In Person
Winter Retreat Session I - Foundation
Abbot Guo Yuan
December 19 - 21, 2025
The annual Winter Retreat, also known as the Snow Retreat, is designed to provide an intensive meditation practice experience. Session 1 of the Winter Retreat, the Foundation retreat, will take place from 12/26/2023 to 01/04/2025.
Winter Retreat Session II - Huatou
Abbot Guo Yuan
December 26, 2025 - January 3, 2026
The annual Winter Retreat, also known as the Snow Retreat, is designed to provide an intensive meditation practice experience. In this 9-day retreat, you will have the opportunity to practice the huatou with total dedication.
Winter Retreat Session III - Silent Illumination
Abbot Guo Yuan
January 4 - 18, 2026
The annual Winter Retreat, also known as the Snow Retreat, is designed to provide an intensive meditation practice experience. In this 15-day Silent Illumination retreat, together we will embody lucid spaciousness.
Beginner's Meditation Class
Yan Xi Fashi
March 20 - 22, 2026
Join our Beginner's Meditation Class to explore the foundational practices of meditation. You’ll learn essential techniques for sitting meditation, including proper postures using a cushion, bench, or chair, as well as basic concentration methods and key principles to deepen your understanding of Chan meditation.
7-Day Huatou Retreat
Abbot Guo Yuan
March 27 - April 4, 2026
In this Huatou Retreat, the method will be taught in the context of daily life activities to investigate the Huatou anytime, anywhere whether you are sitting, standing, walking, sleeping, working, and eating.
Beginner's Meditation Class
Yan Xi Fashi
April 17 - 19, 2026
Join our Beginner's Meditation Class to explore the foundational practices of meditation. You’ll learn essential techniques for sitting meditation, including proper postures using a cushion, bench, or chair, as well as basic concentration methods and key principles to deepen your understanding of Chan meditation.
Foundation Retreat
Rebecca Li
April 24 - 26, 2026
Reconnect with your body and mind in Chan practice. The retreat schedule that alternates between sitting meditation with various forms of moving meditation is designed to help you harmonize the body and mind. Both in stillness and in motion, you will learn to cultivate clarity and stability of mind amidst all that you do.
Weekend Retreat
David Listen
May 8 - 10, 2026
Enjoy a two-day break to settle your mind, allowing you to maintain a constant awareness of your every activity.
7-Day Silent Illumination Retreat
Rebecca Li
May 23 - 30, 2026
This traditional 7-day retreat provides time and space for dedicated practitioners to learn, practice and cultivate the Chan method of Silent Illumination. Simple yet difficult, with focused practice you may encounter an opening that allows you to come to rest and find peace, a lucid spaciousness and clear Dharma insight.
Weekend Retreat
David Listen
June 5 - 7, 2026
This in-person weekend retreat has a simple schedule that allows you to settle your mind while at the same time, allowing you to maintain a constant awareness of your every activity.
7-Day Silent Illumination Retreat
Zarko Andricevic
June 26 - July 4, 2026
Facilitated with warmth, humor and ease, the teaching and methods of Zarko Andricevic will be presented the method of Silent Illumination of Caodong sect through Chan practice instruction, Dharma talks, and individual interviews being adapted to modern practitioners.
Entryway to Intensive Retreat
David Listen
July 11 - 18, 2026
This is a full seven-day meditation retreat, designed for people newer to practice and experienced practitioners alike.The retreat schedule is tailored to the development of concentration and ease—not too tight, not too loose.
Life in a Retreat Center
Chang Yuan Fashi, Chang Ji Fashi and Yan Xi Fashi
July 25 - 31, 2026
We are excited to once again introduce the "Life in the Retreat Center" project, designed to provide individuals in early adulthood (ages 18-35) with a cost-free opportunity to immerse themselves in the different facets of DDRC retreat life.
Beginner's Mind Retreat
Rebecca Li
August 21 - 23, 2026
A "beginner's mind" is a mind open to experiencing life in the present moment, free from preconceived notions and expectations -- a mind open to genuine understanding and self-realization. If you are new to meditation practice, or have never participated in a retreat, this is an ideal way to begin your spiritual journey.
Huatou Workshop
Abbot Guo Yuan
August 28 - 30, 2026
In this Huatou workshop, you will gain a deep understanding of the method through engaging discussions and teachings. You'll discover how to apply this approach both in the classroom and in your everyday experiences.
7-Day Silent Illumination Retreat
Abbot Guo Yuan
September 5 - 12, 2026
The Silent Illumination method will be taught in the context of daily life activities, such as sitting, standing, walking, sleeping, working, and eating. Chanting and gentle yoga exercises further harmonize the body, breath, and mind. The retreat also includes daily lectures, meditation instruction, guided meditation, and personal interviews.
Weekend Retreat
David Slaymaker
September 25 - 27, 2026
This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to experience the practice of meditation. It is also a fantastic way to treat yourself. Give your “self” a weekend of meditation, experiencing and enjoying the benefits of Chan practice.
Western Zen Retreat
Rebecca Li
October 2 - 7, 2026
Thoroughly confronting this question can take us directly to the center of our being. Over the course of this five-day retreat you will investigate the question "Who am I?" within a standard retreat framework, using silent sitting meditation in conjunction with the communication exercise, a unique method of verbal inquiry. This format allows you to use words to go beyond words and thereby enter the main gate of Chan.
Weekend Retreat
Yan Xi Fashi
October 23 - 25, 2026
Enjoy a two-day break to settle your mind, allowing you to maintain a constant awareness of your every activity.
Beginner's Meditation Class
Yan Wu Fashi
November 6 - 8, 2026
Although methods of meditation may sound simple and straightforward, it is best to practice them under the guidance of a teacher. An experienced teacher will be able to identify and correct common pitfalls that could lead to problems or a lack of useful results.
1-Day Retreat
Yan Wu Fashi
November 14, 2026
Give yourself a day to still the mind through meditation. This silent retreat is non-intensive: the simple and relaxed schedule allows you to settle your mind and maintain a constant awareness of your every activity.
Weekend Retreat
David Slaymaker
November 27 - 29, 2026
This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to experience the practice of meditation. It is also a fantastic way to treat yourself. Give your “self” a weekend of meditation, experiencing and enjoying the benefits of Chan practice.
One-Day Retreat
David Listen
December 12 - 13, 2026
Give yourself a day to still the mind through meditation. This silent retreat is non-intensive: the simple and relaxed schedule allows you to settle your mind and maintain a constant awareness of your every activity.
Winter Retreat Session I - Intensive Retreat
Abbot Guo Yuan
December 26, 2026 - January 2, 2027
The annual Winter Retreat, also known as the Snow Retreat, is designed to provide an intensive meditation practice experience. In the Winter Retreat I: Intensive Retreat, you will practice using a method of your choice under the guidance of the teacher, engage in multiple 45-min sitting periods every day, as well as walking meditation and mindful work practice.
Winter Retreat Session II - Silent Illumination
Abbot Guo Yuan
January 3 - 10, 2027
The annual Winter Retreat, also known as the Snow Retreat, is designed to provide an intensive meditation practice experience. In this 15-day Silent Illumination retreat, together we will embody lucid spaciousness.
Winter Retreat Session III - Huatou
Abbot Guo Yuan
January 11 - 18, 2027
The annual Winter Retreat, also known as the Snow Retreat, is designed to provide an intensive meditation practice experience. In this 7-day retreat, you will have the opportunity to practice the huatou with total dedication.