A retreat offers an opportunity for you to deepen your awareness of this precious life, and to experience the support of other sincere practitioners within the structure of a traditional Zen retreat atmosphere.
Retreats are held in silence at 12035 Mountcrest Rd SE, Huntsville, AL. Practice periods include 30 minute sitting periods interspersed with 15 minute walking periods.
In-person attendees should be vaccinated for COVID and symptom free, given close proximity of seats in the zendo.
Retreat Dates for 2024
| Retreat Dates | Retreat Description | Register By |
| Feb 24 | 1-Day Retreat | Completed |
| Mar 28-31 | 3-Day Single Flower Sangha Retreat | Completed |
| Jun 29 | 1-Day Retreat | Completed |
| Oct 10-13 | 3-Day Single Flower Sangha Retreat | Completed |
| Dec 7-8 | 1-Day+ Buddha’s Enlightenment Retreat (Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 9am-Noon)* | Mon, Dec 2 |
1-Day Retreats
Retreats specified as “1-Day Retreats” start promptly on Saturday at 9am and close on Saturday at 5:30pm (in-person only).
Lunch is provided.
3-Day Retreats
Retreats specified as “3-Day Retreats” open at 7:00pm on Thursday, and close at Noon on Sunday (in-person only).
Meals are provided Friday breakfast through Sunday lunch. The practice schedule is as follows:
7pm to 9pm on Thursday
6am to 9pm on Friday and Saturday
6am to Noon on Sunday
You may download the daily schedule here.
“Hybrid” Retreats
Retreats specified as “Hybrid Retreats” consist of Main Practice Periods (in-person only), and optional Extended Practice Periods (in-person or virtual).
“Hybrid” Main Practice Period
A main practice period starts promptly at 9am and closes at 5:30pm. Lunch is provided.
Participation during this period is in-person only. There is no virtual option.
“Hybrid” Extended Practice Periods
Extended practice periods expand the retreat day to approximate the traditional retreat schedule. This is to encourage participation by providing flexibility for those whose schedules preclude commitment for the entire retreat. Optional periods may be attended either in person or virtually via Google Meet. A virtual event invitation will be sent to registrants by separate email the week prior to the retreat. You must register by email in advance to receive any optional period invitations.
You may download the daily schedule here.
Donations
We are all encouraged to practice Dana Paramita (perfection of generosity). Offering periodic retreats would not be possible without the generous support of friends. 100% of all donations (Dana) are used for GMZC expenses and visiting teacher support. GMZC is operated at zero profit. A brief description of GMZC expenses can be found at the bottom of the Weekly Practice page.
A suggested rule-of-thumb for 3-Day retreats is on the order of $150-$200 for the full retreat or $75 per day, depending upon your own finances. A separate donation may be offered in the tradition of direct support of the visiting teacher (and should be specified as such).
You will not be turned away due to finances; your attendance is what is most valued. There are always opportunities to help in the kitchen or in preparing for the retreat. Please coordinate this ahead of time.
Suggested minimum donation for 1-Day retreats is $20.
A donation box is located on a table upon entry. Cash or checks. Checks to “Green Mountain Zen Center”.
Registration
If you would like to participate in a retreat, please email Gary at greenmountainzenhsv@gmail.com by the “Register By” date specified below. Please include details of your desired arrival, departure, and meals to assist our meal planning.
Please note that in-person attendance is space-limited to the first 12 people who register. If a retreat fills up, new registration requests will be added to a stand-by list in the order received.
Past Retreat Dates (2023)
| Retreat Dates | Retreat Description | Register By |
| March 3-5 | Hybrid Retreat | completed |
| May 5-7 | Hybrid Retreat | completed |
| Aug 19 | Sat-Only Retreat | completed |
| Oct 12-15 | Single Flower Sangha Retreat | completed |
| Dec 8-10 | Hybrid Retreat | completed |