Residency

Residents join the daily life of the monks and teachers at CMZC. Our daily schedule includes meditation in the mornings, time for self-guided study, communal meals (traditional Oryoki meal practice as well as social table meals), a morning and an afternoon work period, and evening meditation. There are also Dharma-Talks, Question & Answer sessions, and regular training and feedback sessions to learn about the different areas of Zen monastic life.

Throughout the Summer we will open our facilities to welcome external retreat leaders and their groups. During these months, participants will get to apply their skills by helping the Crestone Mountain Zen Center residents with hosting Summer Guest Season Retreats, and maintaining the daily monastic schedule. Besides following the daily schedule and helping with regular household chores, a Summer Resident will, receive training in one or more of three focus areas:
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– Kitchen and Cooking
– Gardening
– Maintenance of Buildings and Grounds