The Practice of True Self, the Practice of No Self
The Three Week Practice Period at Green Gulch Farm is an opportunity for beginning and experienced students to participate in an intense period of residential practice that centers around daily zazen, work practice, study, and one-on-one meetings with the teacher. Weekly events include lectures, formal ceremonies, classes and gatherings with the leading teacher. Participants commit to stay in the Green Gulch valley during the entire three weeks. The three week practice period will conclude with a five-day sesshin.
This three week practice period will take up the study and practice, in body and mind, of the Buddhist teachings on self. What is the self, what is the true self, what is no self? A core source for our study will be Shohaku Okumura’s book, The Structure of the Self in Mahayana Buddhism.
To Apply:
Please review the Practice Period Guidelines/Shingi before submitting your application.
Students who are accepted into the three week practice period generally will have already participated in at least one all-day sit, sesshin, and/or a guest student stay at Green Gulch. If you do not have prior experience with Zen practice, we strongly suggest completing a one-day sit or sesshin at Green Gulch before applying for the three week practice period. If you have questions about the formal practice session and aren't sure if applying is right for you based on your practice experience, please contact the Abbot's assistant at ggfabbotassist@sfzc.org before applying.
Complete and submit a three week practice period application by the application deadline of January 27, 2026.
The Applications Committee will notify applicants as to whether they have been accepted to the three week practice period by January 30, 2026. If you need to be notified about your acceptance earlier than January 30 (for your planning purposes), please email ggfabbotassist@sfzc.org and let us know. For questions or more information, please contact the Abbot’s assistant at ggfabbotassist@sfzc.org.
Non-refundable application fee: $30 (this fee is paid while filling out the application).
Practice period fee:
- $1200 – Shared room
- $1550 – Single room
This fee is paid after application acceptance. The notice of acceptance to the three week practice period will be accompanied by information on paying the fee. $500 of this fee is non-refundable when canceling less than 2 weeks prior to the start of the three week practice period.
San Francisco Zen Center is committed to making Zen practice and the Dharma accessible to all who seek it by offering both a General support fund and a dedicated BIPOC support fund. After your application has been accepted, please email supportfunds@sfzc.org to request financial support.
Deadline for applications: January 27, 2026.