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, July 25 (mountain retreat), August 29, October 11, November 29
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, with Saturday July 25 being a Zazenkai. 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.
It is customary to offer Dana (monetary gift) to your teacher for their service during any retreat. Offering Dana is an act of gratitude that deepens the heart and affirms sincerity in our practice and gratefulness for the longstanding tradition.
Photos are from our 2023, 2024 and 2025 Sesshin retreats
Han Joyful Mind Zendo