Sesshin Information and Registration
2026 Sesshin: Tuesday Evening, April 21st – Sunday Noon, April 26th
We gather for ONE full Sesshin (residential silent retreat) each year, we hope you will join us!
- Sesshin 2026: Tuesday Evening, April 21st – Sunday Noon, April 26th
We rent a beautiful retreat space out of town (Hull Park & Lodge, right outside Sandy, Oregon) with lodging and a kitchen, and sesshin participation is also possible online (in our Cloud Zendo). Note that the Sesshin Zoom is not the same as the regular Bright Way Zen Zoom; you will receive the Sesshin Zoom link when you register.
Sesshin Description and Participation Options
Dirt Zendo/Pacific Time Zone Schedule
Cloud Zendo Sesshin Schedule (Translated into 8 Time Zones)
Register for the 2026 Sesshin:
In the meantime…
JOIN US: Wednesday, October 22nd – Saturday, October 25th
Continuous Practice Retreat
We will hold a Continuous Practice Retreat from Wednesday through Saturday in our Cloud Zendo and our (home) Dirt Zendo.We practice together in the Cloud Zendo in the mornings and evenings, and add the option of Dirt Zendo participation for the midday and afternoon parts of the retreat. The idea is that, as a Sangha, we keep a thread of continuous practice going all the way between our regular Tuesday meeting and our Sunday meeting, no matter what we are doing.
SESSHIN DESCRIPTION & PARTICIPATION OPTIONS
Attendance Options
Full-time participation is strongly encouraged, this is a precious opportunity! On the first day (Tuesday), the Dirt Zendo retreat begins with arrival and dinner between 4 and 6pm (Pacific Time) and the Cloud Zendo retreat begins with zazen at 8pm Pacific. Click here for the sesshin schedule translated into 8 different time zones. Sesshin ends at noon on the last day (Sunday).
Part-time Participation Options:
Part-time participation in the Cloud Zendo: Attend any days or parts of the schedule you choose. Note that the Sesshin Zoom is not the same as the regular Bright Way Zen Zoom; you will receive the Sesshin Zoom link when you register.
Part-time participation in the Dirt Zendo (at the retreat facility): Note: Late arrival to sesshin is only available to those who have been to sesshin with us before, because the first day’s orientation to sesshin is very important. For part-time participation, you can:
- Begin the sesshin with us and leave on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, for a minimum of two nights and one full day;
- If you have sat sesshin with us before, you may arrive the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th days (Wed, Thurs, or Fri) at 6pm, for a minimum of two nights and one full day (no Saturday arrivals)
Covid Measures
Dirt Zendo participants will be asked to test negative via a rapid COVID test before/upon arrival at sesshin (we will have some extra tests), and to stay home and participate via the Cloud Zendo instead if they have/develop any cold or flu-like symptoms. Masks are optional.
Coming from Out of Town?
We love to have Bright Way Zen Sangha Members who do not live locally and who usually participate via our Cloud Zendo join us in three dimensions for our sesshin! Please let us know if you are planning to come from out of town; we should be able to arrange transportation and accommodations before and after the retreat as necessary. Also let us know if you need financial help covering travel costs, we hope to provide some crowd-funded assistance as needed!
Sesshin Cost
Sesshin suggested donations includes lodging and meals, ending with a community lunch on the last day. The suggested donations below are set to allow us to break even – to pay our expenses including food and renting the retreat center.
However, we don’t want anyone to be unable to practice with us because of financial limitations. Our Suggestion Donation Policy invites you to pay what you can without hardship. If you can donate extra to help cover others, it is much appreciated.
Dirt Zendo Full Time (Tues-Sun, 5 nights)
Single Occupancy (if available*): $675
Double Occupancy (two twin beds)**: $525
RV: $525
Tent: $450
Dirt Zendo 4 Nights (Wed-Sun or Tues-Sat)
Single Occupancy (if available*): $580
Double Occupancy (two twin beds)**: $460
RV: $460
Tent: $400
Dirt Zendo 3 nights (Thurs-Sun or Tues-Fri)
Single Occupancy (if available*): $490
Double Occupancy (two twin beds)**: $400
RV: $400
Tent: $355
Dirt Zendo 2 nights (Fri-Sun or Tues-Thurs)
Single Occupancy (if available*): $400
Double Occupancy (two twin beds)**: $340
RV: $340
Tent: $310
Cloud Zendo: Suggested donation for full time participation is $250. Donate what you feel is right for part time participation.
*All rooms can accommodate two people. Single occupancy may not be available if we run out of rooms (this has not happened to us so far); those 60 or older and those with health issues will be given priority in the assignment of single rooms.
** Go ahead and request double occupancy even if you snore; we may be able to pair you with another snorer who is willing to use earplugs.
