Valley Streams Zen Sangha

Half-day Sitting, led by So On Jim Hare
2019-11-02 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
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 916-456-7752 so you can learn more about the day. $20

Registration TBA – or sign up on a Monday evening.

Half-Day Sitting led by So-On Jim Hare
2020-01-04 09:00 - 13:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
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 formal program.
If this is your first time practicing with us or your first half-day sitting, please call Jim at 916-456-7752 so you can learn more about the day. $15

Register on Eventbrite.com – or sign up on a Monday evening.

Half-day Sitting, led by So-on Jim Hare
2020-08-17 08:00 - 12:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Details to follow.

Bringing Mindfulness to the Fore; a half-day sitting
2020-09-12 09:00 - 13:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
“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 [or some other way], 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 by Valley Streams Zen Sangha practice leader, So-On Jim Hare. The schedule will include the option to begin sitting early, before joining the group on Zoom.
•This event is offered by donation. Please consider making an offering through Eventbrite.com when you register, or from the link on our homepage.
REGISTER HERE to receive full details and instructions for joining via Zoom.

Half-day Sitting (outdoors), led by So-On Jim Hare
2020-10-10 08:30 - 12:30 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
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 by donation and the number of attendees is limited. Please send an email if you are not already on our email list.

Half-day Sitting, led by So-On Jim Hare
2020-11-07 09:00 - 13:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
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, before joining the group on Zoom, as we did in the September sitting.
Register on Eventbrite.com

Sitting Where the Clouds Pile Up: Half-day Sitting
2021-02-06 09:00 - 13:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
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 more meditation.

*To join via computer:

Download free Zoom Client for Meetings and
Download SFZC Chants in PDF.

*To join by telephone (audio only):

Dial 669 900 6833 (San Jose) and follow voice prompts for entering the Meeting ID and password.
Phone Controls: *9 = Raise hand; *6 = Mute/unmute

Half-day Sitting, followed by Jizo Ceremony (online)
2021-04-03 09:00 - 13:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
This half-day sitting (9 am – noon) will be followed by a Jizo Ceremony to celebrate the arrival of McKinsey Shrader, Joshua and Laura Shrader’s soon-to-be-born second daughter. Rev. Doralee Grindler Katonah will offer the dharma talk and lead this special ceremony.
Jizo, known as the ‘Earth Store’ or ‘Earth Womb’ Bodhisattva, embodies and transmits the qualities of fearlessness, tenderness, and open heartedness – qualities that protect the mother and cradle the child during birth. Everyone is invited to participate by offering blessings and good wishes through a spoken prayer to Jizo. The prayers will be typed into the Zoom chat and later made into prayer flags for the family to hang.
Register on Eventbrite.com
A detailed schedule and Zoom Meeting ID will be sent to all who register.

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 a meeting by computer, you must install Zoom software:

Sign Up for Weekly Emails to receive each Meeting ID and Password.
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.
Download the chants in PDF.
At 6:50 pm, join the meeting at: https://zoom.us/j/[Meeting ID],[Password]
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):

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

Half-day Zazenkai, led by So-On Jim Hare (in-person OR online)
2021-08-07 08:30 - 12:30 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
This sitting may be on Zoom rather than outdoors at the Dharma Center as recently planned. In addition to heightened concerns about Covid, we are experiencing poor air quality due to fires in the Sierra. If these conditions continue on Saturday, the sitting will be held via Zoom. Please call or send an email for most recent venue information.
Zazenkai is a silent meditation retreat that doesn’t feature a Dharma talk. It is simply to go deeply into the practice of zazen; allowing silence and stillness to offer their blessings. The schedule will alternate six half-hour periods of sitting and walking meditation, with a short silent break in mid-morning.

If this is your first time practicing with us or your first half-day sitting, please call So-On Jim at 916-456-7752 to learn more about the day.

Register on Eventbrite.com

Rohatsu Sesshin, Half-day sitting & Closing Ceremony (in person)
2021-12-05 09:00 - 12:00 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Half-Day Sitting and Buddha’s Enlightenment Ceremony

This sitting will be in person at the Dharma Center. It will not be offered on Zoom. The schedule for the day will be sent to all who have registered at Eventbrite.com
Full Rohatsu Sesshin Schedule

This traditional week of intensified practice celebrates the enlightenment of our original teacher in India, Shakyamuni Buddha. Rohatsu sesshin is a time for bringing light into the dark time of the year and for celebrating Buddha’s awakening, which is our awakening too. This sesshin is a combination of in-person and online. It will last a full week, but we’ll be sitting only morning and evening periods, Sunday – Thursday. Friday will be online only; Saturday we offer a full day of sitting in person at the Dharma Center. We close out the week on Sunday, Dec. 5, with a half-day, in-person program of zazen, a Dharma talk, and closing ceremony.

