Upcoming events

Switch to Calendar View

• Thursday Evening Practice

  • Start
    Thursday, October 31, 2024
  •  
  • End
    Thursday, February 11, 2027
  •  
  • Schedule
    118 sessions
  • Location
    Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St, Bellingham, and Online on Zoom

  THURSDAY EVENING PROGRAM

  This is our central weekly practice and community meeting. The usual pattern is:

  • 1st Thursday of the month: Precepts Ceremony.
  • 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Thursdays of the month: Regular Schedule (see below).

  Most evenings begin with zazen (sitting meditation) and include kinhin (walking meditation), bowing and chanting service, Dharma Talk and discussion.

  During our annual Winter Practice Period Schedule the schedule emphasizes meditation more strongly.

  Location: In-person at BUF and online via Zoom - see our Zendo page for details.

  Dokusan (private interviews with the teachers) will be available in both places - an announcement will be made at the beginning of the program on how to request a session. Learn more about dokusan.
  

  Orientation: If you're new to Zen or our community, we're happy to offer an orientation to the program (when and how to do what). Just email orientation@redcedarzen.org. It's also perfectly fine to just show up, pick someone, and do what they do. 

  Regular Schedule:
  6:50pm han (sounding board) begins
  7:00pm zazen (sitting meditation)
  7:30pm kinhin (walking meditation)
  7:40pm service (chanting and bowing)
  8:00pm dharma talk by Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and others
  8:40pm discussion
  8:55pm refuge chant
  9:00pm close

  Printable Chant Books covering all chants done at Red Cedar events are available here.

  Show details
• Weekday Morning Practice

  • Start
    Monday, March 03, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Friday, July 18, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    100 sessions
  • Location
    Online on Zoom Only.

  WEEKDAY MORNING PROGRAM

  Monday - Friday 7am - 7:30am a simple morning sit: zazen, and brief dedication of merit.

  No registration required, just join the Red Cedar Zoom room.

  Verses used are available here. 

  You may add a name to our well-being and memorial blessings list here.

  If you would like to have a private interview (dokusan) with our Guiding Teacher, Nomon Tim Burnett, use his booking form redcedarzen.org/nomon or simply use the Zoom chat function to send Nomon a private chat - just saying "doksuan" is fine. 

  Interested in helping to lead the Weekday Morning Program? You'll need to have received jukai and done some zendo training. If so, we'd love to have you. Details are here.

  Printable Chant Books covering all chants done at Red Cedar events are available here.

  Show details
• Opening to Nature Walk: Stimpson Family Nature Reserve

  • When
    Saturday, June 28, 2025
  •  
    7:00 AM - 10:30 AM
  • Location
    Stimpson Family Nature Preserve, Bellingham

  Register

  A mindful early morning silent hike through old-growth forest and thriving wetland ecosystem at Stimpson Family Nature Reserve. 

  Two large trees, a Red Cedar and Douglas Fir, are wrapped in an embrace

  • 4.9 miles
  • 300' total elevation gain
  • gently rolling and flat, soft forest trails

  We'll walk slowly and silently as we circumambulate the 350 acre reserve, with a short detour around Geneva Pond. Total distance is 4.9 miles, and with our slow pace and occasional pauses is expected to take about 3 hours. This hike is styled as a silent contemplative walk with very little ritual, an early morning mindful experience of the bird song and plants of these beautiful summer lowland woods.

  The hike will be led by Terrill Thompson who lives nearby

  Directions: From Bellingham, take Lakeway Drive toward Lake Whatcom,  but turn right onto Lake Louise Road before you get to the lake. In about 2 miles, the well-signed trailhead parking lot is on your left.

  Timing: Meet at Stimpson Reserve Parking lot on Lake Louise Road at 7:00am. Expected return time from the hike is approximately 10:30am. 

  What to Bring: Bring trail snacks, water, and walking shoes.

  Carpooling: Please mention in a comment on your registration if you need to  a ride and we will try to assist.

  Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.

  Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. You can include a donation to the hike leader during registration or at any time through our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

  
  

  Show details
• Late June Sansui-ji Work Party

  • When
    Sunday, June 29, 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    2509 Cedarwood, Bellingham, WA

  Register

  We are getting so, so very close to being able to start using our new building! Come join us if you can. This is our last work party before our "soft opening" when our new weekly Wednesday evening (6:30pm-8:30pm) weekly sits start on July 2nd!

  At this work party we'll be taking on the following tasks: 

  • deep cleaning
  • moving our sitting gear from Bellingham Unitarian & from storage
  • unpacking our kitchen if the stars align
  • yard maintenance (have a weed whacker you can bring?)
  • vacuum and rug doctor upstairs
  • painting

  Lunch: if you can stay into the afternoon please bring a lunch. We are planning a full 9am to 4pm day, but any amount of time you can spend is a big help.

  Timing: Arriving later than the start time is just fine. Please come when you can in the 9am - 4pm window.  And please RSVP and indicate your best guess and when you'll be there to help our facilitators in planning.

  Location: The new zendo is at 2509 Cedarwood, Bellingham, WA, near the intersection of Cedarwood and Northwest Avenue. 

  Click here for Google Map.

  Show details
• Hike: Opening the Mountains

  • When
    Saturday, July 12, 2025
  •  
    8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Location
    Carpool from Cedarwood Zendo or Nugent's Corner

  Register

  Our full day mountain hike to open the mountains to practice.

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  • 7 mile round-trip
  • 1,500' elevation gain
  • Uphill the whole way, at a fairly consistent grade, level around the lakes, and steeper for the final section to the ridge. Good well-built trail, soft forest path lower down, open and rocky trail up above.

  Join us for a meditation hike above the tree line near Mount Baker - our first mindful foray of the season into the high mountains.

  Excelsior Divide, which we will reach via Damfino Lakes, is a beautiful subalpine ridge partially covered in early season snowfields and avalanche lilies. This will be our place of Opening the Mountains for the beginning of our ritual high-country hiking season.   

  This hike is inspired by traditions on Tibetan sacred mountains where the first ritual circuit of the season was performed by priests waking up the mountain deities.

  The trail can be muddy at this time of the year so, depending on the advance of the season, you may want to bring gaiters for snow in the forested upper portions.  But although there could be some hard snow it will also be mostly clear on the open ridge. 

  What to Bring: Bring lunch, rain gear, good walking shoes or boots, and at least two liters of water.

