Spring 2026 Formal Practice Session, GGF 2/20–3/15

Practice Center
Date / Time
Feb 20, 2026 / 3:00pm - Mar 15, 2026 / 11:00am
Event Type
Practice Periods
Description

The Spring 2026 Formal Practice Session at Green Gulch Farm is an opportunity for beginning and experienced students to participate in an intense period of residential practice that centers around daily zazen, work practice, study, and regular one-on-one meetings with the teacher. Weekly events include lectures, formal ceremonies, classes, oryoki meals (formal meals in the meditation hall), and gatherings with the practice session teacher. Participants commit to stay in the Green Gulch valley during the entire four weeks. This formal practice session includes a five-day sesshin.

To Apply:

Please review the Practice Period Guidelines/Shingi before submitting your application.

Students who are accepted into the formal practice session generally will have already participated in at least one all-day sit, sesshin, and/or a guest student stay at Green Gulch. If you do not have prior experience with Zen practice, we strongly suggest completing a one-day sit or sesshin at Green Gulch before applying for the formal practice session. If you have questions about the formal practice session and aren't sure if applying is right for you based on your practice experience, please contact the Abbot's assistant at ggfabbotassist@sfzc.org before applying.

Complete and submit a formal practice session application by the application deadline of January 27, 2026.

The Applications Committee will notify applicants as to whether they have been accepted to the formal practice session by January 30, 2026. If you need to be notified about your acceptance earlier than January 30 (for your planning purposes), please email ggfabbotassist@sfzc.org and let us know. For questions or more information, please contact the Abbot’s assistant at ggfabbotassist@sfzc.org.

Fee Information

Non-refundable application fee: $30 (this fee is paid while filling out the application).

Practice period fee:

  • $1200 – Shared room
  • $1550 – Single room

This fee is paid after application acceptance. The notice of acceptance to the formal practice session will be accompanied by information on paying the fee. $500 of this fee is non-refundable when canceling less than 2 weeks prior to the start of the formal practice session.

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.

Deadline for applications: January 27, 2026.

Formal Practice Session Application