May Sesshin – The Light of our Ancestors

Great Vow Zen Monastery is holding its May sesshin, "The Light of our Ancestors," from May 10–16, 2027. A sesshin is an intensive, multi-day Zen meditation retreat; this one is described as silent throughout, with "rigorous zazen" — seated meditation — at its center. The theme points the week toward ancestry: the listing frames the retreat around connecting with one's ancestral roots and drawing on the Dharma teachings of those who came before.

The listing is otherwise thin. No teacher is named, and the center has not published a daily schedule or details about meals, lodging, or what the $75 listed price covers. The retreat is marked as in-person, but whether overnight stay is part of the format isn't stated — contact the monastery through its calendar page before registering. Anyone considering a week of silent, rigorous practice should expect a demanding format; the schedule details that would tell you exactly how demanding haven't been posted yet.