IT’S JUST A STORY:
What is all this and how do we know?
This three-week retreat offers an opportunity for experienced meditators to join the Green Gulch staff in a period of intensive residential practice. Our schedule will include zazen in the early morning, mid-morning, afternoon, and evening; formal oryoki meals; work periods; Dharma talks; and classes. Formal and informal meetings with teachers will also be offered. Participants commit to not leave the Green Gulch watershed for the duration (except by arrangement or emergencies). The Intensive will conclude with a five-day sesshin.
The theme for study and practice in this intensive is the Mind Only School of Buddhist thought. The Mind Only School is an important element of Zen practice and Zen history, and has also been acclaimed by modern scholars for its alignment with cognitive science, developmental psychology and even astrophysics.
Online participation will be available for the lectures and classes during this Intensive. Details about the online option will be shared soon.
To Apply:
Please review the Sample Schedule/Shingi before submitting your application.
Students who are accepted into the intensive 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 intensive. If you have questions about the intensive 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 an intensive application by the application deadline of November 7, 2025.
Please contact ggfabbotassist@sfzc.org if you have any questions, or if you require early acceptance notification for travel.
Non-refundable application fee: $30. This fee is paid while filling out the online application.
Intensive fees*
- $1,628 – Shared Guest House Room (two twins or a king); GGF provides bedding and towels.
- $2100 – Single Guest House Room; GGF provides bedding and towels.
The availability of shared and single student housing will be determined closer to the start date and offered for $1365 (shared) and $1890 (single).
The intensive fee is paid after application acceptance. The notice of acceptance to the intensive 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 intensive.
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.
*The fees for the Green Gulch Farm January Intensive do not fully cover the cost of maintaining Green Gulch Farm during the month of January. Please consider making a donation to San Francisco Zen Center to support the Intensive and the precious training and teachings offered at Green Gulch Farm, Green Dragon Temple, now and in the future. Thank you.
Deadline for applications: November 7, 2025.