Image by Robert Reese.
SESSHIN REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. If you are on the waitlist or otherwise in discussion with our leaders, please wait to be contacted for further instructions, or contact our sesshin administrator, Clara, regarding your registration, payment, or if you have a scheduling difficulty or other logistical issue. THANK YOU!
Villa Angelica Sesshin 2025
“To Gather, Collect and Convey the Heart/Mind”, the very meaning of the word sesshin.
Led by the Monterey Bay Zen Center Teaching Council.
The following is reference for this year’s practitioners and for consideration by future sesshin participants:
Sesshin is a Soto Zen meditation retreat that traditionally includes formal meals, Dharma talks, sitting and walking meditation, and private interviews with senior teachers. To appreciate the nature of our retreat, and to be clear about some of the details of sesshin practice, please take a look at this “sample” sesshin schedule from a previous year.
The Monterey Bay Zen Center requests everyone commit to following all guidelines and to participating in the schedule completely. Everyone helps create this retreat by participation in assigned jobs. Since there are a limited number of spaces, priority will be given MBZC practitioners who can stay the entire time. We encourage you to stay the entire sesshin; however, there is space for single or multiple night/day participants.
Retreat fees:
Full residential participation $450
Partial residential, per night, $175
Non-residential, day only:
Friday and Saturday, per day $125
Thursday $100
Sunday $100
All community meals are included at sesshin scheduled times and include an evening meal on Thursday, all three meals on Friday and Saturday, and a breakfast and lunch on Sunday.
Limited work practice arrangements are available.** No one will be denied participation based on lack of financial ability.
The fee schedule does not cover the full sesshin cost. Please note that fees are not tax deductible as they cover the cost of room and meals. If you are able to give more, or would like to support another to attend through work practice, please consider an add-on donation separately. Any additional donation over and above the residential fees are tax deductible as allowed by law.
You may also pay with paper check per arrangement. The deadline for all fees has passed. (Please see note at top of page below image.)
Please bring and mark your own special cushions or bench. Covid Protocols are still in review for the sesshin. They will be based at minimum on the MBZC in-person protocols currently in place. https://www.montereybayzencenter.org/covid-protocol
Please be prepared to agree to any additional safety measures yet to be announced.
Accomodations
Villa Angelica is a warm and comfortable hacienda-style retreat center. There are 8 rooms (15 beds). Bedding, towels, and the (vegetarian) community meals will be provided.
Location Directions: From Rio Road take Highway 1 one mile South (Monastery Beach). Turn left immediately past the Carmelite Monastery entrance. (If you pass Point Lobos State Park, you have gone too far. There is a red/orange triangle sign at the driveway entrance. You can park on the right side of the building or behind the retreat house. Google Maps uses a pin titled “House of Prayer” or "Sisters of Notre Dame" for the retreat house and any difference may depend upon your browser.
** If you have questions regarding the sesshin schedule, zendo conduct and practice forms or commitment, or need work practice arrangements, please contact Shōgen or Sara through the Teaching Council contact options.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at Villa Angelica: if not this year, then perhaps next.
(This last button only for those who have already registered and have been directed here.)