Hazy Moon Sesshin

Hazy Moon is a traditional six-day sesshin — the core Zen retreat format. You sit zazen (Zen meditation) in silence for 7–10 hours each day, broken into periods of roughly 25–40 minutes with walking meditation (kinhin) in between. Meals are formal and silent, eaten in the zendo (meditation hall) using oryoki bowls. There's also work practice, chanting services, and short teaching talks from the teacher.

Dokusan — private meetings with the teacher — are offered throughout. These are not counseling; they're typically brief, focused exchanges where you report your practice and receive guidance. In sesshin, the schedule is strict and externally structured so your attention can turn inward.

This is residential, so you sleep, eat, and sit at the center for the full six days. What to expect: early wake-up (typically 4:30–5:00 a.m.), limited talking outside formal meals, simple accommodations, and a day of rest or reduced schedule partway through. Bring warm layers (meditation halls are unheated) and comfortable sitting clothes. If you've never sat sesshin, it's demanding — the length and silence can surprise people — but it's designed to be accessible to beginners willing to show up and follow the schedule.