A Few Impressions of Tassajara

Perhaps my favourite moments in the day while I was at Tassajara were between the wake-up bell and the beginning of the han, around 5:40 am. Most days I was well awake before the wake-up bell started, and I would wash my face, put my robes on, and with nothing much else to do at that time of day, in recent years I have gone and stood at the work circle to wait for the official signal to come to the zendo. We started – and ended – each day in the half-light, an almost pinkish glow in the sky. In the morning, Venus was still showing close to Flag Rock. The trees and the buildings were absolutely still. Just those moments of quiet were treasures. In the zendo I often find myself paying attention to the choreography of instruments and people, not to mention the discomfort of sitting straight through for more than an hour, but outside, there was nothing but meeting the moment.

I was leading a mixed group of first-timers to Tassajara and returnees, through the combination of zendo activities, work, study, hiking, bathing and rest. I heard from one of the group something I used to hear when I led guest retreats: the wish to have more time for each of those things. I also wished for more time, but for me it was to get back out to the many places I used to visit on my day off, up and down the creek, out on the trails.

Naturally there were rocks to be moved; I had fun consulting with Manzan, the Head of Grounds, on a project that was very doable in the time frame

Unlike last year, we had typically hot days most of the week. This year we went to the Wind Caves on a morning hike, and it was already hot as we started climbing the trail at 10:00 am. We also all worked in the kitchen after lunch that day- Tassajara does make demands on the body.

Having given a talk last summer, I wasn’t expecting to do so again, but it was nice to be invited to be the morning doshi doing the jundo around various altars and leading morning service, which I felt a little rusty on, but I think I acquitted myself okay.

Afternoon sun at the Narrows, where it was hot enough to want to stay in the shade.

The sun rising past Flag Rock, with some soji raking at the work circle.

Apart from the Narrows, we also visited my two other favourite swimming holes close by, which were still good, even though the creek was very low.

I was lucky to be staying in the Stone Rooms.

Responses

Shonen

July 18, 2025

Do you know the reason why they did away with kinhin? I was surprised when I started zooming in for morning zazen at CC to discover there was now only a “posture adjustment” period.

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1. shundo
  
  July 18, 2025
  
  I suspect because not enough people necessarily knew how to do it. It can be a little chaotic when that is the case, and there may have been a reluctance to explain it every time. It’s also possible that the schedule starts later, and this was the easiest thing to squeeze.
  
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Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest