2026 Spring Practice Period: Nothing Lacking, Continuous Practice

This practice period takes its title and framing from one of Zen's foundational stories: the supposed poetic exchange between the Northern School master Shenxiu and the Sixth Patriarch Huineng about the nature of awakening. The retreat poses it as an open question rather than settled doctrine—Is practice cultivation or recognition? Effort or already-completeness?—and uses five weeks to sit with that inquiry.

The structure combines daily individual sitting with weekly instruction and talks, punctuated by two online sesshins: a one-day sit and a three-day sit embedded in the five weeks. This is a common model for practice periods at SFZC—sustained engagement without the intensity of a single long retreat, allowing participants to maintain their usual lives while committing to daily practice and periodic deeper dives.

As an online program, participants join from home. The center has not published details about session times, how the weekly classes are conducted, or how the online sesshins will be structured. Contact Green Gulch Farm Zen Center directly for specifics on schedule, registration, and what you'll need to participate fully.