  Directions: Meet at 2509 Cedarwood in Bellingham or the Nugent's Corner Market in Deming. You will specify your transportation plan during registration.

  Timing: Be ready to leave Cedarwood at 8:30am or to be met by the group at 9:30am at Nugent's Corner. We hope to be back to Cedarwood at about 5:30pm but hiking times vary.

  Carpooling: Please mention in a comment on your registration if you need to  a ride and we will try to assist. Carpooling is an indoor "event" please consult our current Covid Policy.

  Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.

  Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. You can include a donation to the hike leader during registration or at any time through our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

  Show details
• Opening to Nature Walk: Old Growth Meditation

  • When
    Saturday, August 02, 2025
  •  
    9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Location
    Carpool from the Cedarwood Zendo or Nugent's Corner

  Register

  Sitting with the Old Ones

  

  • 1/4 mile
  • Level
  • Stepping over a few big logs

  Join the sangha for a Zen experience in the Old Growth forest remnant off of Mount Baker Highway. This spot is the home to the oldest living beings of our local area.  We make this visit annually to connect with the wisdom and peace of the grove.

  After our easy walk, meditation and ritual in the Old Growth grove, we'll stop at Nooksack Falls with a sack lunch at the largest waterfall in our watershed. We'll return to Bellingham by about 3:30pm. 

  What to Bring: Bring lunch, rain gear, good walking shoes or boots, and at least two liters of water.

  Directions: Meet at 2509 Cedarwood in Bellingham or the Nugent's Corner Market in Deming. Carpooling is required, there is no extra parking at the trailhead.You will specify your transportation plan during registration. Carpooling is an indoor "event" please consult our current Covid Policy.

  Timing: Be ready to leave Cedarwood at 9:30am or to be met by the group at 10:30am at Nugent's Corner. We hope to be back to Cedarwood at about 3:30pm but hiking times vary. 

  Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.

  Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. You can include a donation to the hike leader during registration or at any time through our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

  Show details
• One Day Sit

  • When
    Sunday, August 10, 2025
  •  
    7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Sansui-ji Mountains and Waters Temple, 2509 Cedarwood Avenue, Bellingham, WA

  Register

  

  One Day Sits are an opportunity for sustained quiet practice together in sangha and a great way to learn more about formal Zen practice.

  The day begins early, as is traditional in Zen training, and includes periods of sitting meditation (zazen), walking meditation (kinhin), the morning service ritual, two silent breakfast and lunch (eaten buffet style), a Dharma talk, opportunity for a private interview with the teacher (dokusan), and a question and answer time that’s especially helpful for newer sitters.

  Note that our One Day Sits are bit less formal and rigorous than our Zen Sesshin. One Day Sits include more instruction and the opportunity for quiet social connection during the meal breaks. 

  The day of practice is also available online via Zoom.

  Schedule: The One Day Sit schedule runs from 7:00am to 3:00pm with a vegetarian breakfast and lunch provided. The full schedule is available here.

  Registration: Registration is required. If you are attending in-person, for the safety of everyone you'll need to follow our current COVID protocols.

  NOTE: This one day sit will be immediately followed by a priest ordination ceremony for Seishin Tyndall. You can find details regarding this incredibly special ceremony here.  We hope you will join us for the full day!

  More options for Sits, Retreats, and Sesshin

  Show details
• Ordination Ceremony for Seishin Tyndall

  • When
    Sunday, August 10, 2025
  •  
    3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Sansui-ji Mountains and Waters Temple, 2509 Cedarwood Avenue, Bellingham, WA

  Register

  
  

  Red Cedar Zen Community would like to warmly invite everyone - sangha, family and friends - in support of the Novice Priest Ordination (Shukke Tokudo) for Seishin Taliesin Laughing Owl Tyndall. 

  At this ceremony Seishin will receive their formal priests' robes and bowls and begin a life-long journey serving the sangha and the world as a Sōtō Zen priest.

  This intimate ceremony will be immediately followed by a potluck reception and tea. Please bring finger food and your warm hearts. 

  If you have questions, need assistance registering for this event or anything else, please contact admin@redcedarzen.org.

  This special ceremony will immediately follow the community's August one-day sitting the details of which can be found here. The sitting and ceremony will occur in Sansui-ji, Mountains and Waters temple. For those supporting and celebrating Seishin on Zoom, you will join the ceremony using the link to our Online Zendo found on the Zendo page of our website.

  Show details
• Opening to Nature Walk: Lake Padden

  • When
    Saturday, August 16, 2025
  •  
    8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  • Location
    Lake Padden, Bellingham

  Register

  A mindful twilight walk at Lake Padden

  

  • 2-1/2 miles
  • Slight elevation gain and then loss at about the halfway point
  • Wide gravel or hard dirt city park trail

  Join us for a twilight program of mindful walking through the change between day and night around the wooded shores of Lake Padden. Our Opening to Nature series explores the wide variety of connections we have with our world. Every day the drama of nightfall is recreated, and yet we rarely pause to notice the daily transition at the margins of light. In our engagement with mindfulness as a place-based dharma practice we take deeper notice of this world and it's everyday miracles. The fall of night is just one of these small celebrations that nature offers to us each day.

  This is an easy two and a half mile walk, with a slightly hilly portion, taken at a contemplative pace with several stops along the way to feel the unfolding of night, and hear the transition of diurnal sounds. If we are lucky we may hear the calling of owls, and call back, or hear the final stanzas of birds going to roost.

  You may want to bring a headlamp in case you feel you need it. But we will attempt to not turn white lights on, and let our eyes slowly adjust to the dark as we walk, using red light luminaries to light our path just well enough, and protect our night vision. We will provide the red lights. Some water and a little trail snack might be nice to have along as well.

  What to Bring: Water and a light trail snack; an extra layer to wear as it cools down; and a headlamp in case we need them at the end (a phone flashlight is ok).

  Directions: Take the West Entrance into Lake Padden City Park, directly off of Samish Way, to the parking area by the bathrooms just above the swimming area. (Don't take the East Entrance onto Lakeshore Drive which leads to the larger picnic area & golf course).

  Meet at the east end of the bathroom building.

  Timing: We'll begin our walk at 8:00pm and expect to be back at the parking lot no later than 10 pm (sunset will be at 8:19 pm with full dark as we close).

  Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.

  Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. You can include a donation to the hike leader during registration or at any time through our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

  Show details
• Backpack: Mountains and Rivers Retreat

  • Start
    Saturday, September 06, 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM
  • End
    Thursday, September 11, 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM
  • Location
    Hawk Meadow Farm 1102 E. Kelly Rd, Bellingham and Mount Baker Wilderness
  • Spaces left
    4

  Register

  Mountains and Rivers Backpacking Retreat

  Nature Awareness, Backcountry Zen practice, and Exchanging Water

  • Requires a phone interview about your experience and abilities, with a discussion of the route, to complete the registration process
  • 2.9 mile approach hike, river crossing on log, 1,800' elevation gain, soft forested trail, with a long switch-back grade in the middle and a few tough steep places near the end. 
  • Day hiking to higher elevations from camp, alpine above timberline, several miles
  • 9 mile exit hike, a gentler grade 2,300' elevation loss, soft forested trails, rocky areas, river crossing on log
  • Between two and eight 30-minute periods of seated Zen meditation (zazen) each day, trailside rituals, and sutra chanting services.

  

  Inspired by Eihei Dogen's 1240 text the Mountains and Rivers Sutra (Sansuikyo), this retreat includes a day of guided nature awareness and meditation in the front-country followed by four days and three nights of silent backpacking through a beautiful old growth hemlock forest to a seldom-visited base camp at Mazama Park, just south of Mount Baker at the foot of Park Butte. Our days will be interspersed with some social and free time.

  Activities include traditional Zen practice, a solo wilderness exercise, a day of Zen meditation, and opportunities for day hiking. The retreat is appropriate for new meditators and beginning backpackers.

  The retreat begins at Hawk Meadow Farm with a day of meditation, preparation, and nature awareness activities.  The ritual form of the backpack is a pilgrimage to our home mountain, "sutra mapping" the Sansuikyo on the upper watersheds of the South and Middle Forks of the Nooksack River.

  Led by Reizan Bob Penny & Nomon Tim Burnett - see our Practice Leaders page for more about them.

  Schedule:
  

  Saturday (9/6/25): Arrive at Hawk Meadow Farm at 1 PM for an orientation, gear inventory, sorting, and pack up, group dinner, and evening zazen.

  Sunday (9/7/25) : Hidden Mountain Zendo and Sansui-ji Mountains and Waters practice day. Start with zazen at 6 AM followed by breakfast at Hidden Mountain. Then, on to Sansui-ji for practice from 9:30-noon, including a jundo blessing for the departing pilgrims. We'll have lunch at Sansui-ji, followed by Cedarwood Pilgrimage Walk from 1-3 PM and return to Hidden Mountain for an intentions ceremony in the Cedar Grove. 

  
  

  Monday (9/8/25): We’ll start early with meditation, drive to the trailhead, and hike in to our backcountry zendo at Mazama Meadows just below Mount Baker. We hike in silence with regular stops to chant the Sansuikyo.

  Tuesday (9/9/25): In the backcountry with a mix of formal Zen practice, day hiking, and relaxed camp life. A personal solo morning at your own meditation spot on one of the days.

  Wednesday (9/10/25): Zazenkai (siilent retreat with zazen and kinhin) in the backcountry until 4 PM.
  

  Thursday (9/11/25): We’ll hike back out from the backcountry returning to Hawk Meadow Farm to close the program by about 7pm.

  Hike Difficulty:
  This is a moderately challenging backpack. The hike in is 2.9 miles long and gains 1,800 feet. The hike out (with lighter packs) is about 9 miles and mostly downhill. We'll have two in-camp days with moderate day hiking as well.

  Pre-hike interview required:  A telephone interview with Bob to assess questions around hiking gear and fitness is required before registration is completed.

  More information: Please contact Wilderness Programs Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org with questions and see our Wilderness Dharma Program webpage for an overview of this program.
  

  Timing: Meet at Hawk Meadow Farm (1102 E. Kelly Road, Bellingham) by 6pm on Friday. Plan to be back at Hawk Meadow between 6pm and 7pm on the following Wednesday.

  What to Bring: Full set of backpacking gear. All food is provided with the registration fee (informed by a discussion of individual preferences and needs). Details will be provided.

  Donations to the Leaders: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. Unlike our "indoor" retreats dana (teacher donation) is not collected during the event, but dana given before or after the event is always welcome, and you can do so on our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program. 

  Show details
• Hike: Ptarmigan Ridge

  • When
    Saturday, September 13, 2025
  •  
    8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Carpool from the Cedarwood Zendo or Nugent's Corner

  A gentle high altitude hike in fall colors
  

  • 4 to 6 miles
  • Very gradual elevation gains, perhaps 200' gain/loss
  • A very popular hike, perhaps with crowded, at times rocky, trail

  This high ramble along an alpine ridge in the fall colors promises to give us a final farewell to the high mountains for our hiking season. This is a low difficulty hike, which penetrates deep into the North Cascades, and we can go as far as we want before turning back on the out-and-back route. Although the trail will likely be well populated there is plenty of space for us to step off trail for a high altitude ceremony celebrating the mountains. If time and weather permits we will search out a location for some sitting meditation along the way.

  Timing: Meet at our zendo at 2509 Cedarwood at 8:30am or at the Nugent's Corner Market in Deming at 9am. We hope to return to Cedarwood by 5pm but return times can vary.

  What to Bring: Bring a lunch, generous snacks, at least two liters of water, and layers. Good footwear is recommended. Bring rain gear, and we will take it with us unless there is absolutely zero chance of rain.

  Carpooling: You will indicate during registration where you're meeting the group. Note that carpooling is an indoor "activity" to please be aware of our current Covid Policies.

  Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.

  Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. You can include a donation to the hike leader during registration or at any time through our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

  
  

  Show details
• Hike: Journey to the Source (Nooksack Cirque)

  • When
    Saturday, September 20, 2025
  •  
    5:00 AM - 7:00 PM
  • Location
    Carpool from the Cedarwood Zendo or Nugent's Corner

  Register

  An intensive long day hike to the source of the Nooksack River

  • a phone interview is required to complete your registration
  • 12 miles
  • Very gradual elevation gain, basically flat
  • Extremely rugged off-trail walking over logs, boulders, and sandbars for at least half the distance. Many stream crossings. The hike takes 12 hours on the trail, moving at a decent pace, and is very strenuous.

  

  A journey to a magical place close to home. Few people venture to the very upper reaches of the North Fork of the Nooksack River: the Nooksack Cirque.

  It is a long and strenuous 12-mile hike in and out of the North Fork drainage, largely off-trail on rocky terrain, with numerous brief crossings of the reduced-flow late summer river channel. Plan on a very full day, hiking at a good pace, and wearing hiking boots with wool socks.

