May Zazenkai 2026

“Silence is not the place you flee to—it is what allows you to stay.” — Tatsudo Nicole Baden Roshi

In Japanese, “Zazenkai” (座禅会) means “to gather for meditation.” That is exactly what we will be doing this weekend. We come together to embrace silence, sit together, and deepen our practice.

The Zazenkai is an opportunity to step out of your everyday patterns for a few days, enter into silence, and reconnect with the practice of Zazen. The structure supports you: sitting, walking, eating, and working all become part of the practice.

What this is

We practice three days together with the residents at Crestone Mountain Zen Center, a place designed to support your practice. We follow a rhythm featuring monastic practices, sutra recitations, a mindfulness ritual for meals (Oryoki), and a tightly structured schedule.

Throughout the weekend, Seishin Laurie Nusbaum Sensei will offer a Dharma talk and/or provide guidance with brief inspirations during Zazen.

If you are longing for an intensive period of immersion in meditation and rituals, this weekend is just right for you.

Who is this for

For beginners, it is an excellent way to experience your first extended sitting session, as no prior experience is required to join our Zazenkais.

For experienced practitioners, it provides the chance to reinvigorate practice, or to experience some spaciousness in otherwise busy lives.

It is important that you feel mentally stable and confident in your ability to handle meditation and silence over this period.

If you have not yet practiced at the CMZC, we ask that you have a brief preliminary conversation with us before participating. We are happy to advise you.

Seminar content

A sample rhythm for the weekend:

Thursday evening

• Arrival
• Introduction to Zazen and Kinhin (silent and walking meditation)
• Welcome dinner
• Introduction to Oryoki (ritualized meals)
• Opening meditation

Friday and Saturday

Daily rhythm includes:

• Wake-up at 4:30 a.m.
• Silent meditation in 30 to 40-minute sessions
• Ritualized meals in silence
• Work practice and temple care
• Dharma talks and/or Dharma inspirations during Zazen

Sunday morning

• Closing meditation
• Brunch
• Departure

Organizational information

Food: Vegan-vegetarian and mostly organic and regional. We accommodate food intolerances on request, to the best of our ability. Please contact our office at guestmanager@dharmasangha.org.

Accommodations: All rooms are equipped with desks, kettles, tea, bed linens, and towels. Wi-Fi is available in all buildings.

Requirements: Psychological and physical stability. Please contact us if you have any questions, or if you are in a difficult life situation.

What you'll take away

• A deep meditation experience: several days of focused sitting and walking in silence.
• Physical grounding: the opportunity to develop the foundations of a stable posture through sitting and walking.
• Mindful eating: Oryoki meals as a ritual for gratitude and presence.
• Resonance in silence: the power of shared practice in a shared space of silence.
• Trust in your own path: a tangible step toward stability and deepening your practice.