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Tassajara Talks
The Tassajara Zen Mountain Center is the oldest Japanese Buddhist Sōtō Zen monastery in the United States. It is on the border of the Ventana Wilderness and within the Los Padres National Forest, southeast of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. The center is only accessible over 5,082-foot-high (1,549 m) Chews Ridge via a narrow, steep, 13.7-mile (22.0 km) one-lane dirt road from Jamesburg. During the winter months the center can be inaccessible due to snow and rain. Practitioners live and study on site. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the center is open to day and overnight guests. The natural hot springs have been developed into Japanese-style baths. A steam bath is built over a hot spring in Tassajara Creek. The center is the first Zen monastery established outside Asia.
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Holding It AllJisho Lisa Beth Hoffman, in this Queer Pride weekend talk, asks “How do we practice so the poignant truth of impermanence deepens our experience of ‘just this’ – the life and... Sangha, Practice Period, Tassajara |
Jun 27 2026 City Center |
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One Hiss and I Lost What I KnowHeather Shōren Iarusso discusses an encounter with a rattlesnake when, in the flash of danger, there is no “Heather,” no narrative, no arising mental formations—only pure perception... Tassajara, Consciousness |
Feb 15 2026 Green Gulch Farm |
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Great Is The Matter12/17/2025, Shundo David Haye, dharma talk at City Center. Shundo reflects on two recent deaths in his family, and what our practice can teach us about facing death and cherishing life. ... Tassajara |
Dec 17 2025 City Center |
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What Is the Role of a Monastery in Today’s World?Serial: SF-12378 09/07/2025, Sozan Michael McCord, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Zoom, Daily Life, Tassajara |
Sep 07 2025 Green Gulch Farm |
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Stories and SilenceSerial: SF-12383 08/09/2025, Shundo David Haye, dharma talk at City Center. Suzuki Roshi, Tassajara |
Aug 09 2025 City Center |
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Memorial Ceremony for Eva Whitney Tassajara, Nirvana |
Aug 08 2025 Green Gulch Farm |
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Cultivating Clarity Through Zen PracticesSerial: SF-12438 Talk by Michael McCord at Tassajara on 2025-07-12 Zazen, Tassajara, Ceremony |
Jul 12 2025 Tassajara |
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A Larger BowlSerial: SF-07259 06/21/2025, Chikudo Catherine Spaeth, dharma talk at Tassajara. Delusion, Tassajara |
Jun 21 2025 Tassajara |
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It is always our own effort, and we are always supported by othersSerial: SF-08395 Shundo David Haye reflects on a recent visit to Tassajara, which included the monthly Full Moon Ceremony and the Obon Ceremony. He encourages us to remember our place in the... Tassajara |
Aug 28 2024 City Center |
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Warm-heartedness Posture, Tassajara, Suffering |
Aug 03 2024 Tassajara |
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Embracing Emptiness: Zen's Infinite DepthsSerial: SF-08972 Talk by Sessei Meg Levie at City Center on 2023-09-02 Emptiness, Tassajara, Sangha |
Sep 02 2023 City Center |
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Emptiness Unveiled Through CompassionSerial: SF-08764 Talk by Sessei Meg Levie at City Center on 2023-09-02 Emptiness, Sangha, Tassajara |
Sep 02 2023 City Center |
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Creating Inner Sanctuary Through AwarenessSerial: SF-08807 Talk by Leslie James at Tassajara on 2023-06-28 Sanctuary, Study, Tassajara |
Jun 28 2023 Tassajara |
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Embracing Uncertainty: The Tassajara RevivalSerial: SF-07810 Talk by Linda Galijan at Tassajara on 2022-04-22 Tassajara |
Apr 22 2022 Tassajara |
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Zen: Embracing Imperfection and PracticeSerial: SF-12175 Talk by Steve Weintraub Right In Imperfection Is Perfect Reality at Tassajara on 2021-07-21 Suzuki Roshi, Tassajara, Enlightenment |
Jul 21 2021 Tassajara |
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What if we stopped pretending?Serial: SF-11104 A reflection on climate collapse and Zen practice. "I wonder what might happen if we tell ourselves the truth, instead of denying reality?" Tassajara |
Jul 07 2021 City Center |
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Embracing Uncertainty Through Non-DoingSerial: SF-11067 Talk by Linda Galijan at City Center on 2021-06-03 Tassajara |
Jun 03 2021 City Center |
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Embracing Suffering Through Zen PresenceSerial: SF-12313 Talk by Leslie James Being There For Our Feelings at Tassajara on 2021-05-17 Emptiness, Tassajara, Zazen |
May 17 2021 Tassajara |
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Perception Unplugged: Unveiling RealitySerial: SF-12323 Talk by Heather Iarrusso at City Center on 2020-02-26 Zazen, Tassajara, Karma |
Feb 26 2020 City Center |
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Zen Poetics: Awakening Through VerseSerial: SF-12310 Talk by Tova Green at City Center on 2020-02-14 Poetry, Tassajara, Dogen |
Feb 14 2020 City Center |
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Embracing Nature's Vanishing GraceSerial: SF-12208 Talk by Wendy Lewis at City Center on 2020-02-05 Global Warming, Tassajara, Repentance |
Feb 05 2020 City Center |
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Reimagining Power Through Spiritual ReflectionSerial: SF-12353 Talk by Wendy Lewis at City Center on 2020-01-25 Bodhisattva, Tassajara |