  At the Cirque we will perform the years final Exchanging Water ritual in the ice caves amid waterfalls, transferring water from the Salish Sea with mountain glacial water, which we annually perform at the headwaters of all three branches of the Nooksack.

  A Challenging Hike: If you are new to this hike a telephone or email exchange with program coordinator Bob Penny to determine your fitness for the journey will be required to complete your registration.

  Timing: Meet at our zendo at 2509 Cedarwood at 5am or at the Nugent's Corner Market in Deming at 6am. A very early start is essential to have sufficient daylight for this long day hike. We hope to return to Cedarwood by 7pm but return times can vary.

  What to Bring: Bring a lunch, generous snacks, at least two liters of water, and layers. Wearing hiking boots to protect your ankles with wool socks which we expect to get wet are recommended. Spare/dry clothing to change into back at the vehicles is a good option.

  Carpooling: You will indicate during registration where you're meeting the group. Note that carpooling is an indoor "activity" to please be aware of our current Covid Policies.

  Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.

  Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. You can include a donation to the hike leader during registration or at any time through our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

  Show details
• Practice Period 2025 Application

  • Start
    Wednesday, September 24, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Sunday, November 23, 2025
  •  
  • Location
    Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St, Bellingham, and Online on Zoom

  Register

  FALL 2025 Practice Period  September 24th-November 23rd

  

  2025 Practice Period Events

  Separate Registration is Required for Several Events

  • Opening Ceremony - Wednesday September 24th, Sansui-ji Mountains and Waters Temple & Online. All welcome; no registration required.

  • Opening Sesshin - evening of Thursday September 25th through Sunday November 23rd. Sansui-ji & Online. Separate registration required 

  • Ordination Ceremony for Myoki Raizelah Bayen - Sunday September 28th 10:30am - 12:30 pm. Sansui-ji and Online. All welcome. Celebrating the beginning of Raizelah's life-long journey serving the sangha and the world as a Sōtō Zen priest. Followed by a potluck reception and tea.

  • Regular Zazen Meetings - Weekday Morning sit online, Wednesday evenings sit Sansui-ji & Online, Sunday mornings Zen Alive!  All welcome; no registration required. 

  • Shuso's Way Seeking Mind Talk.  Join us on Saturday, September 27th at 10:30am. Sansui-ji & Online. No registration required. 

  • Shuso's Class on “The Path of a Committed Buddhist Layperson”. Monday evenings in person 6:30pm - 8:00pm with one Saturday class 10AM-1PM, and one Monday evening held remotely. September 29th-November 17th. Sansui-ji & Online. Separate registration required
    
    
  • Practice Period Resources - A place to collect books, talks and other resources for practice period and the shuso's class. 

  • Samish Fall Sesshin - Thursday eve November 6th - Sunday September 9th including a jukai ceremony on Sunday at 11am.
    
    
  • Tea with the Shuso - arranged with the shuso & benji, many time slots will be available.

  • Closing One-Day Sesshin - Sunday November 23rd 7am - 3pm. Sansui-ji & Online.  Separate registration required

  • Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony - Sunday November 23rd, 3pm. Sansui-ji & Online. All welcome.

  About Practice Period

  Practice Period is a time in which Zen students practice intensively together. Historically, practice period started with the rains retreats of the early Buddhist nuns and monks when they could not travel due to heavy rains. During that time they settled down for more intensive practice. 

  Although we don't live in monasteries, each winter in the spirit of those in monastic practice, we settle our busy lives in order to intensify our practice. We bring our mindfulness and Dharma practice to the foreground of our lives more than usual. Annual practice periods have been an essential part of Zen practice for a thousand years and an important part of Red Cedar Zen for over 20 years. 

  In the center of the mandala of Practice Period is the head student, or shuso, who serves as the center of the sangha wheel giving classes, Dharma talks, and meets in small groups with practice period students over tea.

  Meals:
  You will need a 3-bowl Oryoki set at both Opening Sesshin and Closing Sesshin. Instruction on Oryoki eating will be provided, no problem if you've never eaten oryoki before. You can purchase a set from our friends at Still Sitting (please order the Navy Blue cloths). Red Cedar Zen is not able to provide loaner oryoki sets at this time.

  
  

  Shuso: This year's Shuso is Ken Oates. Learn more about Ken at the Shuso's Class page.

  Practice Period Theme: We will be guided this year by a study of "The Path of the Committed Layperson," supported by Shuso Ken Oates.

  Location: Events may be in-person, on-line or a combination. Check individual events for details. Information for attending in-person or online can be found on the Our Zendo page of the website. When attending in person, please adhere to our Covid Safety Guidelines.

  Practice Period Registration: two steps

  Please first do an overall registration from here to state your intentions for the period, sign up for a practice partner, and let us know if you need any assistance when attending in-person. 

  Secondly, if you are attending either of the two retreats or the shuso's class, please continue on to those events for additional required registrations.

  Practice Period Schedule (Application)
  

  • Opening Ceremony  Wednesday September 24th
  • Regular Zazen Meetings - Weekday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and Sunday mornings.
  • Opening Sesshin - Thursday September 25th-Sunday September 28th. 
  • Ordination Ceremony for Myoki Raizelah Bayen - September 28th.
  • Shuso's Class Monday evenings + one Saturday September .
  • Shuso's Way Seeking Mind Talk - Saturday, September 27th, 10:30 AM.
  • Practice Period Resources - for our practice & the class.
    
  • Tea with the Shuso - by arrangement.
  • Closing Sesshin - Sunday, November 23rd, 7AM-5PM
  • Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony - . Sunday, November 23rd, 3-5PM

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• 2025 Practice Period Opening Ceremony

  • When
    Wednesday, September 24, 2025
  •  
    6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    Sansui-ji Mountains and Waters Temple, 2509 Cedarwood Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225

  

  Join us for this important sangha evening with meditation and ceremony to open our annual 8-week Fall Practice Period and consider our intentions for practice during this time. The Opening Ceremony is also the first part of the Opening Sesshin. 

  This year we will practice under the guidance of our Shuso (head student) Junka Ken Oates.

  First, Guiding Teacher Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and incoming Shuso Junka Ken will conduct the Shuso Entering Ceremony followed by the Practice Period Opening Ceremony.

  Second, all practice period participants present will be invited to briefly share their intentions for this year's Practice Period.

