City Refuge Retreat

Please join us at Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple for an in-city meditation retreat, offering a taste of the deeper rhythm and structure of a multi-day Zen sesshin.

This three-day, non-residential retreat includes many of the elements found in sesshin at Great Vow. The schedule will follow a format similar to our one-day zazenkai, with the addition of oryoki meals. If you have an oryoki set, please bring it; otherwise, sets will be available to borrow.

The retreat will be held in silence.

Part-time participation is possible, though you are strongly encouraged to attend at least the morning or afternoon sessions on Thursday and Friday, and to join for the full day on Saturday. Any part-time schedule must be approved by the teacher before the retreat. Please reach out to Kodo for approval.

Cost: $120. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Because of the increased intensity of this retreat, prior participation in a Zazenkai at Heart of Wisdom or a comparable daylong intensive at another Dharma center is required before registering. If you have questions, please contact Kodo.

This retreat is in-person only.

Thursday

• 7:30 a.m. Zazen
• 9:00 a.m. Service
• 9:30 a.m. Break
• 9:50 a.m. Work Circle (work practice includes cleaning, cooking, or gardening.)
• 11:20 a.m. Zazen
• 12:30 p.m. Oryoki Lunch
• 2:00 p.m. Zazen
• 3:00 p.m. Dharma Talk
• 3:40 p.m. Break
• 4:00 p.m. Zazen
• 4:30 p.m. Formal Tea
• 5:00 p.m. End

Optional: Stay for the regular Thursday evening program from 7:00–8:30 p.m.

Friday

Same as Thursday, with the addition of:

• 5:30 p.m. Oryoki Dinner
• 6:50–8:30 p.m. Zazen

Saturday

Same as Thursday, ending at 5:00 p.m.