Summer Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat

A one-day zazenkai (zazen gathering) is a contained introduction to sesshin-style practice — longer sitting periods than a typical meditation class, but without the multi-day residential commitment. This format works well for people exploring whether extended practice appeals to them, or for established practitioners who want a midweek reset.

The structure here is straightforward: silent sitting in the zendo (meditation hall) with periods of kinhin (walking meditation) to rest the legs. Noble silence means no talking or eye contact between sitters — it's not punitive, just a container that quiets the social mind and lets you focus inward. Longer blocks of zazen (typically 25–40 minutes per period) feel different from shorter sits; the mind often settles deeper once it stops expecting the bell every few minutes.

Great Vow Zen Monastery practices in the Soto Zen tradition, which emphasizes shikantaza — just sitting, without trying to achieve anything. There's no koan work or intensive dokusan in a typical zazenkai. The teacher's role is mainly to hold the space and offer brief instruction at the start.