Zen Retreats with Boulder Morningstar Zen Center
Deepen your practice with in-person and online retreats.
Deepen your practice with in-person and online retreats.
KANZEON SESSHIN
June 4 - 8, 2024. CONSIDER NOW! Join the Morningstar Sangha for the annual Kanzeon sesshin that is marked by particular “outdoor” practices of the Silent Illumination teachings. Tuesday evening - Saturday morning. Fee: $450. Announcement for registration arriving soon!
Sesshin and Retreat Schedule 2024
COMING FULL CIRCLE TRAINING: MARCH 28 - 31. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 9 - 5, Sunday 9 - noon. IN-PERSON training, at The Barn in Boulder. (for all repeating and beginning participants.)
KANZEON Sesshin: June 4 - 8. Tuesday evening, Wednesday - Friday mornings online, Wednesday - Friday afternoons and Saturday morning, at The Barn in Boulder.
GOLDEN WIND Sesshin: September 24 - 28. Tuesday evening, Wednesday - Friday mornings online, Wednesday - Friday afternoons and Saturday morning, at The Barn in Boulder.
ROHATSU Sesshin: Dec. 3 - Dec. 7. Tuesday evening, Wednesday - Friday mornings online, Wednesday - Friday afternoons and Saturday morning, at The Barn in Boulder.
Announcements and registration for all retreats/sesshins will come between 4- 5 weeks in advance of the event. Coming Full Circle announcement will be sent the week of Jan. 15.
Practitioners of all levels of experience are welcome to apply for admittance into the events.
one bright Pearl retreat
MARCH 6 - 9, 2024
Wednesday evening - Saturday morning
“How could we not love the bright pearl? Its color and light, as they are, are endless. Each color and every ray of light at each moment and in every situation is the virtue of the whole Universe in ten directions: who would want to plunder it? No one would throw a tile into a street market.” -Dogen
The Morningstar Sangha will enter the quintessential expression of the ONE BRIGHT PEARL, brought alive through the depth of intensive retreat practice.
ONLINE: Wednesday evening, 6:45 - 8:00 pm (6:30 entry)
Thursday-Friday, 8:15 am - 12:30 pm (8:00 am entry), and evening practice, 7:00 - 8:15 pm (6:45 entry)
IN-PERSON at THE BARN: Thursday-Friday, 2:45 - 5:00 pm
Saturday morning, 8:30 - 10:45 (8:15 entry).
ONE BRIGHT PEARL RETREAT FEE: $325. Registration and non-refundable deposit of $150 NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 26. Remaining fee due NO LATER than MARCH
NOTE: FOR INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION: shericoldwell@ att.net
ROHATSU SESSHIN 2023
Tuesday evening, Dec. 5 - Saturday morning, Dec.9.
THE TRUE BUDDHA IS SITTING IN THE HOUSE
The buddha made of wood won’t pass through fire;
if she does, she will surely burn.
The buddha made of clay won’t pass through water;
if he does, he will surely drown.
The buddha made of gold won’t pass through a furnace;
if she does, she will surely melt.
The true buddha is sitting in the House.
The Morningstar Sangha will sit in solidarity with the myriad of practitioners around the world entering the quintessential ROHATSU sesshin, dedicated to sitting in the Eye of the Storm. Rohatsu is a “force of nature rising against certainty, position, and security—finding rest in the Unknowable instead. We take refuge in that buddha sitting not somewhere apart but in the house of this world.”
ONLINE: Tuesday - Friday evenings, 6:45 entry-8:00 pm;
Wednesday - Friday mornings, 8:15 entry - 12:30 pm
IN PERSON at THE BARN: Wed. - Fri.: 2:30 entry - 5:00 pm.
Saturday morning: 8:45 - 10:45
Rohatsu SESSHIN fee: $425. *REGISTRATION and NON-refundable deposit of $200 NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY , NOVEMBER 22.
*FULL TUITION DUE no LATER than WED. Nov.29.
For Information and Registration: shericoldwell@att.net
GOLDEN WIND SESSHIN - Autumn 2023
SEPTEMBER 26 - 30, 2023 Tuesday evening - Saturday morning
“Through our practice, we find our PLACE and our PEACE, as vulnerable , noble, embodied beings, exposed in the Golden Wind.” -Kogen roshi
The Morningstar Sangha will enter the quintessential KOAN of the “GOLDEN WIND” by offering our contemplations to the great “CHANGE OF HEART” brought ALIVE through sesshin.
ONLINE: Tuesday evening, 6:45 - 8:00 pm. Wed. - Friday, 8:30 am - 12:30pm (8:15 entry). IN-PERSON at THE BARN: 3:00 - 5:00 pm.
