Top Rated iconTop Rated

Sesshin - The Ancient Way

Location icon
79640 Quincy Mayger Road, Clatskanie, Oregon 97016, USA
Date
October 9 - 19, 2025

About this Retreat

Details of this retreat

There is something very special about the magic of autumn and the kicking off of the fall ango practice period that makes this sesshin so powerful. What a great gift it is to be able to sit together in silence. This is our longest sesshin of the year. The extra days enable us drop down into the bare bones essentials of our lives. We have this rare opportunity to turn towards the practice/awakening that is our true nature, and to celebrate quietly together in the container of sesshin.

Day after day plunge into the waters of mystery and exploration. Turn off the media machine, look, and look again. We do this together. Each person an important part of the web that holds us all together.

 

Sesshin is a rigorous and, at times, challenging. This silent meditation retreat that is not recommended for beginners. In order to attend in person, we require that you attend one of our silent weekend retreats or a five-seven day silent retreat at another Zen Center before registering for our longer zen retreats. For more information about what to expect when attending a sesshin, click here.

Schedule

Please note: this is an approximation; sesshin schedules vary with leader and season.

First evening
5:00 p.m. Registration begins
6:00 p.m. Dinner (informal) and sesshin orientation
9:00 p.m. Zazen and formal opening of sesshin
10:00 p.m. Monastery doors locked

All full days
4:20 a.m. Wake up bell
5:00 a.m. Zazen
6:50 a.m. Service
7:20 a.m. Breakfast (oriyoki) in dining hall
8:30 a.m. Work period begins
9:50 a.m. Warning bell to clean up
10:00 a.m. End of work period
10:30 a.m. Zazen
12:20 p.m. Service
12:30 p.m. Lunch (oriyoki) in dining hall
3:00 p.m. Zazen
5:20 p.m. Service
5:30 p.m. Dinner (oriyoki) in dining hall
7:00 p.m. Zazen
9:20 p.m. Formal Tea/Zazen
10:00 p.m. Monastery doors locked

Last Sunday
4:50 a.m. Wake-up bell
5:30 a.m. Zazen
6:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Closing Circle
10:00 a.m. Sunday Program (service, zazen)
11:20 a.m. Dharma talk and formal end of sesshin
12:00 p.m. Lunch (informal)
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Location icon Zen Community of Oregon, 79640 Quincy Mayger Road, Clatskanie, Oregon 97016, USA

Accommodation

Online only (sustaining rate)
Online only (scholarship rate)
Event fee
Event fee (ZCO member rate)

Customer Reviews

4.92 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
Verified logo
Drop of Stillness - 1/2 day retreat
My first time at Heart of Wisdom temple; I will definitely be back. The space, inside and out, is beautiful. The half-day sit was perfect (though I long for the ability to make a full day at some point). And the folks leading the sit held a great container. I used to sit Zen in NYC over a decade ago and this felt like I was right back there, no separation.

5.0
Verified logo
Retreat and Refuge
Daylong in city zen retreat with chanting, zazen and a great vegetarian meal.

5.0
Verified logo
again
again please...

5.0
Verified logo
Such a blessing 🙏
This was my second time attending the Jizo Ceremony. I appreciate that the monastery and monks hold this sacred space for those who are grieving the loss of the unborn, the children and the others, including the victims of wars and conflicts. It was also very meaningful to hear the history the Great Vow Monastery as well as the inception of the first Jizo ceremony in the SF Bay area many years ago. I feel that this type of ceremony is a wonderful blessing and a gift of service to humanity.

5.0
Verified logo
Stillness Half Day Retreat May 31st
I really enjoyed the retreat. Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple is a beautiful environment and very welcoming. I went with a friend not very experienced in mediation and she's ready to do a Zazankai offered June 21st!

Similar retreats