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Spring Zazenkai: A One Day Meditation Retreat

Location icon
6401 NE 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97211, USA
Users icon
Up to 22 in group
Date
April 25, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

Experience deeper practice within a container of noble silence. Longer zazen hours and the support of community help reveal to ourselves what we’re capable of and reopen the window of possibility. Make Zazenkai a part of your seasonal practice and join us in keeping the wheel of Dharma turning.

Prerequisite: If you do not have previous retreat experience, please attend an Investigating Zen Practice workshop or one of our regular sitting programs to receive face-to-face Zen meditation instruction before signing up for this retreat. Reach out to how@zendust.org if you have any questions.

Suggested donation includes a vegetarian/vegan lunch. No one turned away for lack of funds. Also, these retreats fill with waitlists. if you cancel your registration, please let us know ASAP so we can give your spot to someone else.

This retreat is held in silence.

7:30 a.m. Zazen
9:00 a.m. Full Chanting Service
9:30 a.m. Break
10:00 a.m. Work Circle (work practice includes cleaning, cooking, or gardening.
11:00 a.m. Zazen
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Zazen
2:00 p.m. Dharma Talk
3:00 p.m. Break
3:30 p.m. Zazen
5:00 p.m. Closing Circle and Temple Cleaning

Please note: This is an approximation; Zazenkai schedules may vary.

This event is in-person only. 

Schedule

This retreat is held in silence.

7:30 a.m. Zazen
9:00 a.m. Service
9:30 a.m. Break
10:00 a.m. Work Circle (work practice includes cleaning, cooking, or gardening.
11:00 a.m. Zazen
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Zazen
2:00 p.m. Dharma Talk / Interviews
3:00 p.m. Break
3:30 p.m. Zazen
5:00 p.m. Closing Circle
5:30 p.m. Temple Cleaning

Please note: This is an approximation; Zazenkai schedules may vary.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Location icon Zen Community of Oregon, 6401 NE 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97211, USA

Accommodation

Meals

Menu Types

What's Included

  • Vegetarian/vegan meal and snacks provided. Please indicate food allergies upon registration.

Customer Reviews

4.92 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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RE: First Retreat at ZCO, The Work (Byron Katie)
I had the privilege of attending a retreat on The Work by Byron Katie, at the Great Vow Zen Monastery.

While I am not a Buddhist, I am interested in the religion, and as a lay person felt welcome and supported by the teachers and residents, who were kind, warm, and supportive.

I learned so much, and highly recommend consideration of the temple's programs in your spiritual and personal development.

5.0
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Transformational experience
I was familiar with Byron Katie’s books before The Work retreat but had no idea how much more I would learn about the process during the 3 days I was at Great Vow. Words cannot explain the tremendous insight on so many levels I received.
The teachers of the retreat were both so kind, skillful and marvelous. They were there to support us every step of the way.
To sum it up I LOVE Great Vow so much! It is my refuge.

5.0
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City Refuge Retreat
3 days of stillness in the city. Great food and companions.

5.0
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Turning the Mirror Inward
Participating in inner criticism is like turning yourself around in front of a mirror—up, down, left, right, front, and back—so that you can truly see yourself clearly. You must be brave and honest enough to face your true self—the depths of your own heart. Inside, there is good and evil, light and darkness, and a tangled mix of disguise and authenticity intertwined with your external relationships.

It takes courage to see and honesty to confront this stubborn “self” and the attachment to “ego.” From my own learning experience, this is only the first step in self-cleansing. It may take years of self-acceptance (often a painful process) and the wisdom to protect that inner self. Only by taking this first step can one truly begin the practice of cultivating the mind and nurturing goodness.

I am deeply grateful to Teacher Jogen for his guidance to beginners in meditation. His approach is both kind and down-to-earth, and he highlighted the importance of turning our awareness inward. I am also thankful for all his teachings and final reminders. Through persistent daily meditation and prayer (self-reflection), we can cultivate the mind and nurture goodness.

4.0
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New Member Tea
Glad I attended as it gave me more insight into why sangha matters. I had felt seperate from others, I think because my 'usual' way of relating, mostly through conversation, simply had not had nor made many opportunities as I sat at home on zoom, or even as I attended zazenkais over the last many couple of years.

I appreciate the opportunity to share and to ask questions of interest to me.
Thank you.

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