Summer 2024 Student

What brought you to Tassajara?
“My connection to Tassajara began in 2012 when I first visited as a guest for long weekends. Introduced to this serene monastery in the mountains by a friend, I quickly fell in love with its peaceful landscape and the true escape it offered from the chaos of modern life. Ever since, I had wanted to return for a more immersive experience—something beyond just a few days. As a travel nurse, I had the rare opportunity to stay for 30 days between work contracts and eagerly jumped at the chance.
One of my biggest motivations for this extended stay was recognizing how unsatisfying my life had become, partly due to the overuse of technology as a coping mechanism for stress. As a nurse, I often found myself spending long hours glued to my phone, endlessly searching for the next distraction. I knew I needed time away, yet truly disconnecting from technology in today's world felt nearly impossible. Tassajara, with its remote location, lack of wireless service, and absence of digital distractions, was exactly the place I needed to be. I’ve never found another place quite like it in that regard.
Beyond the need for disconnection, I have long been drawn to meditation and self-understanding as tools to navigate the intense stress of nursing while maintaining compassion for my patients. Before coming to Tassajara, I didn’t have a formal meditation practice, but I was well-versed in mindfulness and present-moment awareness. Deepening that practice in such a unique and beautiful place felt like a natural step—and I felt incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity.”
What practice did you find most supportive at Tassajara? How does practice show up in your daily life (as a Zen student and as a nurse)?
“At Tassajara, daily meditation—both in the morning and evening—was a grounding practice, but mindfulness extended far beyond those formal sitting sessions. Everything, from the work practice to simple daily activities, became an opportunity to return to the present moment. Whether it was the prayers before beginning work or the reminders in the kitchen to remain mindful (so as not to injure oneself), nearly every moment reinforced the importance of awareness.
As a nurse, this skill is invaluable. Every shift demands acute attention: What is happening right now? What requires my immediate focus? Tassajara’s environment provided a powerful reminder of how to cultivate this kind of awareness without becoming overwhelmed. More than that, it offered a blueprint for how to integrate mindfulness into my daily life in a way that felt sustainable. Additionally, being surrounded by a community of people with the same intentions was both comforting and inspiring.”
What do you love about Tassajara? Do you have a favorite memory?
“There’s so much I love about Tassajara. As a travel nurse, I’ve had the privilege of exploring many incredible places, but Tassajara is among the most beautiful. Nestled in the mountains near the untouched California coastline of Big Sur, it offers breathtaking hikes, hidden waterfalls, and a sense of stillness that feels surreal.
But it’s not just the natural beauty—it’s the feeling of being completely removed from the noise and distractions of the modern world. Though it's only a 90-minute drive from the nearest town, Tassajara feels like an entirely different universe. It’s a rare kind of true escape.”