Zazenkai Half-day Sitting (online)
2022-01-08 08:30 - 12:30 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Please join us online for a half-day “Zazenkai” retreat on Saturday, January 8th. This retreat will focus on the practice of just sitting (Shikantaza) and just walking (Kinhin), in silence and inner stillness. Zazenkai is a silent meditation retreat that doesn’t feature a Dharma talk. It is simply to go deeply into the practice of zazen, allowing silence and stillness to offer their blessings. The schedule will alternate six half-hour periods of sitting and walking meditation, with a short silent break mid-morning. A donation is requested, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Register on Eventbrite

Stilling the Waves of the Mind: A Half-Day Sitting led by So'on Jim Hare
2022-03-05 08:30 - 12:30 | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
“It appears as if something comes from outside your mind, but actually it is only the waves of your mind” ~Shunryu Suzuki, Roshi

This sitting will include a schedule of sitting and walking meditation and a short Dharma talk.
Please be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend this sitting in person. We will have a social lunch following the sitting. Please bring your own lunch..
Register on Eventbrite.com

Practice Secretly, Working Within: Half-day Sitting (In Person)
2022-05-07 08:30 - 12:30 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
To practice secretly is to practice within; it is getting close to and friendly with everything we experience.

In stillness and silence, we will spend the morning together, practicing zazen and walking meditation. This retreat is suitable for those with some familiarity with Zen practice and forms. Masking is optional, but everyone who attends must be vaccinated against Covid-19.

We will enjoy a social lunch after the sitting – please bring your own.
If you have questions, please contact us at info@valleystreamszen.org.
Register at Eventbrite.com

Dharma Art Day: Zazen and SoulCollage® with Alexa Singer-Telles (in person)
2022-06-04 13:00 - 17:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Preparing a Sincere Offering to the Three Treasures: A Creative Exploration of Dogen’s Instructions for the Cook

Please join us for a day of mindful practice to explore Dogen’s teachings for cooking your life in a creative and experiential way. It is said that “bodhicitta is born of the smallest offering made with sincerity.” In our time together we will practice cultivating the mind of love by combining the ingredients of zazen, SoulCollage®, guided writing practice, collaboration, and ritual. Please bring your open heart, imagination and curiosity to see what unfolds in this transformational process. Our offerings will be honored in a closing ceremony.
The SoulCollage® process was developed by Seena B. Frost, M.Div. as a mixture of joyful art play and as a healing guide using the potentiality of images and symbols to access our own innate wisdom through journaling and sharing.
Alexa Singer-Telles, True Silent Action, is a dharmacharya (teacher) in the Plum Village tradition, receiving Lamp Transmission from Thich Nhat Hanh in 2014. She is the guiding teacher for several sanghas in California, Washington, Oregon and Calgary. She co-founded the River Oak Sangha in Redding, and led it for 30 years. She is a practicing psychotherapist, certified facilitator of SoulCollage® groups, and women’s spiritual ceremonialist. She recently founded the MotherRoot Sangha. Inspired by studying our Buddhist women ancestors, she aspires to be an old woman of no rank.
You don’t need artistic skill to attend this event, but you do need to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Mask wearing is optional and will be supported.
Register on Eventbrite.com Event Flyer

Sitting is True Reality: a half-day Sitting, led by So'on Jim Hare (In-Person)
2022-07-02 08:30 - 12:30 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Sitting with no agenda; putting nothing before the mind – this is the art of zazen. This practice is appropriate for people seeking relief from the vicissitudes of feelings and discriminating consciousness, and it is good for people seeking simply to sit in true reality.

This retreat will include periods of sitting and walking meditation and a Dharma talk. Both first-timers and more experienced students are welcome.
REGISTER at EVENTBRITE.COM

Half-Day Retreat (In-Person)
2022-10-01 08:30 - 12:30 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Everything is in Everything!
There is “Not One Single Thing.” (Shodo Harada)
Come sit, walk together, deeply entering the silence as we realize our lives are not our own.
Rev. Paravrtti Doralee Grindler Katonah will lead a half-day retreat with sitting meditation (zazen), walking meditation (kinhin), and a dharma talk and discussion. Everyone is welcome.
Bring a lunch and join a social conversation in the newly landscaped Dharma Center north yard at the conclusion of the retreat.
Register on Eventbrite.
Sign up for VSZS Weekly News to learn the latest on program details.

