Clouds in Water Retreat

Hokyoji Zen Practice Community hosts this spring weekend sesshin in the Soto Zen tradition—a school emphasizing sitting practice (zazen) as the core of training, with less emphasis on koan work than Rinzai Zen. A weekend sesshin typically follows a structured daily schedule: early morning sitting periods, walking meditation (kinhin) between sits, meals taken in silence in the meditation hall (oryoki style or community dining depending on the center), and private meetings with the teacher (dokusan) for those who request them.

Weekend sits are entry-level in intensity—shorter and less austere than week-long or month-long sesshin—but they maintain the essential format: noble silence throughout, a bell-based schedule, minimal reading or writing, and undivided attention to sitting. This is a good stepping stone if you've done day-sits or weekend zazen groups and want to experience what residential retreat rhythm feels like.

Visit cloudsinwater.org for the complete schedule, pricing, lodging options, and registration details.