Retreat
1-Day Beginner’s Meditation Class (Online)
Nancy Bonardi
January 25, 2025
Event Description This class is designed for newcomers to meditation interested in an online retreat. You’ll learn basics of meditation and how to choose the environment, time of day, and equipment for meditation that work best for you. In our one-day online meditation class, you will learn the fundamentals of sitting meditation, including: proper postures, […]
1-Day Retreat
David Listen
February 8, 2025
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.
Beginner's Meditation Workshop
Yan Xi Fashi
February 14 - 17, 2025
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.
5-Day Beginner's Meditation Workshop
Yan Xi Fashi
April 5 - 10, 2025
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 (Online)
Nancy Bonardi
April 19, 2025
This retreat is designed for newcomers to meditation interested in an online retreat. You’ll learn basics of meditation and how to choose the environment, time of day, and equipment for meditation that work best for you.
Foundation Retreat
Rebecca Li
April 25 - 27, 2025
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 16 - 18, 2025
Enjoy a two-day break to settle your mind, allowing you to maintain a constant awareness of your every activity.
Silent Illumination Retreat
Rebecca Li
May 24 - 31, 2025
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.
Life in a Retreat Center
June 14 - 21, 2025
We are excited to 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.
Silent Illumination Retreat
Zarko Andricevic
June 28 - July 5, 2025
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 19 - 26, 2025
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.
Silent Illumination Workshop
Abbot Guo Yuan
August 15 - 17, 2025
In this Silent Illumination workshop, you will gain a deep understanding of the silent illumination method through engaging discussions and learning by Ven. GuoYuan sharing and teaching. You'll discover how to apply this approach to cultivate wisdom, both in the classroom and in your everyday experiences. Ultimately, you have the option to make this method a main part of your practice.
Beginner's Mind Retreat
Rebecca Li
August 22 - 24, 2025
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.
8-Day Silent Illumination Retreat
Abbot Guo Yuan
August 30 - September 7, 2025
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.
1-Day Retreat & Dharma Discussion (Optional Overnight)
David Listen
September 20 - 21, 2025
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.
Beginner's Meditation Class
Yan Xi Fashi
September 26 - 28, 2025
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.
Western Zen Retreat
Rebecca Li
October 3 - 8, 2025
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
David Slaymaker
October 17 - 19, 2025
Enjoy a two-day break to settle your mind, allowing you to maintain a constant awareness of your every activity.
Weekend Retreat
David Slaymaker
November 14 - 16, 2025
Enjoy a two-day break to settle your mind, allowing you to maintain a constant awareness of your every activity.
1-Day Retreat
David Listen
November 22, 2025
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 - 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.