October Sesshin – The Ancient Way

Great Vow Zen Monastery's October sesshin is a traditional ten-day retreat that anchors the center's fall practice period. The format is straightforward: silent sitting in the Soto Zen style, where zazen itself is the practice—not a means to an end. There's no koan work here, no framing of enlightenment as a goal. You sit, you show up, and the practice unfolds.

Ten days is long enough to settle past the restlessness of the first few days and actually meet what's present. The retreat is structured around intensive zazen periods, with time for meals, work practice, and rest woven through the day. Most sesshin at Soto centers follow a similar rhythm: early wake-up, multiple sitting periods, kinhin (walking meditation) between sits, formal oryoki meals in the zendo, and evening practice. The atmosphere is quiet and concentrated.

Great Vow is located in rural Oregon and operates on a dana (donation-based) model. The $75 suggested contribution covers lodging and meals for the full ten days—low cost reflects the center's commitment to making practice accessible. Accommodations are monastery-style: simple rooms (mostly shared), communal bathrooms, and a working farm. Bring warm clothes; October in Oregon is cool and damp.