This two-week retreat offers an opportunity for experienced meditators to join the Green Gulch staff in a period of intensive residential practice. The teaching and practice orientation will be "Shikantaza Through the Support of Insight." Our schedule will include morning, afternoon, and evening zazen; formal oryoki meals; work periods; Dharma talks; classes; and group discussions. There will also be formal and informal meetings with teachers. Participants commit to not leave the Green Gulch watershed for the duration (except by arrangement or emergencies). The retreat includes a five-day sesshin.
To Apply:
Please review the Sample Schedule/Shingi before submitting your application.
Prerequisite: At least two all-day sits, a residential sesshin, and/or a guest student stay at Green Gulch. The prerequisite for practitioners without a background in Zen practice is two weeklong silent residential meditation retreats.
If you have questions about the Zen Retreat 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 an intensive application by the application deadline of January 4, 2026.
Please contact ggfabbotassist@sfzc.org if you have any questions, or if you require early acceptance notification for travel.
Non-refundable application fee: $30. This fee is paid while filling out the online application.
Intensive fees*
- $1250-$1750 – Shared Guest House Room (two twins or a king)
- $1750-$2500 – Single Guest House Room
- $1000-$1500 - Shared Student Room
- $1500-$2000 - Single Student Room
The retreat fee is paid after application acceptance. The notice of acceptance to the retreat 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 retreat.
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.
*The fees for the March Zen Retreat do not cover the cost of maintaining Green Gulch Farm during the two week period. Please consider making a donation to San Francisco Zen Center to support this Zen Retreat and the possibility of offering many more such practice opportunities. Thank you.
Deadline for applications: January 4, 2026.