Tassajara Summer Practice

Summer at Tassajara offers the opportunity to live in an intentional spiritual community nestled in a mountain valley in the Ventana Wilderness. During the summer, students care for each other, the guests, and the beautiful gardens and grounds. The days begin and end with seated meditation and Zen chanting and bowing, creating a gentle introduction to Zen training and fostering a culture of connection. For an intimate look at daily life at Tassajara please visit our IG page tassajaratales.

 

The season begins on April 8 and ends on September 22. Students can stay for the whole summer as well as shorter periods of time. There is no fee to apply or participate.

Please fill out this Summer Practice Application to join us for an unforgettable summer experience!

Students benefit from a Tassajara summer season in a variety of ways:

  • All vegetarian meals and housing are included.
  • Each week includes Dharma talks by Zen teachers. Students may have the opportunity to join retreat sessions, if they are offered (e.g., yoga retreats). Previous events have included Naomi Shihab-Nye, Liping Zhu, Pico Iyer, and Brother David Steindl-Rast.
  • Student-only classes are also offered throughout the summer by Zen teachers and Buddhist scholars. Visiting teachers have included Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Jan Willis, Gil Fronsdal, and Kokyo Henkel.
  • Students who stay for either three or five continuous months earn credits to participate in future practice periods (intensive Zen retreats) at City Center, Green Gulch, Tassajara.
  • Students have the opportunity to meet privately with teachers to discuss their meditation and work practice.
  • Optional half-day sittings are scheduled monthly and are open to students on their days off.
  • Body work for students is offered throughout the summer at no cost. This may include massage, shiatsu, acupuncture, and many other modalities.

Students are also welcome to enjoy the amenities provided at Tassajara and the vast nature of the Ventana wilderness:

  • During personal days and breaks, all are welcome to enjoy the spring-fed swimming pool, the Japanese-style hot springs, the many cooling swimming holes along Tassajara Creek, the extensive Buddhist library, and our award-winning yoga space at the Retreat Hall (at times when a retreat is not in progress).
  • Hiking trails stretch in each direction. These trails lead to sandstone formed Wind Caves, offer stunning views from Flag Rock, and loop around the Horse Pasture Trail.
     

Apply to be a Summer 2025 Student 

Students new to San Francisco Zen Center are required to submit at least one letter of recommendation from a Zen teacher or from someone who knows the student and Tassajara work practice well. SFZC welcomes international visitors in the US on B visas to participate in our offerings, workshops, and retreats. We also welcome international students to participate in our Apprenticeship Program through an M-1 visa. For more details about visas, click here.

  • Applications open: November 2024
     
  • Priority deadline: February 15, 2025
    (Applications submitted by this date are given priority in review and acceptance decisions)
     
  • Late deadline: March 15, 2025
    (Applications submitted after the priority deadline but before this date are reviewed as space allows.)
     
  • We will continue to accept rolling applications throughout the summer, depending on housing capacity and need.
     
  • The summer season runs from April 8th through September 22, 2025. Note that if you want to earn two practice period credits, you would need to arrive to Tassajara by April 22, 2025 at the latest (to spend 5 months of the summer with us). If you want to earn one practice period credit, you would need to arrive by June 22, 2025 at the latest (to spend 3 months of the summer with us).
     
  • Please contact zmcdirector@sfzc.org for any questions about Tassajara.
     
  • Please fill out the Tassajara Summer Student Application

 

Please find the Summer 2025 Student Schedule here.