Oceans of Compassion: A Retreat In Service To The Earth

This is a weekend sesshin structured around service work rather than a full meditative schedule. You'll camp at Beverly Beach State Park and split time between sitting practice and organized beach cleanup tied to International Coastal Cleanup Day. The retreat combines traditional Zen forms — zazen (sitting meditation), Dharma talks, kinhin (walking meditation) — with physical service as part of practice itself.

Great Vow Zen Monastery, located in Oregon, practices in the Soto Zen tradition, which emphasizes shikantaza (just sitting) and sees work practice (samu) as inseparable from meditation. On this retreat, beach cleanup becomes that work practice — not separate from Zen, but an expression of it.

Expect an abbreviated sesshin schedule compared to residential retreats: sitting periods in the morning and evening, Dharma talks during the day, work practice in between. You'll sleep in a tent or vehicle at the state park. Meals are likely communal and simple. This is a good entry point if you're drawn to Zen but want the retreat grounded in something concrete and purposeful.