Heart of the Mountain Sesshin: A Backpacking Sesshin at the Bells Mountain

This is a sesshin with movement built in—not a sit-still retreat. You'll backpack to a base camp on Bell's Mountain and practice zazen, chanting, and meals alongside guided hiking. Eight hours of seated meditation daily over eight days; the center has not yet published the sitting schedule or dokusan details.

The retreat integrates hiking as part of the practice rather than as break time. This signals a particular approach to sesshin: the mountain itself as teacher. Great Vow Zen Monastery has not published the lead teacher's name, the teacher's lineage, or practical details like lodging arrangements at base camp, what to bring, or how the backpacking logistics work. Contact the center for those specifics.