April Daylong Retreat
April 18th, 2026
With the advent of the spring Equinox daylong retreat we have entered the spring training period. During this time we devote more of our time and energy to our practice. We might add an extra period to our daily sitting practice. Or engage in practices that can be done outside. Or work more with putting our attention fully into what we are doing: that is single-tasking. And when the opportunity arises to devote a day, or the bulk or a day to sustained practice we take it. Here now in the depths of spring we offer a daylong retreat here at the monastery and online for people anywhere.
In order to facilitate sustained practice for the myriad situations that we moderns find ourselves in we offer several options to allow you truly take advantage of this daylong retreat.
Option 1 – Drop in Attendance
You are welcome to come for any of the four blocks of practice offered throughout the day. You should arrive ten minutes early and be seated in the zendo before the outside bell is rung (gosei). Alternatively you can arrive during the midpoint of the period during kinhin (walking meditation). and join the line. If you arrive while a period is still in progress please wait in the entrance (the gaitan) until kinhin. After the block concludes, you should depart in a timely manner.
Option 2 – Part Time attendance
You can join in for part of the day across multiple periods, or arrive at a point during the day and stay until the next day, or whatever works with your schedule. Arrivals and departures should take place in-between the practice blocks so as to seamlessly integrate into the sesshin. To arrange for part time attendance it is essential to contact us with your plans some days in advance.
Option 3 – Full Time attendance
To take part in the entire retreat you need to contact us at least several days in advance to register. For full time attendance you can arrange to stay at the monastery Friday and/or Saturday night as needed. We encourage people to arrive around 5:30 Friday evening and to stay through Sunday Zazenkai, allowing for a weekend of practice.
Please Note
We offer these events without a set cost, but please be aware that there are costs associated with putting them on and donations are very welcome.
During the spring training period we will continue to utilize Tendo’s practice book Dewdrops on Stinging Nettles, along with various supplementary material, for the various talks. This book is oriented around practice in our times and thus provides guidance for how we approach and engage in our practice in every circumstance. Additional information can be found here: Dewdrops on Stinging Nettles.
The Dharma talk will continue our consideration of the practice of Gazing, a body of techniques for utilizing our senses and surroundings as a site of practice. This is the second talk in a series considering the theory and practice of gazing. This second part will be more oriented toward considering the various elements of this practice. The previous talk can be found here: The Practice of Gazing.
During the Instructional talk, as well as applied during the afternoon outside period of Walking, we will discuss Raindrops. Raindrops are a technique that uses minimalist poems to engage the conceptual mind. This practice is the orientation of Tendo’s forthcoming book Raindrops on Still Water.
Previous dharma talks, Instructional Talks and Guided meditations are archived on this page: Dream Mountain Teachings.
Join us Online
We will continue to broadcast these retreats via Zoom for those unable to join us in person. We will begin the online broadcast during regular Friday evening zazen and conclude after Sunday’s Zazenkai allowing for one to be able to extend ones practice beyond the full day.
Essential Information for those joining online
• Please tune in 5-10 minutes before the scheduled start time so you can be settled.
• Download the monastery schedule: April Daylong Retreat Schedule [updated 4.15.26]
• The sutra book we will be using can be downloaded here: Virtual Sutra book
• Read these posts: Guidelines for Virtual Events and Orientation to Virtual Sesshin.
• To receive the links for Virtual Events by email: Tahoma Events mailing list.
Friday Broadcast Schedule
6:30pm to 8:00pm: Zazen
Saturday Broadcast Schedule
5:00am to 7am: Choka; Zazen
10:00 to Noon: Morning Talk; Zazen
2pm to 4:00pm: Dharma Talk; Zazen
6:00pm to 8:45pm: Zazen; Closing Sutra
Zoom Link: [Event has passed]
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