Introduction to Zen Training Weekend

What to expect

This is a structured introduction to formal Zen training. A weekend sesshin (intensive retreat) at Zen Mountain Monastery follows a traditional daily schedule: early morning zazen (sitting meditation), kinhin (walking meditation between sits), formal meals, dokusan (private meetings with a teacher), and work practice. The curriculum here expands beyond the sitting itself — you'll learn liturgy (chanting and bowing), explore art and body practice as part of Zen training, and receive instruction on how to sit.

The Catskill setting matters. Zen Mountain Monastery sits on a mountain campus in upstate New York, which shapes the retreat experience — the environment itself is part of the practice. Three days is enough time to settle into the rhythm without overwhelming newcomers.

Format

This is residential and in-person. Plan to arrive Friday and leave Sunday afternoon. The retreat runs in continuous silence (noble silence) except for structured teaching and dokusan.

Who it's for

Explicitly designed for people new to Zen, but also open to practitioners returning to intensive practice. If you've never sat a full day or attended a sesshin, this is a reasonable entry point — it includes instruction and is framed as introductory.