Zen Retreats-Sesshin and Zazenkai

For many practitioners, even a single day retreat helps rekindle the heart of practice and restores harmony of body, heart and mind.

Zazenkai (a day of Zen) are offered monthly Sundays from 1:30-6:30 p.m. You may stay for the Sunday evening zazen 7-8:30 pm.

Sesshin means “connecting heart-mind” and are multiple days of Zazen typically in a residential setting. Sesshin are suitable for people who have attended extended sitting times or one-day silent retreats. Our annual 3-day residential Sesshin in Germantown MD is October 29 to November 1, 2026. Registration is now open for the Fall Sesshin.

We also offer an annual Summer Zen Mountain retreat with lodging or hiking and camping in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and an annual Women’s Sesshin in Germantown, MD.

Please see our CALENDAR for upcoming Zen retreats.

What happens at a Zen retreat?

• We practice extended periods of silence in Zazen and mindful movement with others in a simplified schedule. We are supported by each other’s strong practice.

• We practice Zen “continuously” with our whole bodies, minds, hearts and Zen spirit as we move throughout the day from zazen to kinhin to meals to chanting, rest, and dharma talks.

• As silent and stillness deepen, we realize more and more who we are.

Photos are from our 2023, 2024 and 2025 Sesshin retreats

Han Joyful Mind Zendo