Autumn Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat

A one-day zazenkai (meditation gathering) is a concentrated taste of sesshin practice—longer sitting periods than a typical weekly sitting, compressed into a single day. This format suits people who can't commit to multi-day retreats, or who want to test their capacity for sustained zazen before signing up for a longer program.

The structure is straightforward: you'll sit in longer blocks than usual, likely with kinhin (walking meditation) between periods. Noble silence means no talking, socializing, or eye contact; this simplifies the day and lets attention settle. Most zazenkai run from morning through late afternoon, with a break for lunch. Come prepared to sit still for 30–50 minutes at a stretch, multiple times.

Great Vow Zen Monastery is based in Oregon. If you're local or nearby, this is a low-barrier entry point to the community. If you're traveling, a single day may be feasible where a three-day sesshin isn't.