Jan 25 2020 City Center |
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Solitude, Nature, and Mindful AwakeningSerial: SF-12229 Talk by Wendy Lewis at City Center on 2020-01-22 Effort, Tassajara |
Jan 22 2020 City Center |
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Mountains and Waters: A Zen UnitySerial: SF-12226 Talk by David Zimmerman at City Center on 2020-01-11 Dogen, Zazen, Tassajara |
Jan 11 2020 City Center |
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Embracing the Fire Within TransformationSerial: SF-12146 Talk by David Zimmerman Sitting With Fire In Sesshin Day Of Day Sesshin at Tassajara on 2019-11-13 Tassajara, Zazen |
Nov 13 2019 Tassajara |
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Fire as a Path to InsightSerial: SF-12251 Talk by David Zimmerman at Tassajara on 2019-11-13 Tassajara, Zazen |
Nov 13 2019 Tassajara |
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Embodied Presence at TassajaraSerial: SF-12326 Talk by Leslie James Don Wish Your Life Away at Tassajara on 2019-11-06 Tassajara, Practice Period, Dogen |
Nov 06 2019 Tassajara |
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Zen Pathways to Climate ResilienceSerial: SF-12199 Talk by Linda Galijan The Mountains And Waters Of The Present Moment Are Burning at Tassajara on 2019-10-28 Tassajara, Hate |
Oct 28 2019 Tassajara |
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Burning Truths: Buddhism and Climate CrisisSerial: SF-12296 Talk by Linda Galijan at Tassajara on 2019-10-28 Tassajara, Hate |
Oct 28 2019 Tassajara |
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Zen Pathways: Journey to MeaningSerial: SF-12233 Talk by Tim Oconner Fraiser at City Center on 2019-10-09 Tassajara, Sangha, Gratitude |
Oct 09 2019 City Center |
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Zen Bonds: Transformative Connections UnveiledSerial: SF-12176 Talk by Arlene at City Center on 2019-08-28 Tassajara, Paramitas, Practice Period |
Aug 28 2019 City Center |
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FearlessnessSerial: SF-10754 07/27/2019, Unzan Mako Voelkel, dharma talk at Tassajara. Yoga, Tassajara |
Jul 27 2019 Tassajara |
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Zen Through Apprenticeship's Gentle PathSerial: SF-12304 Talk by Mary Stares Zen Prentice at Tassajara on 2019-07-10 Community, Tassajara |
Jul 10 2019 Tassajara |
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Mindful Steps on Life's EdgeSerial: SF-12262 Talk by Jiryu Ascending The Path On The Goat Back at Tassajara on 2019-06-29 Generosity, Tassajara |
Jun 29 2019 Tassajara |
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Being Thorough GoingSerial: SF-12305 Talk by Gaelyn Godwin Being Thorough Going at Tassajara on 2019-06-12 Tassajara, Dongshan, Sangha |
Jun 12 2019 Tassajara |
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Forgiveness as Zen CompassionSerial: SF-12306 Talk by Siobhan Cassidy The Power Of Forgiveness at Tassajara on 2019-06-01 Forgiveness, Tassajara, Bodhisattva |
Jun 01 2019 Tassajara |
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Poetry's Path to Shared HarmonySerial: SF-10733 05/29/2019, Ryushin Paul Haller and Naomi Shihab Nye, dharma talk at Tassajara. Tassajara |
May 29 2019 Tassajara |
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Poetry as a Catalyst for ChangeSerial: SF-12185 Talk by Conversisions Beyond Words With Nayomi And Paul at Tassajara on 2019-05-29 Tassajara, Money, Politics |
May 29 2019 Tassajara |
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This is Esselen LandSerial: SF-10822 05/11/2019, Zenshin Greg Fain, dharma talk at Tassajara. Tassajara, Dogen |
May 11 2019 Tassajara |
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The Human Instinct To Become QuietSerial: SF-10738 03/23/2019, Ryushin Paul Haller dharma talk at City Center. Tassajara |
Mar 23 2019 City Center |
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Great Ocean Embraces All Creeks and RiversSerial: SF-11465 7/24/2018, Gendo Lucy Xiao dharma talk at Tassajara. Tassajara |
Jul 24 2018 Tassajara |
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Practice SecretlySerial: SF-11561 7/11/2018, Leslie James dharma talk at Tassajara. Tassajara |
Jul 11 2018 Tassajara |
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Expanding Minds Through Zen PracticeSerial: SF-11619 Talk by Inryu Barger at Tassajara on 2018-06-13 Tassajara, Suzuki Roshi |
Jun 13 2018 Tassajara |
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Not A CircleSerial: SF-11556 5/30/2018, Leslie James dharma talk at Tassajara. Tassajara, Practice Period |
May 30 2018 Tassajara |
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How To Build SanctuarySerial: SF-11602 5/18/2018, Leslie James dharma talk at Tassajara. Sanctuary, Tassajara |
May 18 2018 Tassajara |
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Who Are All These People? (Guest Season is Best Season!)Serial: SF-11580 4/23/2018, Zenshin Greg Fain dharma talk at Tassajara. Tassajara, Practice Period |
Apr 23 2018 Tassajara |
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When Everything Changes, Rely On Spiritual FriendsSerial: SF-10381 9/9/2017, Zesho Susan O'Connell dharma talk at Tassajara. Tassajara |
Sep 09 2017 Tassajara |
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Knowing Each Other's HeartsSerial: SF-10406 9/7/2017, Leslie James dharma talk at Tassajara. Tassajara |
Sep 07 2017 Tassajara |
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Spiritual Communion and the Four Noble TruthsSerial: SF-10396 6/17/2017, Yo on Jeremy Levie dharma talk at Tassajara. Tassajara, Suffering |
Jun 17 2017 Tassajara |
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Embrace the Unseen WithinSerial: SF-10374 5/31/2017, Leslie James dharma talk at Tassajara. Zazen, Tassajara |
May 31 2017 Tassajara |