New in 2024: Zoom online attendance. Access the full zendo schedule (zazen, kinhin, dharma talks, rituals) on Zoom. Dokusan and events outside of the zendo will not be available online. It is fine to come and go from Zoom attendance as your schedule allows.
Join us for our annual 7-day (8 nights) silent Zen sesshin with Zoketsu Norman Fischer at this beautiful church camp on the water on Samish Island in the Skagit Valley.
The retreat includes dharma talks by Zoketsu Norman and Nomon Tim, dokusan and practice discussion, sitting and walking meditation, and delicious vegetarian meals. Sesshin is a deep time for practice and reflection with the support of sangha and teachers.
Our Covid Safety policy at the time of the retreat will be required. Details will be sent by email closer to the time.
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 at Samish 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 5pm to Saturday at noon
First Half - Friday 5pm to Tuesday at 5pm
Second Half - Tuesday at 5pm to Saturday at noon.
Schedule: You may view the Full Schedule Here.
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.
Housing: Housing is provided with four options: E-Cabins, Rustic Cabins, RV Camping, and Tent Camping.
E-Cabins are more recently built with a full 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. Consider sharing an E-cabin to that more people can enjoy them.
e-Cabin Exterior
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e-Cabin Interior
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Rustic Cabins - simple plywood cabins built in the 1950's. Camp style bathrooms in a separate building. Most rustic housing will be single (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
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Rustic cabin, interior
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RV Camping - if you would like to sleep in your own camper, van, or trailer use the RV Camping option. Full hook-ups are available, but there is no difference in charge whether you the hook-up or not. Please do not choose the tenting option if you are sleeping in a vehicle.
Tent - you can bring a tent and camp on the lawn. The lowest cost option.
Dates and Cancellation
- May 15 - Last day to cancel with full refund. Full payment due.
- May 16 - Incomplete (unpaid) registrations may be cancelled at this time to make room for people on the waitlist.
- June 1 - Last day to cancel with partial refund.
See also the Red Cedar Cancellation Policy
Scholarships
Scholarships are available in the Rustic Cabins. They cover one quarter or one half of retreat costs, on a first-come first-served basis. No need to apply, simply choose a scholarship option if that is right for you.
Samish Island Campground
We have rented the Community of Christ's wonderful camp at the eastern end of Samish Island for thirty years for our residential retreats. A wonderful place of practice where sea meets sky.
11565 Scott Rd, Bow, WA 98232
Map and Directions
Getting to Samish
There is no public transportation to Samish Island. We are not providing an airport shuttle this year. If you need a ride please contact the registrar at registrar@redcedarzen.org and we will do our best to help.
You can get yourself to Samish from SeaTac airport in this way: (1) take the Bellair Airporter Shuttle to Burlington and (2) take Uber, Lyft or Quick Cab the remainder of the distance to Samish.
REGISTER
