Location: Upaya Zen Center Santa Fe, NM
Instructor(s): Roshi Joan Halifax, PhD; Sensei Kaz Tanahashi; Senseis Shinzan Palma, Genzan Quennell; Kozan Palevsky; Kodo Roen; Monshin Overley, and Wendy Dainin Lau
Rohatsu Sesshin is an intensive, concentrated, and joyous retreat to celebrate the spiritual breakthrough of Shakyamuni Buddha along with other meditators worldwide. It is a powerful gathering of practitioners and friends who are dedicated to realizing the way.
The retreat is in silence, with sitting and walking meditation, eating formally as a community (oryoki), daily dharma talks, private interviews with teachers, liturgy and work practice (samu). Sesshin provides a powerful container supporting the unification of body and mind, and our individuality with the community and the world.
All applications are reviewed. This is the only sesshin that Roshi Joan leads during the year. In general, she prioritizes attendance for her students as well as people who have experience with sitting longer sesshins. We also ask that you are able to commit to sitting the entire sesshin with the community. We are not able to accommodate latecomers or those who wish to leave early.
Thoughtfully consider before applying. We ask that you graciously understand if we are unable to accommodate your request to attend. If we cannot accept you at this time, please consider signing up for one of the other programs and sesshins that are offered at Upaya throughout the year.
Schedule:
This sesshin will begin on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST) and will conclude with lunch on Monday, December 8, 2025 around 2:00 p.m. MST. Use this Time Converter to determine your local start time.
We ask attendees to arrive between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 1 to check in and join us for oryoki training if needed, at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. (included in the program price).
Information on how to get to Upaya is available here.
A Note About Food:
The food at Upaya is vegetarian and mostly organic, and there are always vegan and gluten-free options. If your dietary sensitivities fall outside of vegan and gluten-free, we do not have the resources to accommodate them. Thank you for your understanding.
Please review our current cancellation policy and health protocols for in-person programs.
Maximum Participants 50
Application Fee $0
Program Fee (Members) $891
Program Fee (Non-Members) $990
Includes dormitory lodging; upgrades available. Dana to teachers.
Registration for this event includes meals as well as dormitory lodging for all 7 nights. You have the option of upgrading or extending your lodging if you like.
Upgrading to a double (2 guests per room) will add $525 to your total.
Upgrading to a single (private room) will add $1,050 to your total.
After being accepted, a $200 deposit will secure your place in this program.