Retreats

Retreats

Please see our event calendar for upcoming retreat dates.

Seven Thunders organizes Contemplative Intensive Retreats and Zen Sesshin. Although these practices have certain outward similarities, we do not attempt to merge these two traditions.

Retreats consist of a series of 25 minute sitting meditation periods (zazen) and 5 minutes of walking contemplation (kinhin). There are opportunities for interviews (dokusan) with the teacher (Roshi), a daily work period (samu), Eucharist (Buddhist sutra service at sesshin), conference (Teisho), and vegetarian meals. Silence is observed throughout the retreat with the exception of group recitations and private interviews with the teacher.


Contemplative Intensive Retreats at the Trappist Abbey

Contemplative Intensive Retreats include approximately 8 hours of sitting contemplation each day. Our Contemplative program is modeled after the format established by Fr. Willigis Jaeger, Roshi, a Benedictine monk, who studied Zen in Japan for 6 years with Yamada Koun Roshi. Fr. Jaeger is one of the pioneers in adapting Zen techniques to contemplative Christian practice. The daily retreat schedule includes Mass, and when occurring at the Abbey, retreat goers may attend Compline service.

Virtual Palm Sunday Contemplative Intensive Retreat (CIR) on March 22-March 24, 2024.


Zen Retreats at Stones & Clouds

Zen Sesshin consist of 12 hours of zazen daily. The word sesshin means “to touch the mind.” Our sesshin ritual was developed at the Diamond Sangha, which was founded in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1959 by Robert Aitken Roshi and Anne Aitken. Our Zen comes from the Rinzai and Soto schools in Japan. Kosesshin is an abbreviated sesshin taking place from Friday evening to Sunday morning.

Hybrid Summer Sesshin at Stones and Clouds Zendo July 9 – 13, 2024
Hybrid Rohatsu Sesshin at Stones and Clouds Zendo December 3 – 8, 2024

In addition, our friends in Bend host two short weekend retreats in the Spring and Fall of each year, lasting from Friday evening to late Saturday afternoon. The retreats are led by Leonard Marcel. To learn more about these retreats, please contact Leanne Latterell at 541.923.7607 or email her [email protected].