Sesshin Residential Retreats

About Sesshin

Sesshin is a Zen Retreat. Sesshin means to connect or receive the Heart-Mind of the universe and all beings. It is a rare opportunity to practice in a more formal and extended way, to deepen the path of Zen. Our sesshins are residential retreats with private rooms, more formal practice, teacher interviews, dharma talks, chanting, and shared meals. Weather permitting, we walk kinhin outdoors to connect with nature. We maintain silence during sesshin to help all attendees maintain a contemplative mindset.

Our sesshin normally starts on a Thursday evening and concludes midday on Sunday. In order to provide the deep experience of sesshin, attendees are encouraged to attend all days and sittings. Some limited scholarships are available based on need. The cost is typically $395 for food and onsite lodging.

We hold residential sesshins three times a year (January, May, September) in Germantown MD at the beautiful Wellspring Conference Center. As details are available, they are posted on this page.

Example Friday and Saturday Schedule

6:30                           KENTAN (Morning Greeting), ZAZEN w/ KINHIN (3 periods)

8:00-9:30                  BREAKFAST and REST PRACTICE

9:30                           ZAZEN w/ KINHIN (3 periods) DHARMA TALK, INTERVIEWS

11:00                        TEA BREAK

11:15                          ZAZEN w/ KINHIN (2 periods), INTERVIEWS, CHANTING PRACTICE

12:00-2 PM               LUNCH and REST PRACTICE

2:00                           ZAZEN w/ KINHIN (3 periods), INTERVIEWS

3:30 -4:30                  WORK PRACTICE or ARTS PRACTICE

4:30                           ZAZEN AND STRETCH/BODY PRACTICE             

6-7:30                        DINNER AND REST PRACTICE

7:30                         ZAZEN w/ KINHIN (3 periods)

9:00                           EVENING REST PRACTICE