Work Practice

Your participation in our Work Practice programs is an important and deeply appreciated contribution to Crestone Mountain Zen Center. Help from work students allows us to maintain and develop our facilities and sustain the practice here.

In 2012, we will offer three different (and inter-related) Work Practice programs:

A Work Practice stay at CMZC represents a great opportunity to immerse yourself in both the formal and daily-life practice of our center. In addition to morning and evening Zazen, and oryoki breakfasts (when we are not hosting an outside group), students attend weekly Dharma talks and discussions facilitated by the teachers in residence. Work Practice students are encouraged to participate in the spirit of attentiveness and cooperation that the CMZC residents attempt to bring to their daily activity.

There is always plenty to do at CMZC! Work projects vary depending on the time of year, but may include gardening, landscaping, maintenance or office work, in addition to the everyday rounds of cooking, cleaning and laundry. Students will have a chance to engage in and learn about a variety of work activities, highlighted by our organic gardening and professional-level vegetarian cooking. During the Guest Season, with the guidance and supervision of Koyo Dan Welch-roshi and the other experienced cooks in residence, Work Practice can be an opportunity to learn how to cook or to hone your already existing cooking skills.

Summer Work Practice
From May through September, Crestone Mountain Zen Center offers a Summer Work Practice program for students wishing to spend a period of two weeks or longer at our center. Work Practice students fully follow CMZC’s daily meditation and work schedule. In return for committing to spend an agreed-upon period of time helping out during our Work Month and/or Guest Season, you will receive room and board while staying at CMZC. The Summer Work Practice program is a great way to acquaint yourself with our center, or develop your relationship to it.

If you choose to have your Work Practice stay coincide with one or more of our summer guest groups, you will also receive Work Exchange credit that can be used during a future seminar or other practice event at CMZC. Work Exchange positions are on a first-come-first-served basis, so please act quickly if you know you would like to fill one.
Register


Work Month
Every year in the early summer (May/June) we dedicate 4-6 weeks to maintenance and work projects in preparation for the summer Guest Season. During the Work Month we follow a more intensive work-oriented schedule. In addition to the daily work schedule there will be morning and evening Zazen meditation, a formal (oryoki) meal at breakfast, weekly dharma talks, discussions and individual study. We ask that returning practitioners bring their own oryoki set.

May 15 – June 15, 2012
Student fee per day: $35
Register

Students who commit to at least two weeks at CMZC during the Work Month receive room and board in exchange for their work (see Summer Work Practice on this page).


Work Exchange
The Work Exchange program is designed to give interested students the opportunity to participate in our Zen programs and daily practice in exchange for helping us with the cooking and housekeeping during our annual Summer Guest Season from June through September. Work Exchange is offered only during and around our scheduled Guest Season events and special Work Intensives.

One day of work earns $70 of credit at the monastery. Students may apply their credit toward any of our Zen programs or toward individual retreats. Please note that credit for work exchange does not cover teaching donations or teaching fees.

In 2012, Work Exchange is offered during the following times. The list may be expanded as the Guest Season calendar fills up. Please see our Guest Season Calendar for more information about these events.

  • June 19-27: Gestalt Therapy Training with Cathy and Gary Gray
  • August 1-5: Yoga Retreat with Sherry Summers
  • August 7-14: Women’s Annual Retreat with Sofia Diaz
  • September 4-9: Clear Light Sangha Meditation Retreat with Sharon Landrith

Please let us know if you are interested in working and practicing with us during one or more of these times. Work Exchange slots are limited, please sign up early.
Register