ONLINE: Wed. and Thurs. evenings: 6:45pm - 7:15 (6:45 entry). IN-PERSON at THE BARN, Saturday, 8:30 am - 10:45 (8:15 entry).
Golden Wind Retreat Fee: $415. Registration and non-refundable deposit of $200 NO LATER than SEPT. 22.
For information and registration: shericoldwell@att.net
Retreats 2023
One Bright Pearl Sesshin
MARCH 7 - 12, 2023 Join the Morningstar Sangha for the annual late winter sesshin! Plan NOW to grant yourself the great gift of deep concentrated retreat to Walk in the Awakening World with dedicated sisters and brothers of The Way! As in the past few sesshins, we will continue our format of morning online practice, and afternoon IN-PERSON practice at *The Barn (online practice for those out of town). Announcement and Registration will come soon!
Retreats 2022
ROHATSU SESSHIN, 2022:
“THE RADIANT TEACHINGS OF DARKNESS”
Tuesday - Saturday, Dec. 6 - 10, 2022
Ending with Community Teisho, Sunday, Dec. 11.
This year’s Rohatsu sesshin will host the following retreat schedule: Online:
Tuesday - Friday, 8:45 am - 12:45 pm (8:30 entry), interweaving practice off line and travel to The Barn
IN-PERSON practice Tu-F afternoon at The Barn: 3:00 - 5:00 (2:45 entry) (Visual online practice will be streamed from The Barn for those unable to be at The Barn)
ONLINE: Saturday morning, 9 am - 11:00 (8:45 entry)
IN-PERSON at THE BARN: Sunday morning, 10:00 am - 10:45 (9:45 entry)
Community practice and End of Autumn Practice Period. Rohatsu Sesshin Fee: $425.
Registration and non-refundable deposit of $225 NO LATER than Nov. 23, remainder by Dec. 1.
For information and registration: shericoldwell@att.net.
Formal Rohatsu ending will take place Saturday morning at 11. We will end the Autumn Practice Period on Sunday morning, December 11.
Announcement:
This year’s Golden Wind Retreat is cancelled. Instead, the Center will host a weekend zazen retreat in late September and November. We will continue with our Rohatsu Retreat, December 5 - 10.
KANZEON RETREAT 2022
“Silent Illumination: Whose qualities are Freedom, Openness, and Clarity”
Wednesday, June 8 - Saturday, June 11
Join the Morningstar Sangha for the annual Kanzeon Retreat. This year’s Retreat will host a different Retreat Schedule:
ONLINE: Wednesday - Friday, 8:15 am -12:45 (8:00 entry) (11:30 - 12:45 outside).
IN PERSON AT THE BARN for afternoon Practice: 3:15 - 5:00, (3:00 entry). (Visual online practice will be streamed from The Barn for those unable to be in-person at The Barn. BMZC Safety protocol will remain in place for all who attend in-person. )
Saturday, June 11 IN-PERSON at the Barn (or online): 9-10:45 am (8:45 entry) Morningstar Community invited for Saturday morning Teisho Online- Announcement to follow (10 - 10:45 am.)
Kanzeon Retreat Fee: $325. Registration and non-refundable deposit of $200 NO LATER than May 27, remainder by June 3. For information and registration: shericoldwell@att.net.
Boulder Morningstar Zen Center: A Revelation of Endless Vow.
Shambhala SESSHIN Online - March 2022
Monday, March 7 - Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Announcement for registration will arrive 4-5 weeks before the event.)
ROHATSU ONLINE URBAN RETREAT
Dec. 6 - 11, 2021. Detailed announcement will come in late October.
GOLDEN WIND SESSHIN - 2021
Online September 27 - October 2, 2021
Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm, with optional practice on Thursday and Friday evenings, 6:30 - 7:45 pm.
CLOSING: Saturday October 2, 8:30 -9:45 am.
Join the Morningstar Sangha for our annual GOLDEN WIND SESSHIN online. We will travel to the Cave of the Blue Dragon, retrieve the ONE BRIGHT PEARL, and come back to our world with gift-bestowing hands. There will be blocks of our schedule in “informal” practice, walking, sitting, and contemplating the Faith-Mind Sutra. This sesshin is for FULL-TIME participants. FEE: $395. Information and Registration with Etsudo Sheri Coldwell: shericoldwell@att.net. Non-refundable deposit of $225 no later than Sept. 19, with r remainder by Sep. 26. Payment plans and partial scholarships are available.