  This ceremony takes place during our regular Wednesday evening practice time - just drop in. If attending in person, please come for the entire evening.

  Also: this evening is also the first evening of the Practice Period Opening Sesshin for which a separate registration is required.

  Registration: None needed for the opening ceremony, but have you shared your intentions and requests with the teachers at Practice Period Application yet?

  Practice Period Schedule (Application)
  

  • Opening Ceremony  Wednesday September 24th
  • Regular Zazen Meetings - Weekday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and Sunday mornings.
  • Opening Sesshin - Thursday September 25th-Sunday September 28th. 
  • Ordination Ceremony for Myoki Raizelah Bayen - September 28th.
  • Shuso's Class Monday evenings + one Saturday September .
  • Shuso's Way Seeking Mind Talk - Saturday, September 27th, 10:30 AM.
  • Practice Period Resources - for our practice & the class.
    
  • Tea with the Shuso - by arrangement.
  • Closing Sesshin - Sunday, November 23rd, 7AM-5PM
  • Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony - . Sunday, November 23rd, 3-5PM

  
  

  Show details
• 2025 Practice Period Opening Sesshin

  • Start
    Thursday, September 25, 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM
  • End
    Sunday, September 28, 2025
  •  
    5:00 PM
  • Location
    Sansui-ji Mountains and Waters Temple, 2509 Cedarwood Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225

  Register

  

  Our 3-day sesshin with Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and Shuso Junka Ken Oates opens the Fall Practice Period. 

  Look forward to alternating sitting, walking, ceremony, formal meals, a daily Dharma Talk and opportunities to meet privately with the teachers.

  Shudo Chris Burkhart and Hoka Chris Fortin will also be present and available for dokusan.
  

  All are welcome to access the deep practice of sesshin regardless of how many of the practice period events you are able to attend. 

  Daily Schedule:

  Thursday 7pm - 9pm
  Friday & Saturday 7am - 8:30pm
  Sunday 7am - 2pm

  Meals: You will need a 3-bowl Oryoki set at this retreat. Instruction on Oryoki eating will be provided, no problem if you've never eaten oryoki before. You can purchase a set from our friends at Still Sitting (please order the Navy Blue cloths). Red Cedar Zen is not able to provide loaner oryoki sets at this time.

  Attendance: If you can’t attend full time in person, you may register for any whole day. Please attend the Thursday evening orientation if possible.

  Dharma Talks: All Practice Period participants are warmly invited to attend the Dharma Talks even if you aren't attending the sesshin. In person - arrive 5-10 minutes early.

  Friday 10:40am: Nomon Tim Burnett

  Saturday 10:40am: Junka Ken Oates

  Special Event:
  

  Sunday morning will also include an ordination ceremony for Myoki Raizelah Bayen at 10am followed by informal lunch and clean up to close sesshin.

  Registration: Is required for this event. And, have you shared your Practice Period intentions with the teachers at Practice Period 2025 Application yet?

  Zoom Attendees: The sesshin can be accessed via the Zendo page, specifically under the heading Online Zendo where it says "Enter Virtual Zendo on Zoom."

  Practice Period Schedule (Application)
  

  • Opening Ceremony  Wednesday September 24th
  • Regular Zazen Meetings - Weekday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and Sunday mornings.
  • Opening Sesshin - Thursday September 25th-Sunday September 28th. 
  • Ordination Ceremony for Myoki Raizelah Bayen - September 28th.
  • Shuso's Class Monday evenings + one Saturday September .
  • Shuso's Way Seeking Mind Talk - Saturday, September 27th, 10:30 AM.
  • Practice Period Resources - for our practice & the class.
    
  • Tea with the Shuso - by arrangement.
  • Closing Sesshin - Sunday, November 23rd, 7AM-5PM
  • Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony - . Sunday, November 23rd, 3-5PM

  Show details
• Shuso's Way Seeking Mind Talk

  • When
    Saturday, September 27, 2025
  •  
    10:30 AM
  • Location
    Sansui-ji, 2509 Cedarwood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225, and online

  Join us for the Shuso's first formal Dharma Talk during the 2025 Fall Practice Period.

  Please join us as Shuso Junka Ken Oates shares about his life in practice during the 2025 Practice Period Opening Sesshin.

  Everyone in the Fall Practice Period is warmly encouraged to attend, but all are welcome to join us for this special evening.  No registration is required.

  Show details
• Ordination Ceremony for Myoki Raizelah Bayen

  • When
    Sunday, September 28, 2025
  •  
    10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    On Zoom & Sansui-ji Mountains and Waters Temple, 2509 Cedarwood Avenue, Bellingham, WA

  Register

  
  

  Red Cedar Zen Community would like to warmly invite everyone - sangha, family and friends - in support of the Novice Priest Ordination (Shukke Tokudo) for Myoki Raizelah Bayen with her teacher Hoka Chris Fortin from Dharma Heart Zen.

  At this ceremony Raizelah will receive her formal priests' robes and bowls and begin a life-long journey serving the sangha and the world as a Sōtō Zen priest.

  This intimate ceremony will be immediately followed by a potluck lunch and reception. Please bring a small potluck lunch item and your warm hearts. 

  If you have questions, need assistance registering for this event or anything else, please contact admin@redcedarzen.org.

  This special ceremony will concludes the community's Fall Practice Period 3 Day Opening Sesshin. The sesshin and ceremony will occur in Sansui-ji, Mountains and Waters temple. 

  For those supporting and celebrating Raizelah on Zoom, you will join the ceremony using the link to our Online Zendo found on the Zendo page of our website.

  Show details
• Shuso's Class

  • Start
    Monday, September 29, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Monday, November 17, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    7 sessions
  • Location
    Online Zoom Zendo + Sansui-ji for Saturday Nov 1st

  Register

  2025 Practice Period Shuso's Class

  Please join Junka Ken Oates as he guides us on a study of “The Path of the Committed Layperson in Zen."

  Resources: Junka Ken will be emailing class participants links for reading and other resources throughout the duration of the class.

  ---

  Schedule: 

  Six Monday evenings (5 in person), September 29th-November 17th, from 6:30-8:00pm. Evening sessions are online via Zoom.

  Plus a Saturday session: November 1st 10am - 1pm which will be held in person with a Zoom-in (hybrid) option.

  Registration: Registration is required. The fees help us cover the costs of administering this class - thank you for your support.

