We are committed to ensuring the environment here is as safe as practical for our guests and residents. With that in mind, we continue to employ the Covid protocols you find below.
Prior to Arrival: We ask everyone who is coming to Crestone Mountain Zen Center, regardless of vaccination status to limit exposure to large groups in enclosed spaces as much as possible for 5 days prior to arrival.
Upon Arrival: If you have avoided or limited exposure for 5 days prior to arrival, you may join all activities freely. If you have NOT been able to limit exposure, we ask you to test upon arrival, 48-hours after arrival, and 96-hours after arrival.
In the event you test positive for Covid during your stay, you may be asked to stay off-campus, at your own expense, and we will refund a prorated amount for your reservation.
Please bring comfortable clothes or a sitting-robe for Zazen. You should bring three pairs of slip-on shoes for the Zendo, the Main House, and your room. 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 8,400 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.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate pets at CMZC. Registered service animals are allowed.
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 and drugs are not allowed on campus.
Some of the residents at CMZC are monastics, while others are laypeople. Everyone does the same practices and is equally expected to follow the schedule.
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 Practice Weeks we ask that returning practitioners bring their own oryoki sets. If you don’t have one, you can purchase a set. The bowls are from Japan and the wrapping cloths, napkins, and some of the utensils are hand-made by our practitioners.
