Upcoming retreats and events
We hold two one-day retreats per year in the fall and spring and occasional weekend retreats, as well as talks and other events. If you have a suggestion for an event, please email us.
Fall 2019 weekend retreat
Nov. 8-10, Dayspring Silent Retreat Center, Germantown, Md.
We're holding a weekend retreat this fall. It will run from Friday evening Nov. 8 to Sunday afternoon Nov. 10 at the Dayspring Silent Retreat Center in Germantown, Maryland, northwest of Washington, D.C.
The retreat will be silent and will comprise many periods of seated meditation (zazen), most of 40 minutes' duration, interspersed with short breaks, meals, and rest periods. Attendance at all zazen periods from 6:00 a.m. through 9:30 p.m. is expected.
The facilities include a building with a large room that will be set up as the zendo and separate building with living quarters. All rooms are singles. There are separate male and female wings. Vegetarian meals will be provided by the Dayspring staff; retreat participants will help with dining room setup and meal cleanup.
The cost for two days is $200. Depending on the number of participants there might be a single day attendance option (Saturday or Sunday) which would cost $100. Detailed retreat information, including the schedule, costs, retreat guidelines, and responsibilities will be sent to registered participants.
Those wishing to join the retreat should email Bruce Exstrum to express interest, including information about any previous meditation retreat experience. Participants will be sent a registration form covering planned participation dates, medical needs, etc., as well as a waiver of liability form. Please also contact Bruce if you have other questions about the event.
We look forward to gathering with you to undertake this precious endeavor!
Tentative retreat schedule
Friday, November 8
5:00-6:00 p.m. Arrival
6:00 p.m. Orientation in zendo (retreat guidelines, meal arrangements, etc.)
6:30 p.m. Zazen (40, 10, 40, 10, 40, 10, 30)
9:30 p.m. Closing vows
9:40 p.m. Closing
Saturday, November 9
5:00 a.m. Wake up
6:00 a.m. Zazen (40, 10, 40)
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Zazen (50, 10, 40)
10:10 a.m. Break (optional Zazen)
11:15 a.m. Zazen (40)
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. Zazen (40, 10, 40)
3:00 p.m. Break
3:30 p.m. Zazen (40, 10, 40)
5:00 p.m. Dinner
6:30 p.m. Zazen (40, 10, 40, 10, 40, 10, 30)
9:30 p.m. Closing vows
9:40 p.m. Closing
Sunday, November 10
5:00 a.m. Wake up
6:00 a.m. Zazen (40, 10, 40)
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Zazen (50, 10, 40)
10:10 a.m. Break (optional Zazen)
11:15 a.m. Zazen (40)
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. Zazen (40, 10, 30, 10, 30)
3:30 p.m. Closing vows
3:45-4:15 p.m. Discussion, feedback, lessons learned
4:15-5:00 p.m. Clean up zendo and accommodations, pack for departure
5:00 p.m. Depart
Nov. 8-10, Dayspring Silent Retreat Center, Germantown, Md.
We're holding a weekend retreat this fall. It will run from Friday evening Nov. 8 to Sunday afternoon Nov. 10 at the Dayspring Silent Retreat Center in Germantown, Maryland, northwest of Washington, D.C.
The retreat will be silent and will comprise many periods of seated meditation (zazen), most of 40 minutes' duration, interspersed with short breaks, meals, and rest periods. Attendance at all zazen periods from 6:00 a.m. through 9:30 p.m. is expected.
The facilities include a building with a large room that will be set up as the zendo and separate building with living quarters. All rooms are singles. There are separate male and female wings. Vegetarian meals will be provided by the Dayspring staff; retreat participants will help with dining room setup and meal cleanup.
The cost for two days is $200. Depending on the number of participants there might be a single day attendance option (Saturday or Sunday) which would cost $100. Detailed retreat information, including the schedule, costs, retreat guidelines, and responsibilities will be sent to registered participants.
Those wishing to join the retreat should email Bruce Exstrum to express interest, including information about any previous meditation retreat experience. Participants will be sent a registration form covering planned participation dates, medical needs, etc., as well as a waiver of liability form. Please also contact Bruce if you have other questions about the event.
We look forward to gathering with you to undertake this precious endeavor!
Tentative retreat schedule
Friday, November 8
5:00-6:00 p.m. Arrival
6:00 p.m. Orientation in zendo (retreat guidelines, meal arrangements, etc.)
6:30 p.m. Zazen (40, 10, 40, 10, 40, 10, 30)
9:30 p.m. Closing vows
9:40 p.m. Closing
Saturday, November 9
5:00 a.m. Wake up
6:00 a.m. Zazen (40, 10, 40)
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Zazen (50, 10, 40)
10:10 a.m. Break (optional Zazen)
11:15 a.m. Zazen (40)
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. Zazen (40, 10, 40)
3:00 p.m. Break
3:30 p.m. Zazen (40, 10, 40)
5:00 p.m. Dinner
6:30 p.m. Zazen (40, 10, 40, 10, 40, 10, 30)
9:30 p.m. Closing vows
9:40 p.m. Closing
Sunday, November 10
5:00 a.m. Wake up
6:00 a.m. Zazen (40, 10, 40)
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Zazen (50, 10, 40)
10:10 a.m. Break (optional Zazen)
11:15 a.m. Zazen (40)
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. Zazen (40, 10, 30, 10, 30)
3:30 p.m. Closing vows
3:45-4:15 p.m. Discussion, feedback, lessons learned
4:15-5:00 p.m. Clean up zendo and accommodations, pack for departure
5:00 p.m. Depart