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 symptom free, given close proximity of seats in the zendo.
Retreat Dates for 2025
| Retreat Dates | Retreat Description | Register By |
| Feb 7-9 | 2-Day Retreat | completed |
| May 3 | 1-Day Retreat | Apr 28 |
| Aug 2 | 1-Day Retreat | Jul 28 |
| Nov 6-9 | 3-Day Traditional Retreat | Oct 31 |
| Dec 6 | Buddha’s Enlightenment Observance Retreat* (tentative format: 9am – 9pm, 2 meals) | Dec 1 |
* Traditional date is Dec 8.
1-Day Retreat
Retreats specified as “1-Day Retreat” are in-person, start promptly on Saturday at 9am and close on Saturday at 5:30pm
(Virtual option is dependent on circumstances, and is by invite only)
Vegetarian lunch is provided. Suggested donation $20*.
2-Day Retreat
Retreats specified as “2-Day Retreat” are in-person, start promptly at 7:00pm on Friday, and close at Noon on Sunday.
(Virtual option is dependent on circumstances, and is by invite only)
Meals are provided Saturday breakfast through Sunday breakfast. Suggested donation $60-$80*. The practice schedule is as follows:
7pm to 9pm on Friday
6am to 9pm on Saturday (3 vegetarian meals)
6am to Noon on Sunday (1 vegetarian meal)
You may download the daily schedule here.
3-Day Traditional Retreat
Retreats specified as “3-Day Traditional Retreat” are in-person, start promptly at 7:00pm on Thursday, and close at Noon on Sunday.
Meals are provided Friday breakfast through Sunday lunch. Suggested donation $120-$160*. The practice schedule is as follows:
7pm to 9pm on Thursday
6am to 9pm on Friday (3 vegetarian meals)
6am to 9pm on Saturday (3 vegetarian meals)
6am to Noon on Sunday (2 vegetarian meals)
You may download the daily schedule here.
Hybrid Retreat
Retreats specified as “Hybrid Retreat” are held on occasion to encourage participation in the more immersive traditional daily format, for those whose schedules or commutes otherwise preclude attendance. The daily format includes a Main Practice Period, and separate Extended Practice Periods with virtual attendance option. You must register by email in advance to receive any virtual invitations for any period. Invitations will be sent to registrants by separate email the week prior to the retreat.
Hybrid: Main Practice Period
The main practice period starts promptly at 9am and closes at 5:30pm.
(In-person attendance encouraged.)
Vegetarian lunch is provided. Suggested donation is $20*.
Hybrid: Extended Practice Periods
Extended Practice Periods may be attended either in person or virtually via Google Meet.
You may download the daily schedule here.
*Donations
Suggested donations for retreats use a simple rule-of-thumb based on meals taken (on the order of $15-$20 per meal). Your donation depends upon your own finances and volition. A separate donation may be offered in the tradition of direct support of a visiting teacher, if applicable (and should be specified as such).
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 (when applicable). GMZC is operated at zero profit. A brief description of GMZC expenses can be found at the bottom of the Weekly Practice page.
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.
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 for the retreat. Please include details of your desired arrival, departure, and meals to assist our meal planning.
Please note that 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 Retreats (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 | Buddha’s Enlightenment Observance* (Sat 7pm-10pm; Sun 9am-Noon) | Completed |