KANZEON 2021
URBAN ONLINE RETREAT
SILENT ILLUMINATION
8:30am - 5pm, June 7 - 11, 2021 Ending with Saturday morning Teisho, June 12, 9am
Join the Boulder Morningstar Zen Center, ONLINE, for our annual Kanzeon Urban Retreat. This year’s retreat will offer the teachings of SILENT ILLUMINATION each morning, and will entail outdoor meditation practice along with zazen. Together, we will hold the dynamic of deep and abiding retreat while plunging into these time-honored Ch’an teachings. Available to all practitioners.
FOR INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION contact Etsudo Sheri Coldwell (shericoldwell@att.net). FEE: $395. Deposit of $150 required by May 28. Limited scholarships and payment plans are available.
SHAMBHALA SESSHIN Online - March 8 - 13, 2021
M-F: 8:45 am - 5:00* Ending with Saturday morning Teisho and Circle, 9 - 11 am. *Evening zazen optional: Wed - Fri: 6:15 - 7:45 pm
Join the Morningstar Sangha, ONLINE, for our annual Shambhala Sesshin. We will raise the Bodhi Heart/Mind in intensive Zen practice: the enactment of the Intimacy with All That Is. COME TAKE THE PLUNGE! FULL SESSHIN FEE: $395. Registation and non-refundable deposit $225, NO LATER than FEB. 26 and remaining fee by March 5. Additional Community Practice (M - F, 3:30 - 5 pm) Registration Required. For Information or Registration, shericoldwell@att.net Boulder Morningstar Zen Center: A Revelation of Endless Vow.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF EXTENDED RETREATS 2020-21
With Boulder Morningstar Zen Center and Roshi Sanchi Reta Lawler
*Please note that as has been true for the last three years, all of the extended retreats are the SAME week each year in the listed months, with the exception of the actual numerical date. If this changes due to unseen circumstance, an announcement will follow. ALSO, due to the coronavirus pandemic, we will not know if these retreats/sesshins in 2021 will be in-person or online retreats. The formal announcements always come within 4-5 weeks from the beginning of the retreat or sesshin.
Rohatsu Urban ONLINE Retreat: Dec. 7 - 12, 2020.
Shambhala Sesshin (most likely online): Mar. 7 - 13, 2021
Kanzeon Urban Zen Retreat (Willow Farms or online): June 7 - 12, 2021
Golden Wind Shambhala Sesshin: Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2021 (Shambhala Mnt. Center or online)
Rohatsu Urban Zen Retreat: Dec. 6 - 11, 2021 (Willow Farms or online)
Other full-day or weekend zazen and study retreats will be announced in the seasonal schedule. Please consider an extended retreat as an opening, gritty, nurturing, and sustaining process unto your Practice. We welcome you whole-heartedly.
Golden Wind Sesshin (online)
September 28 - October 3, 2020
Monday through Friday
8:30 am - 8 pm.
Closing: October 3, 8:30 - 10 am
Join the Morningstar Sangha for our annual Golden Wind Sesshin (online). We will travel into the Cave of the Blue Dragon, retrieve the One Bright Pearl, and come back to our world with gift-bestowing hands.
This sesshin is for FULL-TIME participants. FEE: $595. Information and Registration with Etsudo Sheri Coldwell: shericoldwell@att.net. Non-refundable deposit of $250 no later than Sept. 21.
To advance from where you can no longer advance and to do what can no longer be done, you must make yourself into a raft or ferryboat for others. -Zen Master Ma
KANZEON URBAN ONLINE RETREAT - J
UNE 8-12, 2020
NAMU KANZEON BOSATSU
Boulder Morningstar Zen Center
8:45am-5pm
Ending with Saturday morning Teisho, June 13, 9am.
Join the Boulder Morningstar Zen Center, ONLINE, for our annual Kanzeon Urban Retreat in FULL ON retreat format. Together, we will hold the dynamic of deep and abiding retreat through maintaining our Complete Retreat Schedule.
Partial Attendance is welcome from 3:30 - 5 pm.
For more information and registration, contact Etsudo Sheri Coldwell: shericoldwell@att.net, no later than MAY 28.
FEE: Dana
Past Retreats
Sesshin and Retreat Schedule
SHAMBHALA SESSHIN March 8 - 13, 2020
“OVERWELMING OVERWELMS OVERWELMING” -Zen Master Dogen
Note: Due to the need for our venue commitments, we ask for registration and NON-REFUNDABLE deposit of $375, NO LATER THAN February 1, 2020. The remaining fee will be DUE to our registrar no later than February 20, 2020. PLEASE HELP US to MAINTAIN THESE DATES.
Sesshin is the heartbeat of intensive Zen Practice: the enactment of Awakened Heart Mind which is the Intimacy with ALL THAT IS.
