It is generally recommended to attend a one-day retreat (Zazenkai) or a two-day weekend sesshin every month, and a week-long sesshin once or twice a year.

Sesshin means “unify the mind” and is a multi-day retreat where we can truly immerse and go deep in our zazen over an extended period of time.

Retreats typically includes eight to twelve periods of zazen (seated meditation) each day, 25 to 40 minutes each, with 10 to 15 minute periods of kinhin (walking meditation) between zazen periods. The meditation periods interweave with liturgy service, meals, a period of work practice (samu), and short rest breaks, all engaged with full mindfulness.

During retreat, the teacher gives daily Dharma talks and individual direction is offered in private meetings (dokusan or daisan) with the teacher or assistant teacher.

Noble silence is maintained throughout retreats.