What keeps us feeling separate from each other?
What keeps us thinking that we know the right way?
What keeps us from seeing our unity?– Bernie Glassman, Bearing Witness: A Zen Master’s Lessons in Making Peace
In just three weeks, Peacemakers from all walks of life will gather in Oświęcim, Poland for our Bearing Witness Retreat at Auschwitz-Birkenau, Nov 15-21. We go for the same reasons now as we did at the first retreat 30 years ago: to bear witness to humanity.
If you are considering joining us, we heartily encourage you. If you have been before, we invite you to come again. There is still time to register and make travel arrangements.
Every bearing witness retreat is different, every experience unique. We create it together, letting go of fixed ideas and opening our hearts to the reality of life. We then carry this forward in ways we cannot predict: into our homes and relationships, into our communities, and into the world wherever compassion, connectedness and loving action is needed.
In Footsteps of Everyone, three recent attendees, Geoff, Wiebs, and Mary, share their experiences with bearing witness:
Footsteps of Everyone
People think Auschwitz is about death.
A week later, they speak about life.
A prayer shawl. Winter boots. A warm wind on the cheek.
Small, stubborn signs of humanity.
written and edited by Ewa Orczykowska and Mary O’Connor, based on personal interviews.
> Read the Full Article in the Peacemakers Journal
Auschwitz is a place of great suffering. And great healing.
We invite you to join us. All are welcome.
Geoff Shoun O’Keeffe
Executive Director
Zen Peacemakers
Bearing Witness Retreat in Auschwitz-Birkenau
November 15-21, 2026
Oświęcim, Poland
We realize travel at this time can be costly and challenging. Scholarships are available, and those in the Zen Peacemaker Order are eligible for reduced tuition to attend. We can also provide guidance for inviting support from your community by raising a mala. Please contact us with any questions at retreats@zenpeacemakers.org