There is no "you" to say "I" - Half-day Retreat Led by Rev. So'on Jim Hare (In-person)
2023-01-07 08:30 - 12:30 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
“What we call ‘I’ is just a swing door which moves when we inhale and when we exhale. It just moves; that is all. When your mind is pure and calm enough to follow this movement, there is nothing: no ‘I,’ no world, no mind nor body: just a swing door.” – Shunryu Suzuki roshi
Our morning will entail alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, Dharma talk, and end with a chanting service. Please bring some previous meditation experience and, if you like, a bag lunch – there will be a social lunch following the sitting.
If this will be your first half-day sitting or you have questions, please contact us through our website or at 916-456-7752.
To register go to Eventbrite.

Half-Day Sitting led by Rev. Parāvṛtti Doralee Grindler Katonah (In person)
2023-03-04 08:30 - 12:30 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
“Communing with the Source, travel the pathways, embrace the territory, and treasure the road.”
Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi
Whether sitting, walk, sitting, standing, or lying down we open wholeheartedly to the Way and Buddha activity happens on its own. Come, sit, and walk together to support each other in continuous practice. The retreat includes periods of zazen (sitting meditation), kinhin (walking meditation), and a dharma talk with a social lunch to follow. Bring your own bag lunch. Hot water and tea are available.
Register on Eventbrite.
For more information contact us at info@valleystreamszen.org. If you have limited or no experience in sitting meditation, please email the teacher at grindkaton@ icloud.com
Rev. Parāvṛtti Doralee Grindler Katonah serves as Ino, or head of the meditation hall at Valley Streams Zen Sangha. She studies in the Soto Zen lineage with Sojun Diane Martin, founder and guiding teacher of Udumbara Zen Center in Illinois and Rev. Val Szymanski, Head Priest of Bamboo in the Wind Zen Sangha in California. She was lay ordained in 2008 and priest ordained in 2019. She served as head student for the Spring practice period at Bamboo in the Wind Zen Sangha in May 2022.

Half-day Sit led by Rev. So'on Jim Hare & Buddha's Birthday Celebration
2023-05-06 08:30 - 12:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Rev. So’on Jim Hare will lead a half-day sit in the morning with a special service at noon for the ceremonial washing of the Baby Buddha statue and the chanting of the Buddha’s Birthday Eko in gratitude for Queen Maya’s sacrifice.
Buddha’s birthday is celebrated in Japan on April 8th. In south and southeast Asia it is celebrated as Vesak or Buddha Day on May 5th. We will celebrate on May 6th, to honor the life of our original teacher in India, Shakyamuni Buddha. You are welcome and invited to join this sitting and ceremony. During the latter, we will chant the Heart Sutra and bathe the Baby Buddha. Please bring a lunch to enjoy with your Dharma friends following the ceremony. Birthday cake will be provided.
You are welcome to join the sangha at noon just for the service without participating in the half-day sit.
Register on Eventbrite.

Half-Day Sitting led by Rev. Parāvṛtti Hokyo Doralee Grindler Katonah : Cultivating Intimacy Within Open US to the World (In-person)
2023-07-01 08:30 - 12:30 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
A monk asked Dongshan: What is Buddha? Donshan replied, ‘Three pounds of flax.’
Whether sitting, walk, sitting, standing, or lying down we open wholeheartedly to the Way and Buddha activity happens on its own. Come, sit, and walk together to support each other in continuous practice. The retreat includes periods of zazen (sitting meditation), kinhin (walking meditation), and a dharma talk with a social lunch to follow. Bring your own bag lunch. Hot water and tea are available.
For more information contact us at info@valleystreamszen.org. If you have limited or no experience in sitting meditation, please email the teacher at grindkaton@ icloud.com
Rev. Parāvṛtti Hokyo Doralee Grindler Katonah serves as Ino, or head of the meditation hall at Valley Streams Zen Sangha. She studies in the Soto Zen lineage with Sojun Diane Martin, founder and guiding teacher of Udumbara Zen Center in Illinois and Rev. Val Szymanski, Head Priest of Bamboo in the Wind Zen Sangha in California. She was lay ordained in 2008 and priest ordained in 2019. She served as head student for the Spring practice period at Bamboo in the Wind Zen Sangha in May 2022.
Register on Eventbrite.

