Dear Tassajara Guests,
This is a good year to enjoy the restorative atmosphere of Tassajara. The silent presence and the flower fragrance of the mountains show the regenerative power of nature. Tassajara now enters the second spring and summer following the fire of 2008. Thirty years earlier, Mitsu Suzuki-sensei, widow of Suzuki-roshi, composed this spring haiku, after the fires of 1977:
Incense touched by fire
rhythm of breath
spring rain*
The rains of spring support the new growth, the vibrant “new skin” of the mountains. Another spectacular season of spring wildflowers will grace the opening of guest season in May this year, extending into the peaceful life rhythms of summer.
Knowing that you are welcome to visit simply as a guest, you may also want to consider the nourishing opportunities of retreats and workshops. I invite you to take a few minutes now to peruse the calendar of Tassajara summer offerings and consider your own needs for rest and renewal of body, mind, and spirit.
For a few days at least, step away from the busy demands and pressures of urban life. Find the rhythm of your own breath supported by the temple bell and rhythm of this Zen monastery. Feel the summer breeze, enjoy delicious food, immerse yourself in the water of the hot springs and the refreshing cool of Tassajara Creek. And taste the wisdom of a life based on appreciation for the inter-connectedness of all beings. Many wonderful meaningful conversations seem to happen in this atmosphere.
May you find a deep calmness that supports the beneficial activity of life.
Co-Abbot Myogen Steve Stücky
San Francisco Zen Center
*translation by Kaz Tanahashi and Gregory Wood in “Temple Dusk: Zen Haiku” by Mitsu Suzuki, Parallax Press, 1992.
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Each year from May to September, Tassajara opens its gates for our summer guest season. We invite you to come and enjoy Tassajara’s unique beauty, natural hot springs, and renowned vegetarian cuisine.
Nestled deep in a mountain valley, Tassajara is located inland from the Big Sur coast in a remote part of the Ventana Wilderness. For centuries, the native Esselen people have visited here as a place of healing and renewal, and a hot springs resort was built in the 1800s. In 1967, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi and the San Francisco Zen Center established a monastic community at Tassajara, making it the oldest Zen training monastery outside Asia.
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Over the years, a rich Zen-inspired culture of living mindfully with the earth and each other has developed at Tassajara. In the winter, Tassajara closes its gates and turns inward, as residents engage in intensive Zen training. During the summer months, our attention turns to welcoming and serving our guests. We warmly invite you to come and refresh yourselves in this very special place.
Tassajara’s hand-crafted Japanese-style bathhouse is clothing-optional, and has separate sides for men and women, with co-ed bathing on the men’s side in the evenings. Each side has a tiled indoor hot plunge, an outdoor plunge, steam room, communal showers, and a private bath. There are decks for sunning and yoga, with steps leading down into the creek.
Zen meditation instruction is offered every afternoon, free of charge, and guests are always welcome to join the residents for meditation and chanting every morning and evening. Please wear modest, comfortable clothing, preferably in neutral colors, in the meditation hall. Guest speakers and residents offer talks and discussions about Buddhism several evenings a week.
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photo: Alison Bank
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Three vegetarian meals are served daily to our overnight guests. Breakfast and dinner are family style. For lunch, you may choose between eating in the dining room or making a “bag lunch” from a buffet featuring gourmet spreads and fresh-baked bread. Coffee and tea are always available. We offer a restricted diet option, consisting of plain rice, tofu, and vegetables for dinner, and an undressed salad for lunch.
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Zen Center is a nonprofit organization. We gratefully accept donations. Please contact the Development Office at 415-865-3790 for more information or if you would like to become a member.
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photo: Shundo David Haye
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