Tuesday – Sunday · 6 days
10–15
November 2026

True Refuge Week: Self-Directed Intensive Practice for MRO Students

with MRO Teachers and Senior Staff·Zen

Zenresidentialzazenchantingby-application

Week-long intensive for Mountains and Rivers Order formal training students, limited to nine participants. Combines structured zazen, meals, and liturgy with self-directed practice shaped by individual goals — an alternative to traditional sesshin format.

About this retreat

This retreat is structured for people already committed to formal training within the MRO lineage. The nine-person cap and student-only restriction signal a close-knit, focused group — not an introduction to Zen practice or the center.

The format itself is worth noting: "self-directed intensive" means this isn't a traditional sesshin with a set schedule imposed on all participants. You have structured zazen and communal meals and liturgy, but your individual practice within that frame — what you focus on, how you approach the sitting — is shaped by your own intentions and aspirations. This requires some maturity as a practitioner; it's not a retreat where the schedule carries you.

The center has not published a teacher, detailed daily schedule, or lodging information. Contact the signup page for specifics on what to expect and how to apply.

Register for this retreat

Schedules can change — confirm details on Zen Mountain Monastery's website.

Full details from Zen Mountain Monastery

A week-long intensive practice retreat for formal training students in the Mountains and Rivers Order, limited to nine participants. The retreat combines structured zazen, meals, and liturgy with self-directed practice shaped by individual aspirations, offering an alternative to traditional sesshin.

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