SUMMER ACTIVITIES 2026

ACTIVITIES JUNE-SEPTEMBER

JUNE

Friday 5 - Sunday 7
INTRODUCTION TO ZEN
(Code: IZ4)

Friday 19 - Sunday 21
ZEN MEDITATION RETREAT (SESSHIN)
(Code: SZ4)

JULY

Friday 3 - Sunday 5
INTRODUCTION TO ZEN
with Shingan (Francis) (Code: VIZ1)

During the introductory course, basic instructions will be given about sitting meditation (ZAZEN according to SOTO ZEN SCHOOL), walking meditation, mindfulness in daily life, conscious stretching, periods of Noble Silence and active meditation (Samu).

Friday 17 - Sunday 19
ZEN MEDITATION RETREAT
with Shingan (Francis)(Code VSZ1)

A sesshin is an intensive period of meditation, led in complete silence, open to all, experienced practitioners or beginners, though it might be advisable to have previous experience or have followed some introduction course.

"We give up all the things we usually have in our daily life, we cut ourselves off our habitual current. We need to fast from thinking and the sesshin offers us that space of silence to help us free ourselves from our habits." HÔGEN

SHINGAN FRANCIS CHAUVET IS DIRECTOR OF JIKÔ AN UNDER THE SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE OF ZEN MASTER HÔGEN YAMAHATA WITH WHOM HE HAS BEEN PRACTICING SINCE 1985. ALSO STUDIED DURING 6 YEARS WITH VIETNAMESE ZEN MASTER THICH NHAT HANH AND WAS INSPIRED BY HIS MEETINGS WITH TIBETAN BUDDHISM, ADVAITA VEDANTA AND ANCESTRAL INDIGENOUS WISDOM.

Monday 24 - Sunday 2 August
ZEN MEDITATION RETREAT (SESSHIN)
(Code: VSZ2)

AUGUST

Monday 3 - Wednesday 12
ZEN MEDITATION RETREAT (SESSHIN)
(Code: VSZ3)

Friday 28 - Sunday 30
INTRODUCTION TO ZEN
(Code: VIZ2)

SEPTEMBER

Friday 11 - Sunday 13
ZEN MEDITATION RETREAT (SESSHIN)
(Code: VSZ4)

Friday 25 - Sunday 27
INTRODUCTION TO ZEN
(Code: VIZ3)

All the courses will begin in the evening of the first day mentioned (dinner at 9.30 pm) and end after lunch on the last day.

We offer you simple accomodation and vegetarian food.
Please bring your sleeping bag, a flashlight, work clothes and comfortable clothing for the practice.

Jikô An is a non-profit making centre. It means that the prices we suggest only cover food and lodging, maintenance, organisation and the teachers’ travel expenses (according to each one’s economical situation):
35€/day, student or unemployed, 40€/day, low income , 45 €/day, high income

Free donation for the activities. We have a donation box at your disposition to help the teachers to keep sharing their practices.