Zen Practice
Student Stays
Flexible Dates
Crestone Mountain Zen Center
To be a student at CMZC means to join the resident monks and lay practitioners in following the schedule completely. This includes meditation and work periods, talks and discussions, and community meals.
Residency
Flexible Dates
Residents join the daily life of the monks and teachers at CMZC. Our daily schedule includes meditation, time for self-guided study, communal meals and work periods. There are also Dharma talks and Question and Answer sessions.
Guest Season Volunteer
Flexible Dates
Our Summer Volunteer Program runs from mid-May until the end of September. Throughout the Summer we will open our facilities to welcome external retreat leaders and their groups. The volunteer program offers room and board in exchange for helping with our Summer Guest Season.
September Zazenkai 2025
With Senior Practitioner
September 19 - 21, 2025
Crestone Mountain Zen Center
We invite you to join us for our September Zazenkai (sitting intensive).
Aikido and Zen 2025
September 24 - 28, 2025
Crestone Mountain Zen Center
In these days together we will practice aikido and zazen, and take part in community life at the Crestone Mountain Zen Center.
October Zazenkai 2025
With Senior Practitioner
October 2 - 5, 2025
Crestone Mountain Zen Center
We invite you to join us for our October Zazenkai (sitting intensive).
Fall Sangha Work Week
October 14 - 19, 2025
CMZC
During the Work Week, the Sangha comes together to harvest and winterize the garden, complete fire mitigation, make improvements in landscaping and buildings and to prepare the campus for our Fall Guest Season.
Rohatsu Sesshin 2025
November 30 - December 8, 2025
Rohatsu Sesshin' ('Shakyamuni Enlightenment Day, Heart/Mind Practice') is the traditional December, 'Seven-day Meditation Intensive' of sitting and walking meditation, three-bowl (oryoki) meals, daily Dharma talks, and personal interviews (dokusan) with the teacher.