Ocean Gathering Sesshin

Ocean Gathering is a traditional six-day sesshin — the Zen format of continuous, silent practice. Expect a full schedule: you'll sit zazen (Zen meditation) in blocks throughout the day, broken by kinhin (walking meditation), formal meals eaten in silence at your cushion, and work practice. Chanting services are part of the rhythm. You'll have one-on-one time with a teacher (dokusan) to clarify your practice.

This is communal practice. The schedule runs together; there's no option to opt out of parts of it. Residential means you stay on-site for the full six days. The $295 covers lodging and meals. Bring warm clothes — zazen halls are kept cool, and May mornings in New York can be cold. Plan to arrive by evening on the 25th; departure is morning of the 31st.

Fire Lotus Temple is the New York Zen Center's practice space. If you haven't sat sesshin before, go in knowing that the first days are often the hardest — your legs will ache, your mind will wander, and the silence can feel loud. By day four or five, most people find a rhythm. That's the point.