ZCNYC Retreats

Upcoming Retreats at Zen Center of New York City

Explore Zen Center of New York City through one of our upcoming retreats. Please don’t let financial issues prevent you from attending a program at the ZCNYC. All programs are offered on a sliding scale. If you are unable to pay the full amount, please offer what you can. You will be given an option on the registration page.

All programs are currently online and listed through the Zen Mountain Monastery retreats page. To view the full list of activities, please click here.

Upcoming ZCNYC Retreats

What is most important? Tending to the Way-Seeking Mind

with Mn. Gokan Bonebakker

May 16, 2020
Zen Center of New York City
The Indian master Shantideva said we should rejoice in our aspiration to awaken. It is our great good fortune to have encountered the Dharma, to have access to teachers, and to have a desire to practice. Having set out on the path - whether we've been practicing for years or just taken a few first…

The Shape of Awake: A Posture Clinic for Meditators

with Hope Martin

May 23, 2020
Zen Center of New York City
In this one day workshop Hope, who is a master teacher of the Alexander Technique, will offer both verbal and hands-on instruction to help you develop ease and non-striving in meditation and other activities. Through Hope's hands-on work, making subtle adjustments to the relationship between the head, neck, and back, you'll learn to access effortless, balanced posture—light and grounded. The process teaches awareness of habits that result in pain, fixed posture and mind-set, and teaches the skill of shifting on the spot to a more open, balanced way of being.…

Half-Day Sit – May

May 30, 2020
Zen Center of New York City
These short zazen intensives are popular with those new to Zen practice or meditation, as well as more experienced students. The morning offers a time of silence and stillness and provides an excellent way to explore and deepen one’s zazen. The retreat will be introduced and concluded with dharma words of encouragement…

Money and Mindfulness

with Christian McEwen

June 6, 2020
Zen Center of New York City
"If money talks, it is with our voice." Lynne Twist Traditional Buddhism says we should give “courteously, happily, quickly and without regret.” But this is not always so easy. Money remains one of the trickiest of subjects to address, even among longtime practitioners. Join us as we explore our personal money stories through reading, writing and discussion combined with guided meditation…

Half-Day Sit – June

June 13, 2020
Zen Center of New York City
These short zazen intensives are popular with those new to Zen practice or meditation, as well as more experienced students. The morning offers a time of silence and stillness and provides an excellent way to explore and deepen one’s zazen. The retreat will be introduced and concluded with dharma words of encouragement...

Chado: The Way of Tea

with Andrew Hobai Pekarik

June 20, 2020
Zen Center of New York City
This daylong retreat will be a comprehensive introduction to tea ceremony, including demonstrations, participation, tea drinking and discussion. At the heart of it will be the appreciation of this very moment, and the joy of sharing that with others.…

Zazenkai – June

June 27, 2020
Zen Center of New York City
Zazenkai presents us with an opportunity to return to the well of introspection and committed Zen practice. Each day includes an extended schedule of zazen, liturgy, face-to-face interview with a teacher or dharma holder, a formal talk and oryoki lunch (formal meal served in the zendo). Zazenkai is an important way for experienced students to…

Half-Day Sit & Potluck Picnic – July

July 4, 2020
Zen Center of New York City
These short zazen intensives are popular with those new to Zen practice or meditation, as well as more experienced students. The morning offers a time of silence and stillness and provides an excellent way to explore and deepen one’s zazen. The retreat will be introduced and concluded with dharma words of encouragement. […]

Zazenkai – July

July 18, 2020
Zen Center of New York City
Zazenkai presents us with an opportunity to return to the well of introspection and committed Zen practice. Each day includes an extended schedule of zazen, liturgy, face-to-face interview with a teacher or dharma holder, a formal talk and oryoki lunch (formal meal served in the zendo). Zazenkai is an important way for experienced students to…

Natural Bravery: Awakening from the Culture of Fear

with Gaylon Ferguson

July 25, 2020
Zen Center of New York City
We live in a time of increasingly pervasive fear: fear of others, fear of ourselves, fear of fear itself. In our country, we are seeing the steady rise of hate crimes by anti-Semitic and white supremacist groups and individuals. In recent years, there have been more school shootings and a barrage of violence towards minorities....

Zazenkai – August

August 8, 2020
Zen Center of New York City
Zazenkai presents us with an opportunity to return to the well of introspection and committed Zen practice. Each day includes an extended schedule of zazen, liturgy, face-to-face interview with a teacher or dharma holder, a formal talk and oryoki lunch (formal meal served in the zendo). Zazenkai is an important way for experienced students to…

Half-Day Sit – August

August 29, 2020
Zen Center of New York City
These short zazen intensives are popular with those new to Zen practice or meditation, as well as more experienced students. The morning offers a time of silence and stillness and provides an excellent way to explore and deepen one’s zazen. The retreat will be introduced and concluded with dharma words of encouragement. […]

Half-Day Sit – September

September 26, 2020
Zen Center of New York City
These short zazen intensives are popular with those new to Zen practice or meditation, as well as more experienced students. The morning offers a time of silence and stillness and provides an excellent way to explore and deepen one’s zazen. The retreat will be introduced and concluded with dharma words of encouragement. […]

Zazenkai – October

October 10, 2020
Zen Center of New York City
Zazenkai presents us with an opportunity to return to the well of introspection and committed Zen practice. Each day includes an extended schedule of zazen, liturgy, face-to-face interview with a teacher or dharma holder, a formal talk and oryoki lunch (formal meal served in the zendo). Zazenkai is an important way for experienced students to…

Half-Day Sit – October

October 31, 2020
Zen Center of New York City
These short zazen intensives are popular with those new to Zen practice or meditation, as well as more experienced students. The morning offers a time of silence and stillness and provides an excellent way to explore and deepen one’s zazen. The retreat will be introduced and concluded with dharma words of encouragement. […]

Zazenkai – November

November 7, 2020
Zen Center of New York City
Zazenkai presents us with an opportunity to return to the well of introspection and committed Zen practice. Each day includes an extended schedule of zazen, liturgy, face-to-face interview with a teacher or dharma holder, a formal talk and oryoki lunch (formal meal served in the zendo). Zazenkai is an important way for experienced students to…

Half-Day Sit – November

November 21, 2020
Zen Center of New York City
These short zazen intensives are popular with those new to Zen practice or meditation, as well as more experienced students. The morning offers a time of silence and stillness and provides an excellent way to explore and deepen one’s zazen. The retreat will be introduced and concluded with dharma words of encouragement. […]