2026 Spring Sesshin:
provisionally set 4/22 -4/26/25

Sacred Waters

To Register:

You may commute to Sacred Waters from home each day or purchase a ticket that includes overnight accommodation at Sacred Waters.

To assist Sacred Waters, we are handling the room reservations and payment. Please do not contact Sacred Waters about room reservations.

While we encourage and enthusiastically welcome new applicants, when space is limited, it will go to those who sit regularly with the Sangha or are established students of Maria and/or John. We expect to have plenty of room for commuters.

Registration Steps:

• Complete this google form https://forms.gle/AXmsRFcQH77pVQXX8

• Choose one of three ticket types. Follow link to pay:
  • $300 Retreat Only (Commuter)
  • $380 Retreat and a Bed
  • $340 Retreat and Sleep on Floor

Other Details

Other Details

Meals are vegetarian with a vegan option. Report any dietary restrictions on the registration form.

Sacred Waters address: 16990 Douglas Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545. The phone number is 574-277-0034.

Contact John Petersen at SophiaZenCenter@gmail.com or 574-309-8370 with questions or to inquire about need-based scholarships

Encounter With The Heart

Encounter With The Heart

Sesshin means "encounter with the heart." It is an intensive silent retreat centered on Zen meditation and guidance from a teacher. With consecutive days of focused and supported group practice, we can deepen our experience and open up to the core of our being. Space is limited, and priority is given to regular Sophia Zen Center practitioners and students of our guiding teacher Maria Reis Habito.

Daily Retreat Schedule

Schedule:

A typical day starts at 6:30 AM and ends at 9:15 PM with the following schedule:

• 90 minutes of Zazen before breakfast
• Breakfast
• Zen chores
• 60-minute break
• Zen Talk (30 minutes)
• 90 Minutes of Zazen
• Lunch
• Rest for 2.5 hours
• Tea Ceremony (30 minutes)
• Zazen for 60 minutes
• 30-minute walk or rest
• Zazen for 30 minutes
• Dinner
• Break for 90 minutes
• Zazen for 90 minutes
• Chant Sutras
• Day ends at 9:15PM