"I have gotten so much from practicing with ZCO. It's given me a whole new life. I have come to trust these teachers more and more over time.
Not only are their retreats powerful and wonderful, but they're extremely reasonably priced.
I think this place is underrated. I highly recommend it."
Highly Rated Retreats in Clatskanie Oregon
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Types of Retreat in Clatskanie Oregon
Short Retreats in Clatskanie Oregon
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Upcoming Retreats in Clatskanie Oregon
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Experiences on Retreat
"🙏🙏🙏"
"I have attended some retreats in person. I am glad to have the experience. With Zoom I felt included, and it makes it easier for me to carry the meditations over in my daily life.
The retreat has of course a zen background but any faith or non faith could follow it. This is a yearly retreat about death and loss in our lives. I benefited from the guided visionary meditation. The talks were easy to follow and many were funny. The teachers read from a couple of books wrote by living practitioners that have struggled with both. I have since downloaded both books and will listen to them again.
The teachers would spend 50 min. each day listening to those of us on zoom. And we could ask questions and advise. It felt like our own little community.
Plan to attend every year.
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"A wonderful retreat that broadened my perspective on self and non-self. The teachers are well-informed and explain things in easy to understand language."
"Heart of Wisom is a wonderful facility. Everyone is so friendly and helpful--from the check-in person to the two dharma teachers, to the participants. They are very flexible and accomodating for people with special needs to allow an optimal experience. Every session and insturction was very well thought out. They provided really yummy snacks and lunch was fabulous! Yum, (all eaten mindfully)! In the afternoon there was a dharma talk by Kodo and then everyone broke up into small groups (in different parts of the building) to discuss how to bring into our daily life the dharma principles that were shared. It was a delightful and restorative experience. Yeah whooppee Buddha!"
"I have been attending one day retreats at ZCO’s Heart of Wisdom temple for many years. The retreats are always great; they give my practice a real boost. I would recommend the one day retreats to those who want to try out more intense Zen meditation sessions before they commit to a longer retreat. And the lunches can be inspirational, too! "
"The teachers and community here are amazing. I highly recommend it. "
"I was touched deeply spending and evening and a day in community with ZCO. with the guidance of Kodo and Kosho I feel like I have better clarity on my vows and the path I want to take in life. I have been coming to HoW for about 3 months and feel more deeply connected to the people and place after this weekend. Thank you for all you do!"
"My experience was a deep and rich retreat. Resulting in my practice being inspired and nourished.
I am unable to attend retreats and sessions in person due to physical limitations. Want to express my gratitude for these online practice opportunities and the connection they offer."
"Was there for a Loving-Kindness weekend retreat. Such a wonderful space for practice. There is a large plot of land that the monastery is on, perfect for walking around during the breaks on a trail or checking out the garden. The residents seemed like one big family and welcomed us retreat participants in with open arms, so thank you!
The schedule involved lots of sitting and walking meditation in the zendo, which may seem daunting at first if you haven't been to an intensive retreat, but allowed for you to get deeper into your practice. It was a silent retreat, which also sounds scary but allowed one to focus on loving-kindness even outside of the zendo as opposed to small talk with the others participants during free time. All around 10 out of 10"
"My afternoon at the Great Vow Monastery was marked by kindness and welcome from start to finish. I look forward to returning soon.
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"This was a beautiful experience.
We honored our son and spent a peaceful heartwarming afternoon at the monastery.
Added plus, the dinner was great!
Thank you to all who shared the gift of the Jizo Garden"
"The day flowed nicely. Great food, dharma, and people!"
"This silent meditation retreat was perfect for anyone, including beginners.
The Great Vow Zen Monastery is a beautiful, peaceful place.
The pace was very good and everyone did a great job observing noble silence.
All the helpers and instructors were gracious and mindful.
The food and accommodations were excellent.
I am trying to find the best time to return, as soon as possible.
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"This retreat was an amazing experience. We met with the teacher every day for questions and it really helped me open up to the practice. They were very accommodating to my food restrictions. The beds were comfy, and the grounds are beautiful. If you are thinking of doing a retreat here I highly recommend it!"
"This was my first meditation retreat and even though it was just for the weekend, it was profound. The residents here are wonderful, the food was delicious, and the grounds are serene. I'll be back :)"
"This was my third silent retreat at Great Vow Zen, and I always feel deeply restored and cared for throughout my time with them. They are attuned to anxieties in the space, offer wonderful tips and pathways for practice, and of course the space and setting is gorgeous and serene. "
"I have attended a number of sesshins at Great Vow Zen Monastery. I just got back from the May, "The Light of our Ancestors" sesshin. The teachings are always fantastic, the sangha is incredibly welcoming and the grounds are beautiful. They recently added another 25 acres to the property. Many Bows_/|\_"
"I just finished the Beginner's Mind weekend retreat at Great Vow (I've been several times before), and the experience was absolutely beautiful. I always leave the monastery feeling more deeply connected to myself and uplifted and refreshed in my practice. There are so many aspects of the experience that make it rich, from the wholehearted community and the wise and thoughtful teachers, to the deliciously prepared food, the very loved and cherished grounds/forests, and the Jizo garden....and so much more. ZCO is truly a special community that I feel so very grateful to share time and space with. I highly recommend all of their experiences (shorter retreats, sesshins, day workshops.....don't wait to sign up – your mind/body/heart will thank you!)."
