Whole Heart, Boundless Heart: A Retreat on the Four Brahmaviharas

The four Brahmaviharas—often translated as the "Immeasurables"—are a classical Buddhist meditation practice rooted in the intention to cultivate boundless love, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity toward all beings. They're central to Theravada practice, but this Soto Zen retreat brings that framework into conversation with koan study and Zen sitting, plus creative and conversational elements that set it apart from a traditional sesshin format.

Tassajara is San Francisco Zen Center's residential monastery in the Carmel Valley, a mountain valley retreat with its own hot springs and guest accommodations. The setting is part of the practice—remote, quiet, built for deep work. This retreat runs six days, which gives enough time to establish rhythm without overwhelming newcomers.

The blend of traditional meditation, creative practice, and dialogue suggests an accessible entry point for people new to Zen or to Brahmaviharas practice. You won't be sitting eight hours a day in silence; the structure sounds more spacious and conversational than a standard sesshin, which makes it suitable for people exploring these practices for the first time.