In zazen, we rest awake in the boundless silence and stillness that invisibly nourishes and sustains our everyday, active lives.

The mind holds the body, and the body holds the mind, in deeply habitual ways. In zazen (just sitting with nothing to get ahold of and nothing to get away from – in complete acceptance), we sit upright and settle deeply in the embrace between gravity and the earth. In zazen, we simply settle the body and disengage from excessive thinking, thus releasing the breath, the nervous system, and the musculature of the body. We dare to rest awake in the boundless silence and stillness that invisibly nourishes and sustains our everyday, active lives.

This retreat will be led by Nyokai Kristin Diggs. Our day will include periods of sitting and walking meditation, and a Dharma talk. A silent lunch break will be offered, during which indoor and outdoor seating will be available. Please bring your own lunch.

Nyokai Kristin Diggs joined our sangha as Teacher in 2026. Prior to moving to Sacramento, she trained residentially at all three San Francisco Zen Center temples (2014-2025), holding a number of senior positions, including Ino, Tenzo, and Work Leader. Lay ordained by Tenshin Reb Anderson and priest ordained by Eijun Linda Cutts, she served as Shuso during the winter 2025 practice period at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, led by Eijun Linda Cutts.

This day of sitting will also offer periods of optional, personalised posture suggestions/adjustments to those who wish to receive help establishing a settled/easeful sitting posture.

Attendance is available on a sliding scale from $10 to $50. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

If this will be your first extended sitting with us, please send us a note at info@valleystreamszen.org to introduce yourself.

Please register here.