All inclusive fee: $1,360 (double) and $1,450 (single).
CONTACT registrar Etsudo Sheri Coldwell (shericoldwell@att.net) for scholarship assistance, information and registration.
Past Retreats
Rohatsu Urban Zen Retreat December 2 - 7, 2019
ROHATSU : The Great Gathering up! December 2 - 7, 2019\
Join the Morningstar Sangha for the culminating practice intensive for the Year. We will manifest the great Determination to join the Buddha in “not rising until achieving True Awakening!”
Willow Farm Contemplative Center (non-residential)
11898 N 75th Street Hygiene, CO. 80533
Monday - Friday, 8:45 am - 5 pm
arriving each day at 8:30 to settle in and be seated.) Saturday morning 9 - 10:30 am
(arriving at 8:45 to be seated)
Fee: $395.
For Info or Registration, shericoldwell@att.net No later than Nov. 23, 2019.
ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED AT ALL SCHEDULED TIMES FOR FULL RETREAT.
Community practice is 3:30 to 5 each day at Willow Farm and Community Teisho for Saturday the 7th.
Deposit of $75 is required at time of registration NO LATER than November 23. FULL payment is asked by NOV. 28. Send to:
Etsudo Sheri Coldwell
PO BOX 1981, Longmont, Co. 80502.
There are limited scholarship and payment plan options.
Space is limited, register soon!
Our host Susan Nemcek will once again be offering lunch of soup, salad, and bread: $40 for the 5 days in residence. (organic, vegan, GF, DF.) If you would like this option, please let Etsudo know NO LATER than Nov. 28th, and hand or send payment to her. (After this option is made, there can be no refund. ) Otherwise, we are in residence at the Center for the entire day and will not leave the property for lunch. You are invited to bring your lunch, but will have no availability to the kitchen for stove or refrigerator.
As we enter late 2019 and into 2020, we will be offering more half, full-day, and weekend zazen and study retreats— to be announced. Please consider an extended retreat as an opening, nurturing, and sustaining process unto your Practice. We welcome you whole-heartedly.
Shambhala Sesshin
March 8 - 13, 2020, Shambhala Mnt. Center (residential), Red Feather Lakes, Colorado
Kanzeon Urban Zen Retreat
June 8 - 13, 2020, Willow Farms, Hygiene, Colorado (non-residential)
Golden Wind Sesshin
Sept. 27 - Oct 2, 2020
Shambala Mountain Center, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. Residential.
Rohatsu Urban Retreat
Dec. 7 - 12, 2020, Willow Farms, Hygiene, Colorado. Non-residential.
COMING FULL CIRCLE: The Art of Death and Dying with Roshi Sanchi Reta Lawler
Phase I: Sept. 19 - 22, 2019
Phase II: Oct. 17 - 20, 2019
Boulder, Colorado. (non-residential) (request announcement)
KANZEON URBAN RETREAT, JUNE 10 - 15, 2019
SEEING ALL THE WAY THROUGH
Willow Farm Retreat Center, Hygiene, Colorado
WALKING TOGETHER in the annual Kanzeon Urban Retreat hosted by the Boulder Morningstar Zen Center! We will be meeting at the beautiful WILLOW FARM RETREAT CENTER,
Monday - Friday, 8:45 am - 5:00 pm, ending Saturday, 9 - 11.
FULL-TIME Retreat: $325.
Secure your participation by contacting Etsudo Sheri Coldwell (shericoldwell@att.net), and she will direct your registration. Registration is limited. Early-bird registration until May 15: $310.
EVERYONE IS INVITED TO THE END-of PRACTICE INTENSIVE
(extension of Full Time Retreat at Willow Farm,) 3:30 - 5 pm each afternoon, ending with Teisho on Saturday morning, 9 - 11am.
Winter Sesshin march 10 - 15, 2019
Sunrise Ranch, Loveland, Colorado
Join Roshi Sanchi Reta Lawler and the Morningstar Sangha for our annual late winter sesshin. SESSHIN is the heartbeat of intensive Zen Practice: the enactment of Awakened Heart Mind which is amplifying the Light of Awareness, deepening intimacy with All that Is. As well, this retreat will hold the Tokudo (Priest Ordination) of two of our Jukai practitioners.
NO WAY OUT BUT THROUGH
”Empty and desireless...simple and genuine, this is the way to strike down and fold up the habits of many lifetimes. When the stains from old habits are exhausted, the original light appears, blazing through your skull, not admitting any other matters." ~Zen master Hongzhi
All inclusive fee: $1275 (based on double occupancy)
$1410 for single occupancy.
