Dojin Sarah Emerson is co-Head Priest at Stone Creek Zen Center in Graton, CA.  She lived and trained at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center and other sites of the San Francisco Zen Center from 1998-2007. She received Dharma Transmission from Abbott Konjin Gaelyn Godwin of the Houston Zen Center in 2015. She has a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from California Institute of Integral Studies, and has worked in the fields of mental health and pastoral care with children and adults. As a priest in the U.S., Sarah is committed to centering anti-racist practice. She experiences Bodhisattva Zen practice as uniquely supportive to inquiring into, challenging, and transforming systems of oppression, particularly racial inequities and the harm they cause within convert Buddhist sanghas and in U.S. society generally. Sarah has also worked for many years in grief support—clinically, pastorally, and in community—specializing in ceremonies for child loss. She lives with her partner, Korin Charlie Pokorny (also a Soto Zen Buddhist priest), their children, and numerous pets in Sonoma County.

Our Monday night programs begin with zazen (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.

For those who are joining us online:

1. Meeting ID for Monday Evenings: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977
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.
5. The program will begin at 7pm with this approximate schedule: 30 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. Phone Controls: *9 = Raise hand; *6 = Mute/unmute