Apple Blossom Sesshin

What to expect

Apple Blossom is a traditional six-day sesshin—the foundational format of Zen monastic practice adapted for lay students. You'll sit zazen (Zen meditation) in stretches of 25–40 minutes, separated by kinhin (walking meditation). The day runs roughly 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with 7–10 hours of formal practice including zazen, chanting, teacher talks, and work practice (samu).

Meals are eaten in oryoki style—formal, mindful, in the meditation hall using nested bowls. This isn't a break from practice; it's practice itself. You'll also have a private dokusan (interview) with the teacher, usually lasting 5–10 minutes, where you can ask about your practice or sit in silence together.

The schedule shape

• Wake at 5:00 a.m., evening practice ends around 9:00 p.m.
• Zazen alternates with kinhin and work periods
• Two to three teacher talks during the retreat
• Dokusan available; sign-up sheet posted daily
• Noble silence maintained throughout—no conversation except with the teacher

Living and logistics

You'll stay on the monastery grounds in a single or shared room. Zen Mountain Monastery is located in the Catskills; the setting supports the inward focus of sesshin. The retreat includes all meals (vegetarian), lodging, and instruction. Bring comfortable dark clothing (loose pants and a plain top for sitting), a meditation cushion if you have one (borrowing available), and toiletries. No phones, reading, or writing during the retreat.

This is a Soto Zen sesshin, which emphasizes shikantaza (just sitting) rather than koan study. The teacher offers guidance but the core practice is zazen itself—sitting without trying to achieve a particular state.