Save the dates for the 2025 sesshin:
June 13 - June 21, 2025

Registration will be open in early 2025

Our annual 7-day (8 nights) silent Zen sesshin with Zoketsu Norman Fischer with talks and interview also available with Nomon Tim Burnett and others, includes seven days and eight nights of silent practice of sitting and walking meditation in this beautiful church camp on the water on Samish Island in the Skagit Valley. Retreat includes dharma talks by Norman and other Northwest teachers, dokusan and practice discussion, sitting and walking meditation, and delicious vegetarian meals. A deep time for practice and reflection with the support of sangha and teachers.

Many photos of Samish are available on our Photos page.

The following information is from a past Samish sesshin to give you an overview before registration opens.

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Schedule:
You may attend the entire retreat, or the first or second half. Second half attendance is only appropriate to those who have sat sesshin with us before. We are unable to offer other attendance choices. Signing up is making a commitment to be part of the retreat for the entire period you signed up for.

Full Retreat - Friday 5:00pm to Saturday  at noon

First Half - Friday  5:00pm to Tuesday at 5pm

Second Half - Tuesday at 5pm to Saturday at noon.

Prerequisites & Requirements
This is a rigorous and structured experience. To benefit from being at Samish Sesshin please abide by the following requirements.

• You should have attended at least one full day formal meditation retreat before attending this 7-day, 8-night, retreat. Please do not register if you have never sat a full day of formal meditation (in Zen or other traditions is fine).
• If you have never attended Samish sesshin please start at the beginning by attending the full retreat or the first half, and do not attend just the second half.
  Orientation and instructions are offered at the beginning only.
• No attendance options other than the three listed above can be accommodated. 
• This is a silent retreat without talking, reading, writing, computer or cell phone use. Please be prepared to follow this guideline fully.
• Following the full schedule is a core practice of Zen. Some alternate schedules can be arranged with the Ino in cases of health and other needs.
• Plan on remaining at Samish Island camp during the entire time of your sesshin attendance, not leaving for errands or appointments, etc., and remaining at the camp through final clean up at noon on Saturday unless illness or unavoidable travel arrangements prevent this.

Housing:
There are currently four different housing options to choose from:

E-Cabins are recently built multi-room cabins with a bath shared with one other room. E-Cabins are in short supply in this retreat. Please choose a rustic cabin if that is possible for you in order to leave the e-cabins for those with health challenges. Or consider sharing an e-cabin. 

e-Cabin Exterior

e-Cabin Interior

Rustic Cabins - simple plywood cabins built in the 1950's. Camp style bathrooms in a separate building. Most rustic housing will be private (not shared), however if couples or friends are willing to share a cabin this can make a difference in accommodating everyone if the sesshin is full.

Rustic Cabin, exterior

Rustic cabin, interior

RV site with hookups - you can bring your own RV and connect to the camp's services.  A lower cost option.

Tent - you can bring a tent and camp on the lawn. A lower cost option.

Samish Island Campground

We have rented the Community of Christ's wonderful camp at the eastern end of Samish Island for over a twenty-five years for our residential retreats. A wonderful place where sea meets sky.

11565 Scott Rd, Bow, WA 98232
Map and Directions