  About Ken:

  

  Junka Ken has been practicing meditation since 2010 and studying Zen with Red Cedar Zen and Nomon Tim Burnett since 2012. He went through precepts training and the Jukai ceremony in 2016. In addition to his involvement with Red Cedar Zen, he practices Shito-Ryu karate-do and is Yondan, or 4th degree black belt. He strangely finds the most mindful moments to be in karate, sailing and walking his dog.

  
  

  
  

  Registration: Is required for this class. And, have you shared your Practice Period intentions and requests with the teachers at Practice Period 2025 Application yet?

  Practice Period Schedule (Application)
  

  • Opening Ceremony  Wednesday September 24th
  • Regular Zazen Meetings - Weekday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and Sunday mornings.
  • Opening Sesshin - Thursday September 25th-Sunday September 28th. 
  • Ordination Ceremony for Myoki Raizelah Bayen - September 28th.
  • Shuso's Class Monday evenings + one Saturday September .
  • Shuso's Way Seeking Mind Talk - Saturday, September 27th, 10:30 AM.
  • Practice Period Resources - for our practice & the class.
    
  • Tea with the Shuso - by arrangement.
  • Closing Sesshin - Sunday, November 23rd, 7AM-5PM
  • Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony - . Sunday, November 23rd, 3-5PM

  Show details
• Opening to Nature Walk: Heart Lake Circumambulation/Heart Sutra

  • When
    Saturday, October 11, 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Carpool from the Cedarwood Zendo or meet at trailhead near Mt. Erie

  Register

  Chanting & Walking the Heart Sutra at Heart Lake

  • 3 miles
  • mostly level, gently rolling, with a steady 1/4 mile long incline near the end
  • soft forest paths, old growth forest

  Join Red Cedar Zen Community on a ritual circumambulation around Heart Lake, with ceremonies chanting the Heart Sutra: an experience of "Sutra Mapping", extending the words of a sutra across an area of landscape.

  Heart Lake, a State Park managed by the City of Anacortes, is both heart-shaped and the heart of the 3,000-acre Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL). The Lake is surrounded by a forest identified as the most intact Douglas-fir / cedar / hemlock ecosystem remaining in the state at sea level. Sangha board president Joden Bob Rose was a key player in getting this area protected many years ago and will be leading this year's hike.

  We will walk in a clockwise direction, in silence, and stop at 6 points to ritually chant the Heart Sutra with the mokugyo drum and incense, alternating between the English and Sino-Japanese versions.

  This is an easy, mostly flat walk of less than 3 miles on a well-used trail with one significant incline toward the end. There are outhouses at both the Mt. Erie parking lot and at the Heart Lake parking lot.

  Timing: Meet at the Sugarloaf Trailhead of the Anacortes Community Forest (Mt. Erie) to begin our walk at 10am. Or if carpooling from our zendo at Cedarwood, meet at 9am.

  Carpooling:  You can drive yourself to the trailhead (directions below), or you can carpool for this trip from the our 2509 Cedarwood zendo in Bellingham. You will indicate which during the registration process. Note that carpooling is an indoor "activity" - please be aware of our current Covid Policy.

  What to Bring: Wear good walking shoes, appropriate clothing for the weather, and bring water and snacks.

  Lunch Option: After the hike, if participants choose, there will be an opportunity to have lunch together very nearby in Anacortes at an outdoor seating restaurant.

  Directions to Mt. Erie, from Bellingham:

  • I-5 to Hwy 20

  • West on 20, over Swinomish Channel Bridge until roundabout for Whidbey Island (towards Oak Harbor).

  • TURN South on Hwy 20 towards Whidbey.

  • Road drops towards Campbell Lake (visible ahead).  Stay in right lane and turn right on Campbell Lake Road.

  • Drive Campbell Lake Road along base of Mount Erie.

  • Road will curve right at Lake Erie Grocery and becomes Heart Lake Road.

  • Drive Heart Lake road, past two prominent old growth fir, about a mile until signs for Mount Erie.

  • Veer right into parking area for Sugarloaf trailhead.

  Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.

  Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. You can include a donation to the hike leader during registration or at any time through our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program.

  Show details
• Hike & Ceremony: Closing the Mountains, Returning the Waters

  • When
    Saturday, October 18, 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Carpool from the Cedarwood Zendo or meet at trailhead

  Register

  Returning Water and Ascending to the Oyster Dome

  

   A five mile day hike to close the mountains to practice

  Join us for one, or both, of two connected Wilderness Dharma events.

  The Hike: 10am - 3pm - Chuckanut Drive to the Oyster Dome

  • 8.0 miles round trip
  • 1,896' elevation gain, and then loss
  • well-built soft forest trail

  Join us for a meditation hike to the gem of the Chuckanuts: Oyster Dome. This popular local destination, a prominent rocky outcrop on the southwest face of Blanchard mountain, will be our place of Closing the Mountains for the ending of our ritual hiking season.   

  This hike, inspired by traditions on Tibetan sacred mountains where the last ritual circuit of the season was performed by priests putting the mountain to rest, will be a 6.3 mile round trip with about a 1,896' elevation gain. This is a large elevation gain for the distance, and the trail climbs the entire way. On the dome we will perform a ritual combining water from the three headwater branches of the Nooksack River. At the end of the hike we will carpool to Larrabee Beach for our seasons final ritual, returning water to the Salish Sea.

  Returning Water Ceremony: Approximately 3pm, Larrabee State Park

  • 1/2 mile, round trip, path to the beach
  • 200' elevation loss, then gain
  • many stair steps going down, and then back up

  A returning water ritual completes our Wilderness Dharma Program hiking season and all are encouraged to attend to offer the water we have carried through out the season back to the Salish Sea. You are welcome attend this ritual even if you did not do the hike.

  Meeting up: You can meet us for the hike at the Chuckanut Drive Oyster Dome Trailhead (just south of Oyster Creek) by 10am or opt to carpool from the our Cedarwood Zendo in Bellingham, meeting at 9:15am for the drive to the trailhead.

  If you are joining us for the ritual at the end we will arrive there at approximately 3pm at the band shell area at Larrabee State Park. Take the main entrance and head south to the band shell and beach access parking area. Take the Larrabee main entrance and head south to the band shell and beach access parking area.

  Dress appropriately for the weather, with good footwear for the trail.  Bring a sack lunch and at least two liters of water. We will eat lunch on top of the dome.

  What to Bring: Trail snacks and sack lunch, sturdy hiking shoes, hiking poles if you use them, and two liters of water. Dress in layers.