Due to the need for our venue commitments, we ask for registration and non-refundable fee of $350 NO LATER THAN JANUARY 24, 2019. The remaining fees are due to our registrar no later than February 24, 2019. PLEASE HELP US BY MAINTAINING AWARENESS OF THESE DATES.
Contact our registrar Etsudo Sheri Coldwell (shericoldwell@att.net) for scholarship assistance, information, and registration.
Contact info@bouldermorningstarzencenter.com for more information
ROHATSU RETREAT - DECEMBER 3 - 8,2018
WILLOW FARM, Hygiene, CO
Contact: info@bouldermorningstarzencenter.com for more information.
MOON-HEART, a Zen Student, was serving tea to her special guest, ABBESS EKO of a nearby temple. MUSHIN, a Dharma sister of the Abbess, happened to stop by and was invited to join them. Mushin was a Wild Woman, and carried a bone instead of the usual ceremonial stick.
Moon-Heart handed the tea to Abbess Eko in an ancient tea bowl that the Abbess herself had given to her as a gift. In the midst of appreciating the exquisite bowl, Mushin suddenly shattered the tea bowl with her bone. “Now”, said the Wild Woman, “Look at the Authentic Tea Bowl that exists before birth.”
Moon-Heart blanched, gasped, and nearly fainted. Abbess Eko said calmly, “I gave you this tea bowl, but now, I would like you to give it back to me. Before you do, gather the pieces, glue them, and fill the cracks with gold. Then have a box made for it. On the cover of the box, write the name of the bowl, which I now give you as ‘THE AUTHENTIC TEA BOWL BEFORE BIRTH.’ I will reverently pass this bowl on to my Dharma descendants.”
Now, I ask you: What is the Authentic Tea Bowl Before Birth?
The traditional December Rohatsu Retreat is offered in Zen monasteries and centers around the world as the Great GATHERING UP unto our Awakened HeartMind! This year, we will not be offering the part time daily retreat participation, but EVERYONE is invited to join the Rohatsu Retreat each afternoon, MONDAY - FRIDAY for the 3:30 - 5 pm afternoon practice. Please arrive to WILLOW FARM ZENDO in Hygiene (11898 N. 75th St., Longmont) no later than 3:15 to be seated. You will see where to park and arrive to the zendo. No need to rsvp for the Sangha practice but consider making the afternoon practice offerings your Rohatsu Intensive.
We will end the Rohatsu on Saturday morning, December 8, with full Sangha invitation, for practice and Teisho, 9 - 10:30 am (arriving no later than 8:45 to be seated) at the WILLOW FARM zendo. We hope to see you for this most auspicious practice retreat.
"I come to realize clearly that mind is no other than mountains and rivers and the great wide earth, the sun and the moon and the stars"
-Zen master Dogen Kigen
Golden Wind Sesshin:
October 16 - 21, 2018
ROCKY MOUNTAIN
ECO DHARMA CENTER
Ward, Colorado
Join the Boulder Morningstar Zen Center and Roshi Sanchi Reta Lawler, for our annual GOLDEN WIND SESSHIN
Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2 pm through Sunday, Oct. 21, 11 am.
Accommodations and Meals: $325.
Dana for Roshi is requested for your consideration at the end of sesshin.
Non-refundable deposit $150 for registration is due by SEPT. 20, 2018. Total Fee received NO LATER than OCT. 5, 2018. Contact Etsudo Sheri Coldwell at shericoldwell@att.net for scholarship assistance, information, and how to proceed. Attendance is limited, TAKE A LEAP soon!
"THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING AND I MUST GO" -JOHN MUI
Winter 2018 - Spring 2018
with Roshi Sanchi Reta Lawler and the Morningstar Zen Sangha
WINTER SESSHIN: March 4 - 9, 2018
ShambhalA Mountain Center, Red Feather Lakes
Join Roshi Sanchi Reta Lawler and the Morningstar Sangha for our annual late winter Shambhala sesshin.
We will bring our sesshin heart to bear on amplifying the Light of Awareness, deepening intimacy with essence of mind.
FUDOSHIN: UNWAVERING EQUANIMITY or
ALIGNMENT WITH TRUE NORTH!
“Empty and desireless…simple and genuine, this is the way to strike down and fold up the habits of many lifetimes. When the stains from old habits are exhausted, the original light appears, blazing through your skull, not admitting any other matters.” Zen master Hongzhi
Contact: info@bouldermorningstarzencenter.com for more information.
An announcement and details for each event will be sent 2 months in advance. Since registration is limited in numbers, if you know that you want to register for particular events, please contact Etsudo Sheri Coldwell shericoldwell@att.net