Programs
1-Day Retreat (Online)
David Listen
January 27, 2024
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.
1-Day Beginner’s Meditation Class (Online)
Nancy Bonardi
February 10, 2024
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.
Stillness In Motion 2024
Abbot Guo Yuan, David Listen and Chang Ji Fashi
February 16 - 19, 2024
Come experience the joy of moment to moment awareness and find stillness within. Stillness in Motion 2024 is now being offered as an in-person 3 day event. Through daily Dharma talks, meditation, Arts in Chan sessions and group discussions, we will discover the benefits of Chan practice and how to incorporate it into our lives.
Weekend Retreat
Chang Yao Fashi
March 1 - 3, 2024
Enjoy a two-day break to settle your mind, allowing you to maintain a constant awareness of your every activity.
1-Day Retreat
Chang Yao Fashi
March 9, 2024
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.
Cooking Meditation (& Vegetarian Cooking Class): Health for the Body and Mind
March 22 - 24, 2024
Learn how to make the most of the simple vegetables and seasonings that we can find in our local grocery store. Afterwards, enjoy the meal together, eating with mindful awareness, and chew your way to healthy living!
Huatou Retreat
Abbot Guo Yuan
March 29 - April 6, 2024
For this advanced intensive retreat led by Venerable GuoYuan, a Dharma heir of Chan Master Sheng-Yen, participants will delve into the Huatou method. The program includes Dharma talks and personal interviews, and the integration of Huatou into both intensive retreat as well as in daily life.
Foundation Retreat
Rebecca Li
April 19 - 21, 2024
Dedicate your weekend to practice. On this retreat, you have the chance to engage in a relaxing schedule of mindful activity from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon.
1-Day Retreat (Online)
Nancy Bonardi
April 27, 2024
Join us for an online retreat to practice the principles of Chan meditation.
“Turning the Mind’s Eye Inward”: Meditation with Right View
Gilbert Gutierrez
May 3 - 11, 2024
This retreat will cover all major Chan methods of meditation. It will apply classical Right View to these methods to make the methods more effective. The ancient Chan Masters have stated that for one to practice Chan they must have a “true and proper understanding.”
Silent Illumination Retreat
Rebecca Li
May 25 - June 1, 2024
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 14 - 16, 2024
Enjoy a two-day break to settle your mind, allowing you to maintain a constant awareness of your every activity.
Life in a Retreat Center
June 18 - 25, 2024
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 monastic life.
Silent Illumination Retreat
Zarko Andricevic
June 28 - July 6, 2024
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.
1-Day Retreat & Dharma Discussion (Overnight)
David Listen
July 20 - 21, 2024
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
Yan Xi Fashi
August 16 - 18, 2024
Enjoy a two-day break to settle your mind, allowing you to maintain a constant awareness of your every activity.
Beginner's Mind Retreat
Rebecca Li
August 23 - 25, 2024
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 30 - September 1, 2024
In this Huatou workshop, you will gain a deep understanding of Huatou's methods 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.
Silent Illumination Retreat
Abbot Guo Yuan
September 6 - 14, 2024
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 (Overnight)
David Listen
September 21 - 22, 2024
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 27 - 29, 2024
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 4 - 9, 2024
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.
8-Day Foundation Retreat
David Listen
October 18 - 26, 2024
This is a full seven-day foundation meditation, 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.
1-Day Retreat
Yan Xi Fashi
November 2, 2024
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
Yan Xi Fashi
November 8 - 10, 2024
Enjoy a two-day break to settle your mind, allowing you to maintain a constant awareness of your every activity.
Beginner's Meditation Class
Chang Yao Fashi
November 15 - 17, 2024
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.
Huatou Retreat
Abbot Guo Yuan
November 29 - December 7, 2024
In this Huatou retreat led by venerable GuoYuan, the Huatou 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. Chanting and gentle yoga exercises further harmonize the body, breath, and mind etc. The retreat programs also include daily lectures, meditation instruction, guided meditation, and personal interviews.
Winter Retreat Session 1: Foundation
Abbot Guo Yuan
December 26, 2024 - January 1, 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 01/01/2025.
Winter Retreat Session 2: Silent Illumination
Abbot Guo Yuan
January 2 - 22, 2025
The annual Winter Retreat, also known as the Snow Retreat, is designed to provide an intensive meditation practice experience. Session 2 of the Winter retreat is a 21-day Silent Illumination retreat, which will be held from 1/2/2025 to 01/22/2025.