Image by Robert Reese.
Villa Angelica Sesshin 2025:
“To Gather, Collect and Convey the Heart/Mind”, the very meaning of the word sesshin.
Led by the Monterey Bay Zen Center Teaching Council.
Sesshin is a Soto Zen meditation retreat that traditionally includes formal meals, Dharma talks, sitting and walking meditation, and private interviews with senior teachers. To appreciate the nature of our retreat, and to be clear about some of the details of sesshin practice, please take a look at this “sample” sesshin schedule from a previous year.
The Monterey Bay Zen Center requests everyone commit to following all guidelines and to participating in the schedule completely. Everyone helps create this retreat by participation in assigned jobs. Since there are a limited number of spaces, priority will be given MBZC practitioners who can stay the entire time. We encourage you to stay the entire sesshin; however, there is space for single or multiple night/day participants.
Retreat fees:
Full residential participation $450
Partial residential, per night, $175
Non-residential, day only:
Friday and Saturday, per day $125
Thursday $100
Sunday $100
All community meals are included at sesshin scheduled times and include an evening meal on Thursday, all three meals on Friday and Saturday, and a breakfast and lunch on Sunday.
Limited work practice arrangements are available.** No one will be denied participation based on lack of financial ability.
The fee schedule does not cover the full sesshin cost. Please note that fees are not tax deductible as they cover the cost of room and meals. (Please disregard references to your sesshin fee as a donation or contribution during the payment process and on your receipt, it is not a donation, it is a fee.) If you are able to give more, or would like to support another to attend through work practice, please consider an add-on donation separately. Any additional donation over and above the residential fees are tax deductible as allowed by law.
You may also pay with paper check per arrangement as you may indicate anywhere in the form below. The deadline for all fees is February 20.
Please bring and mark your own special cushions or bench. Covid Protocols are still in review for the sesshin. They will be based at minimum on the MBZC in-person protocols currently in place. https://www.montereybayzencenter.org/covid-protocol
Please be prepared to agree to any additional safety measures yet to be announced.
Accomodations
Villa Angelica is a warm and comfortable hacienda-style retreat center. There are 8 rooms (15 beds). Bedding, towels, and the (vegetarian) community meals will be provided.
Location Directions: From Rio Road take Highway 1 one mile South (Monastery Beach). Turn left immediately past the Carmelite Monastery entrance. (If you pass Point Lobos State Park, you have gone too far. There is a red/orange triangle sign at the driveway entrance. You can park on the right side of the building or behind the retreat house. Google Maps uses a pin titled “House of Prayer” or "Sisters of Notre Dame" for the retreat house and any difference may depend upon your browser.
*For more information regarding registration and payment options, or if you have a scheduling difficulty or any other logistical issue, please contact our sesshin administrator, Clara.
** If you have questions regarding the sesshin schedule, zendo conduct and practice forms or commitment, or need work practice arrangements, please contact Shōgen or Robert through the Teaching Council contact options.
If you are ready to commit, please submit the following form by clicking the Submit Registration button when the form is complete. If you require any special considerations, please state in full under the option, “additional message for sesshin leaders”. You will be contacted as necessary before your payment is due. If you do not have any special issues that require discussion, or want to make payment before we respond, you will receive a link when you submit the registration form.
You may also donate additionally to sesshin overall, or leave dana (a gift) for one or more teachers below by returning to this page. The last button below on this page is for those already registered and have returned to this page to pay the fee.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at Villa Angelica.
(This last button for those who have already registered.
You know who you are!)