Zen and Drawing

This retreat pairs zazen with observation drawing—a less common format that uses art practice as a form of meditation. The idea is straightforward: sitting in silence, then drawing what you see (and what arises internally), then back to the cushion. It's a way to move between inward focus and attentive looking, which can shift how contemplation feels.

San Francisco Zen Center follows the Soto Zen tradition, which emphasizes shikantaza—just sitting—without koan work or the formal intensity of Rinzai practice. At Tassajara, their mountain retreat center near Big Sur, the setting supports this practice. The schedule will likely include morning and evening zazen, meals in oryoki style (formal eating practice), and structured drawing sessions replacing some traditional sitting periods.

This is held at Tassajara, which means residential accommodation and full meals are included. The retreat is capped and currently waitlist-only, so early interest suggests it fills quickly. If you're drawn to exploring meditation through both stillness and visual practice, this is a direct offering—no special drawing skill needed.