ZenistTrue Heart Women's Retreat 2026
Soto Zen
Three-day women's retreat led by a teacher at Hokyoji Zen Practice Community. Not strictly silent; combines meditation, body work, and group conversation. Lodging and vegetarian meals included. Open to all experience levels.
About this retreat
Hokyoji's annual True Heart Women's Retreat centers on Katagiri Roshi's teaching from Returning to Silence: the value of intentional quietness in a noisy world. This year's retreat runs Thursday evening through Sunday noon, anchored by the idea of returning to stillness — not through enforced silence, but through structured space for both quiet and connection.
What to expect
The retreat is lightly structured: periods of silent and guided meditation alternate with personal time, body work, and group conversation. The teacher notes explicitly that there will be laughter. You'll stay in a simple private room and eat vegetarian meals together. The retreat begins with supper Thursday and ends at noon Sunday.
Who this is for
Women of all backgrounds are explicitly welcome, including those with no meditation or Buddhist experience. No prior sitting practice is needed.
Cost and dana
The $320 registration fee covers lodging and all meals. Hokyoji compensates teachers through dana (voluntary donation); you can contribute before, during, or after the retreat if you wish.
Originally listed on Hokyoji Zen Practice Community's website.
Full details from Hokyoji Zen Practice Community
In the book Returning to Silence, Katagiri Roshi says, “Whatever kind of question you ask or whatever you think, finally you have to return to silence.” Katagiri points to a simple truth we often overlook in this exceedingly noisy world of ours: we need to be intentional about carving out space to slow down and catch up with ourselves.
That is the intention of Hokyoji’s annual True Heart Women’s Retreat, which I have the privilege of leading this year. The retreat begins with supper on Thursday, May 14 and ends at noon on Sunday, May 17. Though not strictly a silent retreat, it is an invitation to enter into stillness of being and connection with nature, with yourself, and with each other. The retreat is lightly structured to include periods of silent and guided meditation as well as personal time, body work, and group conversation. And yes, there will be laughter.
The fee includes accommodation in a simple private room and nourishing vegetarian meals. Women of all backgrounds are welcome, including those with no or very little experience in meditation or Buddhism.
Return to the silence of your true heart in the supportive company of other women in the springtime beauty of Minnesota’s Driftless Region. Hokyoji welcomes you with open arms.
Registration fees cover lodging and food. Hokyoji compensates teachers through the dana system. If you would like to contribute, you may do so before, at, or after the retreat. If you would like to donate online, please click here.
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