Noble Giving/Dana-Based Suggested Tiers:
We are able to offer this retreat on a dana-basis. Please do know that the facility, food, and administrative (included estimated land trust dana) costs amount to $1,500/week per person, and this does not include teaching. No one is turned away for lack of funds! AND, if you are in a position where you are able to give to help support the participation of others, such as by funding a $1,500 scholarship, we would be grateful if you considered giving more. (Giving is tax-deductible.)
Benefactor: $2,000
Standard: $1,500
Access: No one is turned away for lack of funds due to financial hardship.
Deadline to apply
is based on our refund policy as outlined below.
Once you give, WE CANNOT GIVE REFUNDS IF YOU CANCEL as we are a small nonprofit. However, we offer credits toward an equivalent A2Z event(s) taking place within the same year when you cancel by email to Info.Access2Zen@gmail.com:
Apply by April 18th: 100% credit if cancelled 60 days before event
Apply by May 16th: 50% credit if cancelled 30 days before event
Apply by May 30th: 25% credit if 14 days before event
Apply after May 30th: No credit if less than 14 days before the event’s start date. We also cannot guarantee there will be room.
The sooner you can apply, the more likely it is that we can accommodate your rooming and other requests!
Health Agreements:
This is a strict scent-free retreat environment. Rev. Liên is highly sensitive to scents, and Big Springs will provide unscented soap and shampoo. Please use only scent-free personal hygiene and cosmetic products and refrain from wearing any fragrances. If you are unable to follow this agreement at the retreat center and cabins, we would have to ask you to leave as this would effect Rev’s ability to lead the retreat. Thank you for understanding and practicing scent-free community with us for this week!
COVID policy: Although we will not be requiring COVID tests for this retreat at this time, if there is a spike in cases shortly before the retreat begins, we will be requiring COVID tests and masks. If you become ill during the retreat, we will ask you to take a COVID test. If you test positive, you may be asked to leave if an isolated room is not available. In the event of a case, all participants will have to mask.
If you are experiencing or showing signs of illness that are related to allergies or other non-COVID health conditions, we would ask that you please let the manager know on arrival to Big Springs if you have any of these symptoms so we understand there is no risk of illness spreading.
If you test positive for COVID, 10 or less days before the beginning of the retreat, you would not be permitted to come to the retreat. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe during this week together!
Reconnect with ancestral Dharma teachings on kindness
Are you tired from the despair as fascism continues to unleash across our lands and communities?
If so, let’s come together to settle into and cultivate our compassionate heart-minds. To have the capacity to be with and then work to alleviate or end the “cries of the world,” we do need to take time to attend to ourselves in body, heart and mind.
Our ancestors have experienced similar circumstances before. In this 6-night silent retreat, various forms of ancestral Dharma teachings on aspects of kindness will be offered to support us to reconnect to and reclaim our wholeness. As such, Rev. will emphasis how to practice kindness on- and off-the-cushion.
NOTE: One way in which we put this into practice-action in a retreat format is reflected in the first 2 days of our time together: with a public lay-precepts ceremony for two Access to Zen members and then a Sangha Day (see below for full info).
We have deep gratitude to be able to offer this retreat in the midst of Nature’s beauty at Big Springs Retreat Center, on the traditional territories of the Mountain Maidu, Nisenan, and Washoe People. 3% of your dana/Noble Giving will be given to these land trusts: Maidu Summit Consortium (Mountain Maidu), CHIRP (Nisenan), and Wášiw-šiw Land Trust.
Format:
June 13-20, 2026: Saturday - Saturday
SATURDAY, 6/13: Arrival day
Saturday, 6/13 in late pm: Jukai (Lay Initiation Precepts) ceremony & celebration dinner
Sunday, 6/14: Sangha Day -- Various events to get to connect with your fellow retreat practitioners (yogis/sanghamates); hike or bird-watching, community-building exercises, zendo/meditation hall forms/space-negotiation-conduct, likely chanting, talking meal times, etc. Most are optional.
Sunday, 6/14, 7pm: 6-Nights Silent Retreat begins
Daily Instructions, Dharma Talk and Encouraging Word from Rev.
Opportunity for one or more 1-on-1 Practice Discussions/PDs with Rev. Liên.
Soto Zen spirit supported by an Insight schedule (45 minutes alternating between stationary & movement/walking meditation. Some forms/mindfulness-practices. No oryoki/formal Zen eating meditation.
Daily yogi job (about 45 minutes)
Saturday, 6/20: Retreat ends mid-morning. Departure day.
Pre-requisite: 2 one-days in Soto Zen or Insight traditions in the past 2 years or prior practice with Reverend Liên. We ask you to be as specific as possible in the application so we can understand if your experience and expectations are aligned with the format and style of this retreat. (Beginners are welcomed!)
Lodging and Food:
Learn more about the beautiful Big Springs Garden Retreat Center on their website.
ALL housing are double or single rooms in shared cabins. There are a very limited number of ADA rooms with private bathrooms. The earlier you apply, the more likely it is that we can accommodate any rooming needs you have!
CAMPERS need to provide all their own gear. (Most sites are platformed; with 1 chair and parasol.)
Food will be provided by a wonderful cook with vegan meals. Most food allergies and sensitivities can be accommodate.
