Introduction to Zen Training Weekend

What is this retreat?

This is a structured introduction to Soto Zen practice at Zen Mountain Monastery, one of the largest Zen centers in North America. Over three days, you'll sit zazen (Zen meditation), chant liturgy, work alongside other participants, and have a private dokusan (teacher meeting) — essentially a compressed version of a longer sesshin, designed so you can sample the whole rhythm of formal practice without weeks of commitment.

What to expect daily

The schedule follows a traditional sesshin format: early morning wake, multiple zazen periods (usually 25–40 minutes each, with walking meditation in between), meals in formal oryoki style (eating in silence at your seat), work practice, and evening sitting. You'll receive instruction in how to sit, how to count your breath, and how to navigate the schedule. Dokusan typically happens once during an introductory weekend — a brief one-on-one meeting with the teacher in their room, where you can ask questions or report on your sitting.

The setting

Zen Mountain Monastery sits in the Catskill Mountains, rural enough to feel removed from daily life but accessible from New York City. The physical environment — the zendo (meditation hall), the mountain quiet, the structured day — is part of the teaching. Participants stay on-site in residential rooms.

Who this is for

Explicitly designed for people brand new to Zen. If you've never sat zazen or been to a sesshin, this is a low-risk entry point. The instruction is clear, and the expectation is that you'll be learning the basics, not deepening an existing practice.