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.
Monastic Training Weeks 2026
With Tatsudo Nicole Baden Roshi and Zentatsu Baker Roshi
February 14 - April 14, 2026
Crestone Mountain Zen Center
The Monastic Training Weeks at Crestone Mountain Zen Center are an intensive immersion into the living teachings and practices of Zen. It is a time of gathering and expanding the mind.
April Sesshin 2026
With Tatsudo Nicole Baden Roshi
March 31 - April 8, 2026
Sesshin is the traditional, 'Seven-day Meditation Intensive' of sitting and walking meditation, three-bowl (oryoki) meals, daily Dharma talks, and personal interviews (dokusan) with the teacher.
May Zazenkai 2026
With Senior Practitioner
May 7 - 10, 2026
Crestone Mountain Zen Center
We invite you to join us for our May Zazenkai (sitting intensive).
Spring Sangha Work Week 2026
May 26 - 31, 2026
CMZC
During the Work Week, the Sangha comes together to ready and plant the garden, complete fire mitigation, make improvements in landscaping and buildings and to prepare the campus for our Summer Guest Season.
June Zazenkai 2026
With Senior Practitioner
June 11 - 14, 2026
Crestone Mountain Zen Center
We invite you to join us for our June Zazenkai (sitting intensive).
July Zazenkai 2026
With Senior Practitioner
July 16 - 19, 2026
Crestone Mountain Zen Center
We invite you to join us for our July Zazenkai (sitting intensive).
September Zazenkai 2026
With Senior Practitioner
September 4 - 6, 2026
Crestone Mountain Zen Center
We invite you to join us for our September Zazenkai (sitting intensive).
October Zazenkai 2026
With Senior Practitioner
October 1 - 4, 2026
Crestone Mountain Zen Center
We invite you to join us for our October Zazenkai (sitting intensive).
Fall Sangha Work Week 2026
October 13 - 18, 2026
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.