Loading Events

2026 Spring Sesshin (hybrid)

2026 Spring Sesshin with Valerie Forstman

Monday, March 16 – Sunday, March 22
Online and in-person; residential or commuter

Join us for this annual Spring sesshin. Valerie will be leading the retreat from Mountain Cloud’s zendo and the event will be hybrid, with both online and in-person attendance options.

Experience the unique opportunity of extended practice with support from:

  • The profound silence and stillness of the age-old sesshin format.
  • The deep container provided by Sanbo Zen Associate Master Valerie Forstman.
  • Dokusan (one-on-one interviews) conducted in person by Valerie and online by Zen Teacher Carolyn Seburn.
  • Q&A sessions with Sanbo Zen teacher Scott Thornton.

Sesshin is a term used in Zen to refer to an intensive period of meditation practice, typically lasting several days to a week or more. During sesshin, practitioners engage in extended periods of sitting meditation (zazen), walking meditation (kinhin), chanting, and other forms of Zen practice under the guidance of a teacher. Sesshin is often held in a retreat setting, with participants observing noble silence and following a strict schedule of meditation sessions interspersed with short breaks for rest and meals. The purpose of sesshin is to deepen one’s meditation practice, cultivate mindfulness, and gain insight into the nature of reality.

Sample Retreat Schedule (Mountain Time)

Daily Schedule (Tuesday – Saturday)

Morning

  • 6:00-7:30am  Sitting
  • 7:30-9:30am : Breakfast, samu (work practice), and rest

Main Block

  • 9:30am-noon   Sitting and dharma talk (recorded and shared via email in the evening)
  • Noon-1:30pm  Lunch and rest
  • 2:00-5:30pm   Movement, Sitting and Q&A (recorded and shared via email in the evening)

Evening Block

  • 5:30-7:00pm   Dinner, rest, personal time
  • 7:00-8:30pm    Sitting & Closing
Registration Fees*

Online
Full-Time: $240

In-Person
Shared Lodging: $1,050
Camp/Bell Tent: $900
Commute: $825

25% scholarships available. Please see registration page for details.

Members receive 15% off. See the members’ newsletter and/or Members Zone for a special link. If you’re not a member, learn more about membership here.

*Pricing has changed for 2026. Please click here to learn more about these changes.

Online or “At-Home” Attendance

We are thrilled to offer a comprehensive online experience that can offer profound connection and depth. Online participation includes:

  • Orientation & Welcome Session: Here, you’ll have the opportunity to meet your fellow online retreatants, set the tone, and establish intentions for the week ahead.
  • Closing Session & Integration Session: We offer a closing circle at the end of the retreat, and an “integration” session in the week after the retreat. These provide extra context, opportunity for Q&A, and the chance to connect with fellow participants.
  • Daily Recordings: Receive recordings of Talks and Q&A sessions each day, allowing you to revisit and deepen your understanding of the teachings at your own pace.
  • Optional Break-Out Group Support Sessions: Days 1-3 we will offer sessions with Scott Thornton, Carolyn Seburn, and Shana Smith, for personalized support and guidance as you settle into your practice, make adjustments, or navigate challenges.
  • Optional 1-1 Practice Guidance: Full-time participants will have the opportunity to meet 1-1 with Sanbo Zen teacher Carolyn Seburn, providing extra support to dive even deeper during the retreat.
For general questions about the retreat contact Xander
On-Site Attendance (full-time only)

Onsite attendance offers a profound opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the practice and the sesshin schedule. Whether you choose to stay on-site or commute from your own lodging, being on campus allows you to deeply engage with your community of fellow practitioners and experience the interconnectedness of our practice community. Our lodging options include rustic cabins, a cottage, camping on campus, or bringing your own camper/van. While we cannot guarantee lodging preferences, we will be in touch upon the acceptance of your application to discuss available options.

In-person retreatants are accepted based on an application process designed to ensure that this intensive sitting experience is a good match for you.

For general questions about the retreat contact Xander

 

Start
March 16
End
March 22
Event Categories
, , ,