Zen center established in 1970's located in New Mexico
New Mexico
Our center located in Jemez Springs New Mexico, enjoys a beautiful riverfront property with six main buildings to house its residents and guests as well as spaces for ceremonies, meditation, education, cooking and dining. The village is located in a beautiful canyon surrounded by the Jemez National Recreational Area and the Sante Fe National Forest, near Albuquerque and Santa Fe. For many centuries, people have been drawn to the natural beauty, the blending of cultures, the developed and natural hot springs (one of the nicest is at the Bodhi), and the spiritual and recreational pursuits.
We would LOVE to host a furture farmer interested in the intersection of farming and spiritual service to community. A future farmer would have their own room and be given the opportunity to participate in daily meditation and other Zen practices.
We have a large production garden, with a master gardener here one day a week and an onsite garden manager. The produce is used in our kitchen, which feeds many people, residents and those passing through on one retreat or another. We also participate in the Jemez Springs Farmers Market, where we sell produce, homemade yoghurt, granola, and other prepared foods. From about March to September the garden is a happening place. We also have 20+ chickens that need daily care and complement our diet with eggs. The garden is watered via an acequia, a historic community operated irrigation ditch that channels water to local properties all the way through the Jemez valley. There are fruit trees and raised beds that also need tending.
The Center was established in the 1970’s in the structured, monastic, style of its founder who was among the early masters who brought Zen from Japan to the west. Just as Zen evolved as it branched out from India to China then to Japan, it continues to evolve as it influences and is influenced by the culture of its American practitioners. With a new generation of leadership, life and practice here is less monastic, more open to the public and part of the surrounding communities. Students continue to reside for extended periods in order to be immersed in formal Zen practice. Other residents contribute their experience and skills—cooking, baking, gardening, assisting with laundry, maintenance, administration, etc.—to the community and participate in the practice to varying degrees.
Non-residents with varying levels of experience attend monthly weekend silent retreats and several 7-10 day silent retreats a year. A number of yoga, spirit journey, and buddhist groups utilize the facilities for their compatible practices. Individuals come for their own personal contemplative retreats.
WWOOFers are an integral part of the Bodhi community - not only for their work contributions but their spiritual quests and journeys. Service is varied but most likely will include tending the garden and chickens, assisting with cooking, cleaning, laundry and general work around the Center taking the Zen practice into the world. An interest in Zen is welcome but not required and folks participate to varying degrees depending on availability and interest.
Accommodations are gender specific bunk rooms (3 bunks to a room) and private room for couples. WiFi is available but can be spotty at times. There is a local bus that goes to Albuquerque on a regular basis. We can do airport pickups.
If this sounds good to you - check out additional information on our website and let us know if you're interested in WWOOFing with our team.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Poultry farming
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Bakery
Methods or systems
Biodynamic agriculture
Holistic management
Mentoring opportunities
Woman-operated
Host type
Nonprofit / Community
Bonnie
Member since 2015
Languages spoken:
English, French
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Response rate: 100%
Response time: typically within 2 days
New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM
Reviews
Julia
United States
•
February 2026
My time here was such a beautiful, tranquil and restorative time. The environment was peaceful, the staff & community members were so welcoming and made me feel right at home. The hospitality here is truly unmatched! There were many ways to be of service at the center, whether it was weeding, helping with dishes, preparing rooms for guests at the center, or other landscaping projects - I liked how there were a variety of ways to be of service. Bonnie and Hosen were both just incredible in their own ways - Bonnie was great at looking at the bigger picture of what needed to be done and broke it down in a manageable way. She also was so supportive when I needed assistance! Hosen was so warm and compassionate, and I learned so much from her. I would go back in a heartbeat, truly a gift being here
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Shannon
United States
•
January 2026
How can I ever capture my time here in words? I’m in awe of how much pure love permeates through this place. The collective effort to look after the land and center, the love infused in the very abundant and nourishing food, and how everyone there brought curiosity and care for each other every single day — I’m so grateful i got to receive and learn from this place as a beautiful model of service, presence, and community. Thank you, Hosen, Bonnie, Kai, and all who came through the zen center for holding so much care and joy.
Practicing zen daily (hot springs included) reminded me how precious it is to just be. And the dogs (shoutout Jade), just by being their lovely selves, were also reminding me this too. I am especially honored to join in on the holiday traditions of visiting the pueblo, celebrating with the loving extended family of the B, and meditating among the luminarios into the new year. I got to pour back into this place by helping with cooking, tending to the chickens, keeping the wood stove ripping hot, washing dishes, tidying and cleaning, and other small but mighty tasks to keep the center running smoothly.
Each day was so rich that my three weeks flew by, but it also felt like I’d been there for months because I felt so safe and immersed in this community and town. I’m so grateful for my time, this place, and all the people I worked alongside, learned from, and laughed fully with. It was so hard to say goodbye, and I really look fo...
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Maggie
United States
•
November 2025
I highly recommend a WWOOF here! The community of people here is so welcoming and kind. The work is varied and enjoyable, and there is a good balance of work and personal time. The accommodations are very comfortable and the food is abundant and delicious! I feel blessed for the opportunity to serve and practice here for the past month. I am so grateful for the generosity and wisdom of Hosen and everyone there, I send you all my love and I hope to return!
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Austin
United States
•
October 2025
One of the most welcoming and warm hearted individuals I have met during my travels. I was met with so much love and acceptance from everyone and learned a lot from the folks here. Highly recommend staying ar the center for the wholesome, familial environment.
Tommy
United States
•
September 2025
I received a warm welcome upon my arrival to this beautiful place. I bonded with everyone that I met there on a very deep level. I felt that I was a part of a family. I will always think fondly of the memories that I made at the Bodhi. Much respect to Hosen, a truly wonderful human being. This place weaved its way into my soul.
Hannah
United States
•
June 2025
This is an incredibly welcoming, peaceful, fun and vibrant place to spend time. The grounds are stunning and working in the garden was really enjoyable. We also worked in the kitchen when retreats were there and that was so much fun!! Kai is awesome to work with and we learned a lot from him. The other wwoofers were also so fun to work with and hangout with. Hosen is an amazing person who lights up the space, I am inspired by her humor and positivity and joy!! She is so cool! We would recommend a stay here 100%!
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Reply from Bonnie
Thank you both for committing time and energy to the Bodhi community. We are so glad to have been part of your journey. Namaste dear friends!
