Minnesota Zen Meditation Center
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​Intensive Meditation Opportunities

 Contemporary Retreats and Traditional Sesshins

Extended periods of meditation are the backbone of our practice, allowing us the opportunity to quiet our minds in shared silence. At MZMC, we offer sesshins, which include the traditional elements such as liturgy and formal meals with oryoki bowls, and contemporary retreats. All sesshins and retreats include periods of sitting meditation followed by walking meditation, and one-to-one meetings with a teacher. Please register for a retreat at least five days in advance. Click here for more information about what retreats and sesshins are like at MZMC.

If you are new to retreat practice, there are two places to start: for a contemporary-style retreat, try the Beginner's Mind Retreat; if you are interested in traditional retreat practice, take the Zen Forms and Etiquette Class, followed by a Half-day Sesshin.

We offer scholarships for all of our classes, retreats, and events to lower accessibility barriers to people of color, members of other historically marginalized communities, and those who would be prevented from participating by financial need. Look for the scholarship and scholarship supporter rates listed below the description of each retreat. Click here to find out more about scholarships.

Sesshins and Retreats 2021

Please consider the retreat offerings below and click to find more about each type of retreat and register.

  • January 16: One-day Retreat
  • January 30: Beginner's Mind Retreat
  • February 12, 13: Guest Teacher Workshop, Jane Hirshfield
  • February 26-28: Weekend Retreat
  • March 6: Sitting with Sutras
  • March 20: Half-day Sesshin
  • April 3: Beginner's Mind Retreat
  • April 9-11: Weekend Sesshin
  • May 1: One-day Retreat
  • May 14, 15: Guest Teacher Retreat, Zenju Earthlyn Manuel
  • May 22: Beginner's Mind Retreat
  • June 12: Half-day Sesshin
  • June 26: Beginner's Mind Retreat
  • July 9-11: Weekend Retreat
  • August 21: One-day Retreat
  • September 11: Beginner's Mind Retreat
  • September 21-26: Retreat at Hokyoji
  • October 16: Half-day Sesshin
  • October 30: Sitting with Sutras
  • November 13: One-day Retreat
  • November 20: Beginner's Mind Retreat
  • November 28 (7 pm) – December 5 (4 pm): Rohatsu Sesshin

MZMC teachers are often available to offer retreats away from the Center. 
Click here for more information about hosting a retreat in your area.

Location:

Picture
  • Home
  • Programming
    • Introductory Classes
    • Sunday/Tuesday Talks
    • Daily Meditation
    • Calendar
    • Curriculum
    • Classes
    • Retreats
    • Scholarships
    • Mentorship
    • Special Events
    • Youth Programs
    • Initiation and Priest Training
  • Resources
    • Chants and Services
    • Books/Recent Publications
    • Sunday Talks
    • Links
    • Spiritual Care
    • Ceremonies
    • Study of the Okesa
    • Primers
  • Guiding Teachers
    • Ted O'Toole
    • Tim Burkett
    • Tim's Books
    • Tim's Blog
  • Katagiri Project
    • Biography and Lineage
    • Books, Photos, and Videos
    • Audio Archive Project >
      • The Dainin Katagiri Audio Archive
    • Blog
  • About MZMC
    • Teachers
    • Beyond Our Walls
    • Board
    • Building Project
    • Ethics
    • Contact
  • Support MZMC
    • Become a Member
    • Donate
    • Volunteer