  Carpooling: Please mention in a comment on your registration if you need to  a ride and we will try to assist. Carpooling is an indoor "activity" - please be aware of our current Covid Policy. 

  Registration: While our day hikes are offered without charge, we do incur about $10 of program administration cost for each registration. There is the opportunity during registration to donate to cover these costs for your own registration or, additionally, to help another cover their registration expenses. Everyone is welcome, and no one will be refused attendance for lack of funds. As we do on the trail, we support each other.

  Donations to the Leader: As with all of our events, teachers/leaders are not compensated for their time. Unlike our "indoor" retreats dana (teacher donation) is not collected during the event, but dana given before or after the event is always welcome, and you can do so on our Donate to a Teacher page.

  Questions? Contact Wilderness Dharma Program Coordinator Bob Penny at wilderness@redcedarzen.org and see our Wilderness Dharma Program page for an overview of this program. 

  Show details
• Samish Island Fall Sesshin 2025 - On the Island and on Zoom

  • Start
    Thursday, November 06, 2025
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • End
    Sunday, November 09, 2025
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • Location
    Samish Island Campground, 11565 Scott Rd Bow WA 98232 and Online on Zoom

  Register

  Join us for our Fall 3-day Residential Sesshin at Samish Island

  

  This 3-day residential sesshin will include all of our meals eaten oryoki style, alternating periods of zazen (sitting) and kinhin (walking) meditation, Dharma Talks, and a special sangha celebration.

  
  

  Schedule:

  Arrive Thursday afternoon to settle in, eat your own packed in dinner, and begin silence.

  Friday and Saturday will be full sesshin days 6am to 8:30pm with alternating zazen and kinhin, meals, Dharma Talks, opportunities for dokusan with the teachers, and a work period.

  On Sunday we'll have our jukai ceremony at 11:00 in the morning, an informal lunch, clean up the camp and be out by 4pm. 

  Now on Zoom:
  Zoom attendance at all zendo events is now available. We're unable to provide dokusan over Zoom due to internet limitations at Samish.

  Special Ceremony:
  Sunday at 11:00 am: Jukai, Receiving the Precepts, Ceremony for several sangha members. You may attend the jukai separately, but please register here if you plan to do so. 

  Meals:
  You will need a 3-bowl Oryoki set at this retreat. Instruction on Oryoki eating will be provided, no problem if you've never eaten oryoki before. You can purchase a set from our friends at Still Sitting (please order the Navy Blue cloths). Red Cedar Zen is not able to provide loaner oryoki sets at this time.

  Teachers & Dharma Talks:
  

  Everyone is welcome to come join us for Dharma Talks either in person or online. Be aware of our current Covid policy if you come. No registration needed.

  Friday, 10:30am Nomon Tim Burnett

  Saturday, 10:30am Kanho Chris Burkhart

  Kanho Chris Burkhart is the Head of Practice at Red Cedar Zen Community.	Nomon Tim Burnett is the Guiding Teacher of Red Cedar Zen Community

  
  

  Housing: Housing is provided with two options: E-Cabins and Rustic Cabins.

  E-Cabins are more recently built with a full bath shared with one other room. E-Cabins are in short supply in this retreat. Please choose a rustic cabin if that is possible for you in order to leave the E-cabins for those with health challenges. Or consider sharing an E-cabin. 

  e-Cabin Exterior

  e-Cabin Interior

  Rustic Cabins - simple plywood cabins built in the 1950's. Camp style bathrooms in a separate building. Most rustic housing will be single (not shared), however if couples or friends are willing to share a cabin this can make a difference in accommodating everyone if the sesshin is full.

  Rustic Cabin, exterior

  Rustic cabin, interior

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• Jukai Precepts Ceremony 2025

  • When
    Sunday, November 09, 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Samish Island Campground, 11565 Scott Rd Bow WA 98232 and Online on Zoom

  Register

  The Zen ceremony of Jukai (literally "receiving precepts") is a ceremony of commitment to the Zen precepts, the Zen path, and the sangha. Done by lay students it marks a deepening of commitment to Zen and a warming of relationship with the teacher. See Precepts and Jukai on the website for background on this important process.

  In this year's Jukai we expect eight Red Cedar members will receive the precepts from Nomon Tim Burnett and Kanhō Chris Burkhart. Our 2025 jukai recipients include David Clark, Heather Cunningham, Aaron Strong, Ariel Paulenich, Valerie Tonus, Brian Kennemer, Kandis Susol, and Jeff McKenna.

  This year's ceremony is part of our 3 day residential sesshin at Samish Island Retreat Center. If you are registered for sesshin you do not need to register separately for Jukai.  If your friend or family member is participating in the Jukai ceremony and you wish to attend to support them in their commitment, please register for this event so that we can ensure we are prepared to accommodate all attendees. 

  Please arrive early to park and walk across the grounds to the zendo in time for the 11:00 am ceremony start. Ceremony will be followed by a simple lunch plus a reception potluck of treats. Feel free to bring something yummy, but this is not required.

  This year the Jukai ceremony will also be available on Zoom.

  Show details
• 2025 Practice Period Closing Sesshin

  • When
    Sunday, November 23, 2025
  •  
    7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Sansui-ji, 2509 Cedarwood Avenue, Bellingham, WA and Online on Zoom

  Register

  

  Our one-day sit with Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett and Shuso Junka Ken Oates closes the Fall Practice Period.

  The practice of sesshin is a powerful opportunity including alternating sitting and walking meditation, a Dharma Talk, dokusan with the teachers, silent meals, breaks, and afternoon tea.

  The sesshin concludes with the Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony on Saturday at 2pm. All practice period students are warmly invited.

  
  

  Schedule: 7am - 5pm

  Meals:
  You will need a 3-bowl Oryoki set at this retreat. Instruction on Oryoki eating will be provided, no problem if you've never eaten oryoki before. You can purchase a set from our friends at Still Sitting (please order the Navy Blue cloths). Red Cedar Zen is not able to provide loaner oryoki sets at this time.

  Dharma Talks: you may come to the retreat’s Dharma Talks even if you aren’t attending the retreat – if you come in person, just arrive a few minutes early and enter during the walking meditation:

  Special Ceremony: All Practice Period participants are warmly invited to attend the Shuso’s Dharma Inquiry Ceremony on Sunday at 2pm. If you are attending in person please arrive about 10 minutes and enter during kinhin (walking meditation).

