​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Meditation Retreats


The Louisville Zen Center offers in-person and online Zen retreats and extended sittings. Anyone who has completed our Introduction to Zen Meditation—or a similar program—is welcome to join. For in-person retreat info at Heart of Perfect Wisdom Zendo, click here.  For joining us online, click here.

Dates Length Location Led by Deadline
June 26–29, 2025 3 days Chapin Mill Work Retreat John-s & Dhara-s Register
July 12–19, 2025 7 days Chapin Mill / Zoom Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede June 26
Sep. 27 – Oct. 4, 2025 7 days Chapin Mill / Zoom Sensei Dhara Kowal Sep. 11
Nov. 1–8, 2025 7 days Chapin Mill / Zoom Sensei John Pulleyn Oct. 16
Dec. 12–14, 2025 2 days Chapin Mill / Zoom To be determined Nov. 25

Extended Sitting – In-Person & Online

6:15am - 3:00pm, Date: TBD

Join us at Heart of Perfect Wisdom Zendo or online for this extended sitting. During Block 3, Ven. Jissai Prince-Cherry will offer Private Instruction to both in-person and online participants. You're welcome to attend part-time. To reserve a seat, for Zoom access, or for details about Private Instruction, contact us. Here is the typical schedule:


  • 6:15 am – Block 1: Zazen, Kinhin, Zazen
  • 7:30 am – Breakfast (provided)
  • 8:30 am – Block 2: Zazen, Kinhin, Chanting, Zen Talk
  • 10:15 am – Tea Break (provided)
  • 11:00 am – Block 3: Zazen, Kinhin, Zazen w/ Instruction, Kinhin, Zazen
  • 12:45 pm – Lunch (bring your own; no flesh foods)
  • 1:30 pm – Block 4: Zazen, Kinhin, Zazen, Kinhin, Zazen
  • 3:00 pm – Closing: The Four Vows


Suggested donation (non-members): $5 per block (cash, check, or PayPal). Any amount is appreciated. To support the Center long-term, consider becoming a member.

​​​​​​Sesshin: Intensive Zen Meditation Retreat

Louisville Zen Center members are welcome to join sesshin hosted by our mother temple, the Rochester Zen Center. Held monthly, these 2–7 day retreats include about 10 hours of zazen per day and offer one-to-one instruction three times daily.

Sesshin can be attended in person at Chapin Mill Retreat Center, online via RZC Zoom, or occasionally at HPWZ. To receive one-to-one instruction online, you must attend at least two of the four daily sitting blocks (including one with instruction). You may also join informally without one-to-one instruction.

Upcoming sesshin dates are listed below. LZC members receive discounted rates. Details here.​