Zen Retreats

Silent retreat includes meditation, mindful movement, chanting, mindful eating, dharma teaching and meeting with the teacher. For many practitioners, even a single-day retreat (Zazenkai) helps rekindle the depth of zazen and restore harmony between body, heart and mind.

Zazenkai (a day of Zen) is suitable for beginners who are able to sustain a number of 25-minute zazen periods, which are interspersed with walking and tea breaks. Our 2026 dates: February 1, April 4, June 7, August 2, October 11

Sesshin (multi-day “connecting heart-mind”) are suitable for people who have attended at least a one-day silent retreat. Our annual 3-day residential Sesshin in Germantown MD is October 29 to November 1.

Our weekend community Zen Mountain retreat is July 24-26 in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Our annual women’s sesshin is in spring 2027.

Please see our CALENDAR for upcoming Zen retreats.

What happens at a Zen retreat?

We practice extended periods of Zazen and mindful movement with others in a simplified schedule.
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.
We rest ourselves with tea and rest breaks. We are supported by each other.
Zazenkai at Joyful Mind Zendo is from 2 pm to 8:30 pm. Bring a bag dinner. Snacks and tea/coffee provided. Newcomers can attend 2-6:30 pm.
Sesshin is a residential retreat that include 7-8 hours a day of Zazen. Sesshin becomes quieter and deeper as we drop off our selves and become one with all around us. Sesshins are challenging and transforming.

Photos are from our 2023, 2024 and 2025 Sesshin retreats

Zen Retreats

Silent retreat includes meditation, mindful movement, chanting, mindful eating, dharma teaching and meeting with the teacher. For many practitioners, even a single-day retreat (Zazenkai) helps rekindle the depth of zazen and restore harmony between body, heart and mind.

Please see our CALENDAR for upcoming Zen retreats.

What happens at a Zen retreat?

We practice extended periods of Zazen and mindful movement with others in a simplified schedule.

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.

We rest ourselves with tea and rest breaks. We are supported by each other.

Zazenkai at Joyful Mind Zendo is from 2 pm to 8:30 pm. Bring a bag dinner. Snacks and tea/coffee provided. Newcomers can attend 2-6:30 pm.

Sesshin is a residential retreat that include 7-8 hours a day of Zazen. Sesshin becomes quieter and deeper as we drop off our selves and become one with all around us. Sesshins are challenging and transforming.