendance options
- How: Learn more here and and sign up for registration alerts here.
30 Days of Zen Online Courses
- 30 Days of Zen: Begin Again, January 2- 31 (More info here and register here)
- April 1 – 30 (Sign up for registration alerts here)
- July 1 – 30 (Sign up for registration alerts here)
- October 2 – 31 (Sign up for registration alerts here)
2026 Pricing Updates
Dear Sangha,
As we look ahead to the coming year, we want to share several updates to our program pricing. Our goal is always to balance accessibility, sustainability, and transparency while supporting the deep practice that Mountain Cloud exists to offer. Much of this new model was inspired by sangha feedback and input.
1. Lower Prices for Online Participation
In 2026, we are reducing the cost of online participation across our offerings.
We’ve heard from many of you that online access is a vital support for maintaining a steady practice—especially for those who live far away, have family or work constraints, or simply need a flexible way to stay connected.
Online Pricing (2026):
- Online Sesshin: $240 / $204 for Members
- Online Weekend Sesshin: $80 / $68 for Members
- Online Zazenkai: $30 / $25.50 for Members
Lower online prices reflect our commitment to making practice accessible and to supporting continuity for everyone in our wider Mountain Cloud community.
2. A New Member Discount for All Offerings (Except Residency)
We are introducing a Member Discount across nearly every program we offer—zazenkais, daylongs, online courses, and multi-day retreats.
This is designed both to soften the impact of pricing changes and to encourage continuity and depth in your practice. Membership is one of the most reliable ways to stay engaged, return again and again, and experience the subtle unfolding that comes from practicing in community over time.
Member benefits include:
- 15% off Sesshin, Weekend Sesshin, and Zazenkai
- 25% discount on personal retreat lodging
- 50% discount on all 30 Days of Zen courses
Strengthening our membership base also supports Mountain Cloud’s long-term sustainability: it helps us maintain our campus, expand low-cost and donation-based offerings, and care for our teachers and staff.
3. Increases to In-Person Program Prices
The costs of offering in-person retreats and events—meals, utilities, maintenance, campus upkeep, staff time—have all risen in recent years. To keep these programs healthy and sustainable, we will be increasing our in-person prices in 2026.
Examples:
- Shared-lodging Sesshin: $1,050
- Weekend Sesshin (Shared cabin/cottage): $320
- Zazenkai On-site: $60
- Personal Retreats:
- Cabin $140 • Cottage $120 • Yurt $100
- Bell Tent $80 • Camping $40
These changes help ensure we can continue to offer high-quality, well-supported retreats in a way that honors the true costs of running a residential practice center.
4. Scholarships
Barrier-free 25% and 50% scholarship tiers remain available for anyone needing support. We are committed to ensuring that finances never block access to practice.
Scholarships are covered with the help of generous donations from fellow sangha members, with the intention to make these precious experiences available to those otherwise excluded, as a step towards inclusivity and wide welcome in this shared practice. We have intentionally removed barriers to applying for the scholarship in trust and compassion for each one’s discernment.
_________________________
We offer these updates in the spirit of transparency and ongoing stewardship of our center. Please see below for additional information about these changes. If you have questions or would like to talk about how pricing or membership might affect your own participation, please reach out—our aim is always to keep Mountain Cloud a welcoming refuge for all.
With warmth and gratitude,
Mountain Cloud Zen Center
What’s Changing That Is Increasing Our Prices
As we work to sustain Mountain Cloud for the long term, several important developments are affecting our cost structure. Some of these changes occurred already in 2025, and some are coming in 2026. These changes all reflect our commitment to offering a high-quality, well-supported practice environment.
1. Our Staff Team Has Grown — and It’s Working
Over the past year we’ve experimented with a fuller staff model, and it has been a wonderfully successful shift. Our team now includes:
- Registrar
- Campus Operations Manager
- Curriculum Coordinator & Member Liaison
- Two dedicated Zen teachers
- Facilities Specialist
- Communications & Outreach Manager
- Executive Director
This structure has dramatically improved the participant experience: clearer communication, smoother registration processes, more thoughtful curriculum design, responsive support during programs, and more consistent care of our campus.
To keep this level of support, we need to budget realistically for a team of this size. Rather than scaling back, we are choosing to sustain the staffing that is helping Mountain Cloud flourish.
2. Ongoing Improvements to Campus, AV, Lodging & Programming
We continue to invest in upgrades that directly improve your experience:
- Better AV equipment and reliability (so online and hybrid participants get a true MCZC experience)
- Improvements to bathrooms, cabins, trails, and campus infrastructure
- Increased lodging amenities
- Growth in programming, including new offerings and expanded support for teachers
More details are below in the “What’s New This Year and Next” section.
3. Our Buildings Are Aging and Require More Care
Mountain Cloud’s facilities are beautiful—and they also need ongoing maintenance as they age.
While fundraising helps with some projects, many community members prefer to contribute through program fees, which means these fees play an essential role in supporting repairs, maintenance, and the stewardship work that keeps the zendo and grounds safe and welcoming.
We want to be transparent about this: increased maintenance needs are part of why in-person pricing is changing. Caring for our campus is part of caring for our community.
What’s New This Year and Next
We’re excited to introduce several new supports and improvements designed to enrich your practice and make your experience at Mountain Cloud even smoother. Some of these changes occurred already in 2025, and some are coming in 2026.
New for 2026 (and Late 2025):
- Free email series for participants in the Intro to Meditation class, offering guidance and practice support after the course ends
- Improvements to the website for a more user friendly experience
- Improvements to the Intro Class- organizing around new progressive structure to support folks through a whole month of intro classes
- Breakfast included at Zazenkai, meaning smoother mornings and more time in community
- Daily zazen schedule now runs through Sesshin, so you never miss a sit even on retreat weeks
- New, free Ecodharma workshops throughout the year, building on our commitment to practice in relationship with the land
These additions reflect our ongoing effort to deepen practice opportunities, strengthen community, and build a nourishing experience for everyone who comes through our gates.