Our Red Cedar Zen 8-week Practice Periods have always been in the winter, generally mid-January through early March. Due to challenges in January with snow and infectious disease, starting in 2025 we'll have our Practice Periods in the Fall. Additionally, Fall is a common time for Western Zen sanghas to have Practice Period. And, importantly, this winter we'll have the incredible opportunity to help our contractor remodel our building and set up our temple. (See details for our first construction work party in October here.)

Practice Periods will start during the 4th week of September and end on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. The 2025 Fall Practice Period will run from September 24th through November 23rd. Practice Period will now include the Fall Samish retreat too!

A few key dates if you like to plan ahead for the Fall 2025 Practice Period:

• Opening Ceremony: 9/24/25
• Opening Sesshin (weekend retreat): 9/26 - 9/28/25
• Samish 3-Day Sesshin: 11/6 - 11/9/25
• Closing One-Day Sit: 11/23/25