FAQ
Feel free to explore our website and gather information about the different ways to stay at CMZC. You can register for Zen programs through the registration form that you reach from the program pages.
If you want to come for a personal practice time or individual retreat, please contact the office or complete this form to inquire about availability.
Yes, there are. Outside of Zen Practice events, you may stay at CMZC as a student, guest-student or guest. Please see our Individual Retreat page for more information on these three options.
Our rates for Zen programs are listed with each event. For individual retreats daily rates apply.
During our Guest Season (June-September) groups can rent our facilities for retreats, seminars, workshops and conferences. A $1,500 reservation and facilities-rental fee reserves the dates for your group and covers the rental of all facilities at Crestone Mountain Zen Center. Our per-day cost for participants varies based on the duration of the group’s stay and the number of students. Please contact the office for more information.
Please bring comfortable clothes or a sitting-robe for Zazen. You will also need a pair of slippers for the Zendo, a pair for the Main House, and a pair for the Dormitory, plus a pair for outside (4 pairs of shoes/sandals altogether). It can be very dark at night, so it is wise to have a flashlight or headlamp. Finally, we are on the side of a mountain with fine hiking trails and thus hiking or walking shoes are useful. Please also bring work clothes. Work includes cooking, cleaning, maintenance tasks and yard work.
Crestone is a high desert climate. It’s cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Skies are mostly clear. We are at 8400 feet and the sun is intense. Please bring a sun hat and sunscreen.
In the winter it can be very cold early in the morning (at zazen time) and at night (-10ºF, -25ºC). It is usually not so cold during the day. There is some snow in the winter and occasionally it can be quite deep. Please bring winter clothes and boots.
Except for the winter Practice Period (January 11 – April 16), guests and visitors are welcome to participate in the CMZC meditation schedule, which is generally two periods of Zazen in the morning, and one or two in the evening. People visiting or living in the Crestone area are also welcome to participate in Zazen, and can contact the office to discuss doing so.
Please see our information page on our daily practice page for the current schedule and potential cancellations.
The daily schedule varies slightly with the seasons. The current schedule can be downloaded here. Please feel free to contact the office with specific questions about schedules during certain times or events.
Crestone is a remote mountain town. The nearest regional airport is Alamosa, which is 1 hour south of Crestone. The nearest major city is Denver (4 hours to the north). For detailed information regarding driving directions, airports and ground transportation, please click here.
Some of the residents at CMZC are ordained monks and nuns, while others are laypeople. Everyone does the same practices and is equally expected to follow the schedule.
The diet at CMZC is strictly vegetarian and includes dairy and eggs. If you are on a non-dairy or non-gluten diet or have other dietary restrictions, please let us know ahead of time and we will do our best to accommodate you. Please discuss severe allergies and dietary conditions directly with our office. Alcohol is not allowed on campus.
Unfortunatley, we are unable to accommodate pets at CMZC.
Oryoki is the traditional Zen monastic way of eating. The oryoki set consists of three stacked bowls, eating utensils, and napkins that are wrapped in a cloth. Oryoki meals are taken in silence and are a form of mindfulness practice. If you haven’t eaten oryoki before, we will provide an introduction.
During Sesshin, Practice Period, and the Study Month we ask that returning practitioners bring their own oryoki sets. If you don’t have one, you can purchase a set from CMZC for $140. The bowls are from Japan and the wrapping cloths, napkins, and some of the utensils are hand-made by our practitioners.
Every year CMZC sends out a small number of Sangha updates and announcements regarding upcoming events. If you want to stay up to date with Zen programs and what is going on at CMZC, please join our mailing list.
