Introduction to Zen Training Weekend

This weekend sesshin is explicitly built for people new to Zen practice, which means you'll get structured instruction in zazen (seated meditation) rather than being dropped into an unfamiliar schedule. The retreat spans three days in the Catskills, combining core Zen elements—sitting periods, chanting, work practice, and private meetings with a teacher—in a compressed format designed to give you a clear sense of what monastic training actually feels like.

The schedule mixes sitting with what Zen centers call "body practice" (often yoga or gentle movement), art, and manual work. This isn't typical sesshin austerity; it's a deliberate introduction. You'll have teachings on wisdom and compassion woven through, not just a vow of silence and facing a wall for three days. The stated goal is practical: learn how to sit and establish a rhythm you can carry home.

Dokusan—private meetings with the teacher—is included. These are central to Zen training: the teacher watches how you're practicing and responds to where you actually are, not where you think you should be. In an introductory weekend, this is your chance to ask real questions and get direct feedback.

You'll stay on the grounds and eat communal meals. Bring sitting clothes (dark, comfortable), work clothes, and toiletries. If you've never sat in a group before, this weekend gives you the basics and a small community context. If you've practiced elsewhere, it's a way to explore this particular lineage's approach.