"I attended a one-day introduction to Zen practices. I was so pleasantly surprised with how lovely the experience was, in various ways- giving attention to how to sit and to care for the body while meditating was something i have longed to hear, the introduction was just enough of a sweet taste with experiential learning, all taught with gentleness and respect for all. Teachers were humble and kind, and knowledgable as well, how beautiful."
"After attending several Sunday services at Great Vow, my life has begun transforming in many positive ways. The practice of Buddhism and mindfulness can be integrated into everyday life, but this place and these people, this sangha makes Great Vow exceptional. "
"The retreat was well organized and I felt fully supported in my practice. The q and a session helped so much with the struggle I was having with my inner critic and I was able to move into a place of compassion. The retreat gave me a great opportunity to connect with myself in a way I never had before."
"It was by far my best sesshin experience ever. I noticed some distinct quality changes from years past, however. I recognize that change is continual and the staff was almost completely new to me (my last stay was @2018). I noticed the meals were less appetizing than ever before. The lighting in the dorm area was dark even in the evenings. I would turn on a lamp in the common area and someone else would turn it off. Most of the others in attendance were younger and I guess wanted to save energy. I am in my seventies and safety is a concern for me so I craved lighting. I would have appreciated respect around that.
I had some health reactions during the sesshin and appreciated the care and compassion of the shuso. He was wonderful!
Despite my ups and downs I had less fatigue and aches than years past. Yay!!
I learned that it was going to snow on the last night and that would impact road conditions driving home on Sunday. I made plans to leave on Saturday and told a roshi. He commented that weathermen always get it wrong. As a result of his comment, I felt uncomfortable with my choice though I knew it was best for me. I would have appreciated compassion from him instead. "
"I reallly love the quarterly Saturday Zazenkai one-day format.
I really appreciate the Heart of Wisdom Temple. I find it to be a beautiful, friendly, and supportive place to practice--inside and outside in the gardens of the temple. They also manage the Covid restrictions very skillfully. I freuently attend during the week on Zoom using the hybrid technology.
I learn from the various practice opportunities: zazen, walking meditation--slow and fast, work practice, mindful eating practice (and really yummy food!), and the inspireing and insightful dharma talks. Shonin yesterday shared on Hakuin Zenji (and the painting that the community has at the temple.) All of this helps me bring deep mindfulness and skillfull intention into my daily life!
Bows and immense appreciation,
:-) TeiYu-Bob
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"the facility is well tended. the food is fresh and wholesome. the resident hosts are welcoming. the retreat was structured to provide manageable sit sessions integrated with instruction, orientation, guidance and breaks. "
"Great Vow Zen Monastery is an inclusive, welcoming, reflective community of deep practice. They offer a rich, diverse schedule of retreat offerings through the year - there is something there for everyone.
COMMUNITY: A residential community of practitioners hold a strong container to step into. The residential community is a warm blend of different ages, genders, types and durations of practice. The broader, non-residential community is a colorful tapestry of practitioners ranging across sanghas, geographies, and branches of practice.
LOCATION: The rural location very close to a river is tranquil. I've seen deer wandering by the meadow through the window of the meditation hall. There are birds, bees, creatures of all kinds. The grounds are extensive and there is room to roam. The property sits in a very rural area. I've been to a half dozen retreats now at Great Vow and recommend it strongly to anyone interested in starting, continuing, restarting, or deepening a meditation practice.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Visitors stay in dorm-style rooms, often two beds to a curtained space. There is the perfect amount of space for a retreat, with simple shelves available so people can easily access their things. Restrooms and showers are shared but there are multiple options. It's a simple, comfortable place to stay.
FOOD: The meals are home-made, by meditation practitioners. Much of the food is grown on the grounds. Meals are vegetarian by default, and gluten free / vegan / diary free / etc. options are available upon request.
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"Monkey Brian killed me but was able to really take away some food points of view and some really cool dharma teachings. I’m band new it all of this but I learned so much and have nothing but a stronger desire to lean even more and live the Buddhist life .
Thanks Guys! "
"Wonderful event! Loved the ceremony and ritual of making jizo and the tea discussion afterwards."
"I found my weekend of meditation practice at Great Vow (with ZCO) to be a great period of practice, perhaps to a surprising degree for me. Thank you for hosting and running the event. Would not hesitate to recommend their retreats to anyone interested (I have only attended the 2-3 day/weekend retreats myself)"
"The residents of GVM have created the ideal conditions for a successful meditation retreat. Quiet, comfortable, excellent spiritual guidance, good food and kindness of heart for their visitors. For experienced Buddhist meditators, whatever their tradition, a retreat at GVM cannot be more highly recommended. "