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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

4.93 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Vancouver WA Zen retreat 08-02-25
This half day retreat was led by Laura Jomon Martin. She is an excellent teacher, and the participants (including me) enjoyed the practice and discussion during the retreat. It was held in the city of Vancouver, WA, where we didn’t have opportunities to do a Zen retreat before this. There will be another one in November, as they hope to do these quarterly from now on.

5.0
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Jizo’s City Refuge
A well-organized and well-facilitated retreat. Food was yummy. The teachings were deep. I liked the schedule. Zendo felt stuffy first two days - AC a little cooler would have helped me a lot.. Thank you!

5.0
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Zazenkai at Heart of Wisdom Temple, Portland, OR, 7/19/25
For experienced retreat-goers, perhaps one day doesn't seem like much. For someone new to practice, new to a particular group or place, and unfamiliar with zen forms, this was of great benefit. The schedule led gracefully from one activity to another so participants didn't have to worry about what to do next. Instructions were gentle and clear. The teachers offered additional meditation instruction and helpful suggestions.

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

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