October Sesshin - The Ancient Way
With Hogen Bays, Roshi, Jogen Salzberg, Sensei and Danney Soten Lynch
October 9 - 19, 2025
There is something very special about the magic of autumn and the kicking off of the fall ango practice period that makes this sesshin so powerful. What a great gift it is to be able to sit together in silence. This is our longest sesshin of the year. The extra days enable us drop down into the bare bones essentials of our lives. We have this rare opportunity to turn towards the practice/awakening that is our true nature, and to celebrate quietly together in the container of sesshin.
Day after day plunge into the waters of mystery and exploration. Turn off the media machine, look, and look again. We do this together. Each person an important part of the web that holds us all together.
Sesshin is a rigorous and, at times, challenging. This silent meditation retreat that is not recommended for beginners. In order to attend in person, we require that you attend one of our silent weekend retreats or a five-seven day silent retreat at another Zen Center before registering for our longer zen retreats. For more information about what to expect when attending a sesshin, click here.
About the Leaders
Hogen Bays, Roshi
Hogen Bays, Roshi began practicing in 1968 with Philip Kapleau, Roshi and was part of the residential staff at Zen Center of Rochester in Rochester, New York until 1975. He lived and trained at Zen Center of Los Angeles under the direction of Taizan Maezumi, Roshi from 1980-1984. In 1990 he took priest’s ordination […]
Learn more about Hogen Bays, RoshiJogen Salzberg, Sensei
Jogen Salzberg, Sensei has been practicing Zen since 1997, entered monastic training at Great Vow in 2003 and received Dharma Transmission from Chozen Bays, Roshi and Hogen Bays, Roshi in 2017. Jogen leads the weekly Wednesday evening meditation gathering. His teaching draws on the teachings and practices of Zen, with inspiration from the Dzogchen tradition, […]
Learn more about Jogen Salzberg, SenseiDanney Soten Lynch
Danney Soten Lynch is a Dharma Holder and ordained Zen priest. He was a monastic resident at Great Vow from 2010-2020 completing his novice training in 2018. During this time he contributed many songs to the Great Vow liturgy, and directed the monastery’s marimba band. He and his wife, Shinei, started leading backpacking Zen-style sesshin […]
Learn more about Danney Soten Lynch