January Intensive Five Day Sesshin, GGF 1/21–1/26

Practice Center
Date / Time
Jan 21, 2026 / 4:00pm - Jan 26, 2026 / 4:30pm
Event Type
Sitting Meditation & Sesshins
Description

Wednesday, January 21, 4 pm—Monday, January 26, 4:30 pm

Sesshin, meaning "to gather, collect, and convey the mind-heart," is a traditional Soto Zen meditation retreat that includes formal zendo meals, Dharma talks, sitting and walking meditation, and private interviews with senior teachers. In order to understand the nature of our formal retreats, and to be clear about the details of the practice, please review a typical sesshin schedule, as well as the guidelines for zendo conduct. We ask those who attend sesshin to commit to following these guidelines and to participating in the schedule completely. If you have questions regarding the schedule or guidelines, please consult with the head of the meditation hall, the ino, via email (ggfino@sfzc.org) before completing your registration.

Because this In-Person Sesshin takes place during the January Intensive, it is only open to those with previous sesshin experience. Participants should be familiar with sesshin forms such as oryoki, as there will not be a sesshin orientation or oryoki instruction on arrival day. Also please note that housing may be limited to shared rooms only.

Please plan to arrive at Green Gulch Farm on Wednesday, January 21 by 4:00 pm, in order to settle in before dinner at 6:00 pm. The sesshin will begin that evening after dinner and conclude on Monday, January 26 at 4:30 pm.

To apply for this sesshin, begin by completing this form.

Once you have been approved for the sesshin, you will be sent an email that will include a link through which you can process your payment and complete your registration.

Fee Information
  • Guest House, Single Room - $840
  • Guest House, Shared Room - $683 per person
  • Single student housing (as available) - $730
  • Shared student housing (as available) - $562

San Francisco Zen Center Members receive a 10% discount.

San Francisco Zen Center is committed to making Zen practice and the Dharma accessible to all who seek it by offering both a General support fund and a dedicated BIPOC support fund. After your application has been accepted, please email supportfunds@sfzc.org to request financial support.

Meals are included in the cost of sesshin. As meals will be eaten formally in the zendo meditation hall, please plan on bringing your oryoki set. If you do not have a set, if needed you can purchase one on arrival for an additional $55.

Please apply by January 14, 2026.

Registration Information

Sesshin Registration Form

  1. Please fill out a sesshin registration form.
  2. After reviewing the registration form and determining the number of spaces available in the sesshin, the Ino will confirm by sending a letter of acceptance by email.
  3. The final steps to complete the registration and payment via the SFZC website will be provided in the acceptance email sent by the Ino.