Sitting zazen is extending an invitation to great compassion. Not doing anything, yet compassion arises spontaneously, "like reaching back for a pillow at night," according to one Zen story. On Saturday March 3rd, we'll send invitations all morning, still and silent on our cushions, and moving in walking meditation. Our morning will include a short […]
Like a Snake in a Bamboo Tube - a half-day Zen sitting and Dharma talk "Putting a snake in a bamboo tube" is an old simile for zazen. Just as the snake naturally wants to wiggle and not be confined, so we often have a problem holding ourselves still. Even when we stop the body, the […]
“Work as meditation” illustrates how work is just as important a time for mindfulness practice as sitting zazen or walking meditation. In work as meditation, there isn't too much need for thinking, planning or conceptualizing. While effort is made to do what we are doing efficiently and beautifully, we needn’t hurry or worry about how […]
Sitting with Calm and Insight: a half-day schedule of sitting and walking meditation, offered along with a Dharma talk by So On Jim Hare on the teachings of Shamata and Vipassana (Calming and Insight) from the Samdhinirmochana Sutra. This will be a continuation of a Dharma talk that was given on September 10th, but it […]
Zazenkai means "to come together for meditation." As such, it is a short retreat, with the periods marked by the usual bells and interspersed with walking meditation, but with no Dharma talk or instruction. It is a time to come together and enjoy sitting and walking with one's Dharma friends. It is a time for […]
A half-day schedule of sitting and walking meditation, offered along with a Dharma talk by So-On Jim Hare. Please bring a bag lunch if you would like to join us for a social lunch after the formal program. If this is your first time practicing with us or your first half-day sitting, please call Jim at […]
Zazen practice eases anxiety and fear, and brings forth our courageous spirit, strengthening our capacity to meet what comes with a calm mind. Please join us for a morning of sitting and walking meditation and a Dharma talk. Please bring a bag lunch if you would like to join us for a social lunch after the […]
Details to follow.
"A monk goes to the forest, to the foot of a tree, or to an empty room, sits down cross-legged in the lotus position , holds the body straight, and establishes mindfulness in front of him/her." ~The Satipatthana Sutra. The schedule for this retreat will include sitting and walking meditation, and a short Dharma talk […]
After these many months of sitting at home, we have an opportunity to practice together, sitting outside, socially distanced. (Air quality and weather permitting!) This will be a "zazenkai" sitting, meaning a schedule of silent sitting and walking meditation, with no dharma talk. Everyone will be masked and at least 6 feet apart. Registration is […]
Resting the mind in the midst of the habitual activity of thought is the ultimate form of relaxation. This will be a online sitting with a schedule of sitting and walking meditation and a short Dharma talk by Valley Streams Zen practice leader, Jim Hare. The schedule will include the option to begin sitting early, […]
This half-day sitting will be led by tanto, So-On Jim Hare. There is no fee for this sitting, but you do need to register on Eventbrite.com. The link and a detailed schedule will be sent to those who register. There will be an optional early morning sitting beginning at 6 a.m. for those who wish for […]