Meditation and Modern Life: A Zen Meditation Retreat

With Dan Zigmond

April 4 - 7, 2025

Date and Time Details:

Friday
5:00 pm – 5:45 How to Drop into Esalen
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Saturday
8:00 am – 8:30 am (optional)
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sunday
8:00 am – 8:30 am (optional)
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Monday
8:00 am – 8:30 am (optional)
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

See general schedule information including arrival, departure and meal times.

  • Sleeping Bag Space – $840.00
  • Bunk Bed Space – $1,110.00
  • Standard Shared Space – $1,395.00
  • Standard Queen Room – $1,845.00
  • Standard Room Two Beds – $2,925.00
  • Premium Queen Room – $2,700.00
  • Premium King Room – $2,898.00
  • Premium Plus King Room – $3,276.00
  • Premium Wooden Yurt – $3,276.00
  • Premium Wooden Yurt Two Beds – $3,276.00
  • Rolf Suite – $6,264.00
  • Point House – $6,264.00
  • Fritz Point House – $6,264.00
  • South Point House – $7,500.00

When was the last time you gave something your undivided attention? Nearly 2,500 years ago, Buddha worried we had become too distracted — and that was before paper, let alone smartphones. In 2022, our days are filled with convenient distractions that promise happiness while mostly delivering busyness and frustration. So many of us today live life in a hectic fog, working too much and noticing too little. 

There is a different way. For this weekend workshop, we will disconnect, slow down, and meditate together. We will learn the ancient Zen practice of sitting still, bringing our full awareness to what is now. 

Our time together will follow a gentle schedule of sitting meditation punctuated by brief lectures, group discussion, relaxing meals, and soaks in the healing baths, all while exploring the process and practice of mindful living. We’ll be listening to our own bodies, noticing the food we eat, and truly engaging with the people around us – exploring what it means to be fully present.

Together we will explore everything you need to start, revive, or deepen your daily meditation practice. You will receive instruction in traditional Zen Buddhist meditation and we will sit together in guided sessions, practicing what we’ve learned. We’ll work together on everything from the mechanics of sitting posture to the mental barriers we all face. We’ll discuss how to overcome common obstacles to meditation and the many ways to incorporate more mindfulness and presence into our daily lives.

Whether you’re brand new to meditation or even if you’ve been practicing for years, join us in learning how to bring meditation into your life and mindfulness to your work and home – today and every day. Come reclaim a healthier and happier way to be.

Recommended Reading: Buddha’s Office, by Dan Zigmond

About the Leader

Dan Zigmond

Dan Zigmond is a writer, technologist, and Zen priest. He is a guiding teacher at Jikoji Zen Center and serves on the board of directors of the San Francisco Zen Center. He has also led teams at some of the world’s most successful companies, including Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft. His most recent book Buddha's […]

Learn more about Dan Zigmond

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