The reason we practice Zen is to understand ourselves completely and help this world. The suffering we experience in our own lives, and indeed the suffering of our world, comes from our inability to connect with our true self, which is originally compassionate and clear. It's as if the owner of a sophisticated piece of machinery has lost the original instructions that came with it, and has forgotten its original function. The result is confusion and harm. A retreat can be thought of as reacquainting ourselves with the original instructions that came with our model. After his enlightenment, the Buddha said, "How wondrous! Everybody already has it; they just don't know it." Sitting a Zen retreat is a vital part of the process of waking up to our true self. 

Monthly Retreats

The New Haven Zen Center offers one-day retreats most months of the year. Such a retreat runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is followed by an informal lunch. The retreat consists mainly of 30-minute sitting periods separated by 10-minute periods of walking meditation. When the teacher on hand is a Ji Do Poep Sa Nim, such as Guiding Teacher Ken Kessel, or a Zen Master, then those participating in the retreat are offered one-on-one kong-an interviews. When conducted by a Senior Dharma Teacher, then consulting interviews are offered.

Unless specified, retreats cost $65/day for non-members and associate members; $45/day for students, clergy and Kwan Um School of Zen members; and $35/day for Dharma Teachers and Dharma Teachers in training. (No one is turned away for financial reasons. If the fee presents a hardship, please talk to the Head Dharma Teacher for the retreat.) Participants are asked to register at least 48 hours in advance. Beginners are welcome.

See the Upcoming Retreats and News Updates page on this website for future retreats.

From time to time we also host retreats in other formats as well, these include weekend-long Yong Maeng Jong Jin retreats, which feature temple-style meals, Work Retreats and Christian Buddhist Retreats.