  Registration: Is required for this retreat. And, have you shared your Practice Period intentions and requests with the teachers at Practice Period 2025 Application yet?

  Practice Period Schedule (Application)
  

  • Opening Ceremony  Wednesday September 24th
  • Regular Zazen Meetings - Weekday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and Sunday mornings.
  • Opening Sesshin - Thursday September 25th-Sunday September 28th. 
  • Ordination Ceremony for Myoki Raizelah Bayen - September 28th.
  • Shuso's Class Monday evenings + one Saturday September .
  • Shuso's Way Seeking Mind Talk - Saturday, September 27th, 10:30 AM.
  • Practice Period Resources - for our practice & the class.
    
  • Tea with the Shuso - by arrangement.
  • Closing Sesshin - Sunday, November 23rd, 7AM-5PM
  • Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony - . Sunday, November 23rd, 3-5PM

  Show details
• Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony

  • When
    Sunday, November 23, 2025
  •  
    3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Sansui-ji Mountains and Waters Temple, 2509 Cedarwood Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225

  Register

  An important ceremony for the Shuso's training and the culmination of Practice Period.

  Join us with a question from the heart to share with Shuso Junka Ken Oates at the Hossinshiki ceremony which also concludes the Practice Period Closing Sesshin.

  Everyone who participated in the Fall Practice Period is warmly encouraged to attend whether you are signed up for the sesshin or not.

  The ceremony is a heart-to-heart encounter between each Practice Period student and the shuso. Together we bring up the Dharma in this important empowerment ritual for the shuso and the sangha.  

  You will be invited to ask the shuso a question about the Dharma. This should be a genuine question about your own practice, life, and heart. The shuso will respond from their felt experience as the practitioner in the center of our shared mandala. 

  Registration if you are not already attending the sesshin: Please register for the ceremony here and choose between the in person and online options. If you are joining us in-person, please arrive about 10 minutes early and enter during kinhin (walking meditation).

  Also, have you shared your Practice Period intentions and requests with the teachers at 2025 Practice Period Application yet?

  Practice Period Schedule (Application)
  

  • Opening Ceremony  Wednesday September 24th
  • Regular Zazen Meetings - Weekday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and Sunday mornings.
  • Opening Sesshin - Thursday September 25th-Sunday September 28th. 
  • Ordination Ceremony for Myoki Raizelah Bayen - September 28th.
  • Shuso's Class Monday evenings + one Saturday September .
  • Shuso's Way Seeking Mind Talk - Saturday, September 27th, 10:30 AM.
  • Practice Period Resources - for our practice & the class.
    
  • Tea with the Shuso - by arrangement.
  • Closing Sesshin - Sunday, November 23rd, 7AM-5PM
  • Shuso's Dharma Inquiry Ceremony - . Sunday, November 23rd, 3-5PM

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• Samish Island Sesshin 2026 - Save the Date

  • Start
    Friday, June 12, 2026
  •  
    5:00 PM
  • End
    Saturday, June 20, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    Samish Island Campground, 11565 Scott Rd Bow WA 98232
  • Spaces left

  Save the dates for the 2026 sesshin:
  June 12 - June 20, 2026

  Registration will be open in early 2026

  Our annual 7-day (8 nights) silent Zen sesshin with Zoketsu Norman Fischer with talks and interview also available with Nomon Tim Burnett and others, includes seven days and eight nights of silent practice of sitting and walking meditation in this beautiful church camp on the water on Samish Island in the Skagit Valley. Retreat includes dharma talks by Norman and other Northwest teachers, dokusan and practice discussion, sitting and walking meditation, and delicious vegetarian meals. A deep time for practice and reflection with the support of sangha and teachers.
  

  Many photos of Samish are available on our Photos page.

  The following information is from a past Samish sesshin to give you an overview before registration opens.

  To keep current on this and all our events, please join our email list!

  Please note that this sesshin will be Zoketsu Norman Fischer's last time teaching with Red Cedar as he moves into fuller retirement.

  Schedule:
  You may attend the entire retreat or just the first or second half. Second half attendance is only appropriate to those who have sat sesshin with us before. We are unable to offer other attendance choices. Signing up is making a commitment to be part of the retreat for the entire period you signed up for.

  

  Full Retreat - Friday 5:00pm to Saturday at noon

  First Half - Friday  5:00pm to Tuesday at 5pm

  Second Half - Tuesday at 5pm to Saturday at noon.

  Prerequisites & Requirements
  This is a rigorous and structured experience. To benefit from being at Samish Sesshin please abide by the following requirements.

  • You should have attended at least one full day formal meditation retreat before attending this 7-day, 8-night retreat. Please do not register if you have never sat a full day of formal meditation (in Zen or other traditions is fine).
  • If you have never attended Samish sesshin please start at the beginning by attending the full retreat or the first half, and do not attend just the second half.
    Orientation and instructions are offered at the beginning only.
  • No attendance options other than the three listed above can be accommodated. 
  • This is a silent retreat without talking, reading, writing, computer or cell phone use. Please be prepared to follow this guideline fully.
  • Following the full schedule is a core practice of Zen. Some alternate schedules can be arranged with the Ino in cases of health and other needs.
  • Plan on remaining at Samish Island camp during the entire time of your sesshin attendance, not leaving for errands or appointments, etc., and remaining at the camp through final clean up at noon on Saturday unless illness or unavoidable travel arrangements prevent this.

  Housing:
  There are currently four different housing options to choose from:

  E-Cabins are recently built multi-room cabins with a bath shared with one other room. E-Cabins are in short supply in this retreat. Please choose a rustic cabin if that is possible for you in order to leave the e-cabins for those with health challenges. Or consider sharing an e-cabin. 

  e-Cabin Exterior

  e-Cabin Interior

  Rustic Cabins - simple plywood cabins built in the 1950's. Camp style bathrooms in a separate building. Most rustic housing will be private (not shared), however, if couples or friends are willing to share a cabin this can make a difference in accommodating everyone if the sesshin is full.
  

  Rustic Cabin, exterior

  Rustic cabin, interior

  RV site with hookups - you can bring your own RV and connect to the camp's services.  A lower cost option.

  Tent - you can bring a tent and camp on the lawn. A lower cost option.

  Samish Island Campground

  We have rented the Community of Christ's wonderful camp at the eastern end of Samish Island for over a twenty-five years for our residential retreats. A wonderful place where sea meets sky.

  11565 Scott Rd, Bow, WA 98232
  Map and Directions

  Show details