Susan Moon is a writer, editor, and lay teacher in the Soto Zen tradition. She is the author of a number of books about Buddhism, including the humor book The Life and Letters of Tofu Roshi and This Is Getting Old: Zen Thoughts on Aging with Humor and Dignity. For many years she was the editor of Turning Wheel, the journal of socially engaged Buddhism. Her short stories and essays have been published widely.

Sue has been a Zen student since 1976, practicing in the lineage of Suzuki Roshi at Berkeley Zen Center, Tassajara Zen Mountain Monastery, Green Gulch Farm, and now with Zoketsu Norman Fischer’s Everyday Zen sangha. She received “entrustment” as a lay teacher in 2005.

Our Monday night programs begin with zazen (sitting meditation) followed by a devotional service and dharma talk, group discussion, practice circle or retreat night. There are no membership requirements to participate. We invite donations to support the room rental, visits by teachers, and other sangha activities. Valley Streams Zen Sangha is dedicated to the study of Buddha’s teaching and the practice of meditation. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, we will meet online using Zoom video conferencing software. We will continue to monitor local health advisories regarding group meetings. We of course hope to be able to resume our in-person programs as soon as it is safe to do so.

*To join the meeting by computer, you must install Zoom software:

1. Sign Up for Weekly Emails to receive each Meeting ID and Password.
2. Prior to the meeting, download the free Zoom Client for Meetings (13 MB)  As you Wait for the host to start the meeting click the Test Computer Audio button to make sure you can hear and be heard by others.
3. Download the chants in PDF.
4. At 6:50 pm, join the meeting at: https://zoom.us/j/[Meeting ID],[Password]
5. The program will begin at 7pm with this approximate schedule: 20 minute sitting; 5 minute chant; announcements; then a 30-40 minute Talk/Discussion.

*To join by telephone (audio only):

1. Dial 669 900 6833 (San Jose) and follow voice prompts for entering the Meeting ID and password.
2. The one tap string of numbers are included in the Weekly Email.
3. Phone Controls: *9 = Raise hand; *6 = Mute/unmute