The Mysterious Unfolding of Our Undivided Reality: a Half-day Retreat with Rev. Parāvṛtti Doralee Grindler Katonah (In Person)
2023-11-04 08:30 - 12:30 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Come rest in the mystery, practice with great awareness, and experience the mystery unfolding amongst us. The retreat includes periods of zazen (sitting meditation), kinhin (walking meditation), and a dharma talk. Please bring a bag lunch and join us for an informal lunch at 12:30 pm. Hot water and tea will be available. Everyone is welcome.

For more information contact us at info@valleystreamszen.org. If you have limited or no experience in sitting meditation, please email the teacher at grindkaton@icloud.com.
Rev. Parāvṛtti Doralee Grindler Katonah serves as Ino, or head of the meditation hall. She studies in the Soto Zen lineage with Sojun Diane Martin, founder and guiding teacher of Udumbara Zen Center in Illinois, and Rev. Val Szymanski, Head Priest of Bamboo in the Wind Zen Sangha in California. She was lay ordained in 2008 and priest ordained in 2019. She served as head student for the spring 2022 practice period at Bamboo in the Wind Zen Sangha. She offers practice interviews upon request.

REGISTER ON EVENTBRITE

Knowing without Touching Things - Half-day Retreat Led by Rev. So'on Jim Hare (In Person)
2024-01-06 08:30 - 12:30 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Hongzhi lived in 12th century China and is famous for his Zen poems, which are recorded the Book of Serenity and elsewhere. Eihei Dogen admired his poem called Zazenshin and commented on it in his own text of the same name. During this retreat we’ll look at Hongzhi’s Zazenshin, particularly the line, “Knowing without touching things, illuminating without facing objects.”
Our morning will entail alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, Dharma talk, and end with a chanting service. Please bring some previous meditation experience and, if you like, a bag lunch – there will be a social lunch following the sitting.
If this will be your first half-day sitting or you have questions, please contact us through our website or at 916-456-7752.
To register go to Eventbrite.

Half-day Silent Retreat Led by Rev. So'on Jim Hare (In Person)
2024-03-02 08:30 - 12:30 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
This will be a silent meditation retreat (no Dharma talk). It is offered to simply to rest in samadhi (aka zazen), allowing silence and stillness to offer their blessings. The schedule will alternate six half-hour periods of sitting and walking meditation, with a short break mid-morning.
We’ll have an optional social lunch following the retreat. Please bring your own lunch.
Note that this sitting coincides with the Valley Streams women’s retreat at Green Gulch Farm, so our numbers may skew male. That said, everyone is welcome.
A donation of $20 is requested. No one will be turned away for lack of funds or donations of lesser amount.
If this will be your first half-day sitting or you have questions, please contact us through our website or at 916-456-7752.
Register on Eventbrite.

In Praise of the Middle Way: Half-day Sitting led by So’on Jim Hare (In Person)
2024-05-04 08:30 - 12:30 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
“And what is the middle way realized by the Tathagata that – producing vision, producing knowledge – leads to calm, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, to Unbinding? Precisely this Noble Eightfold Path: right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. This is the middle way realized by the Tathagata that – producing vision, producing knowledge – leads to calm, to direct knowledge, to self-awakening, to Unbinding.” (from Dhammacakkappavattana Sutra: Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dharma, Thanissaro Bhikkhu, translator.)
Please bring a bag lunch if you would like to join us for a social lunch following the sitting.
Registration below. If this will be your first half-day sitting, or you have questions, please contact us at Info@valleystreamszen.org or 916-456-7752.

Half-day Sitting led by Rev. Parāvṛtti Doralee Grindler Katonah (In Person)
2024-07-06 08:30 - 12:30 | Valley Streams Zen Sangha, Sacramento Dharma Center 3111 Wisseman Dr., Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
When two arrow points meet, this has nothing to do with the power of skill!
(Jewel Mirror Samadhi)
In our practice together we will consider this Truth of practice realization – that realization comes spontaneously and is not within the realm of consciousness (Genjo Koan) – it does not appear in the realm of perception – because it is unconstructedness in stillness (Self-Receiving and Employing Samadhi)
It matters that we come to practice together! Bring a sack lunch to enjoy sharing a meal.
Half-day retreat (8:30 am-12:30 pm) includes sitting and walking meditation, a Dharma talk and discussion period. Outside the meditation hall we will maintain noble silence.
Rev. Parāvṛtti Doralee Grindler Katonah serves as Ino, or head of the meditation hall. She studied in the Soto Zen lineage with Sojun Diane Martin, founder and guiding teacher of Udumbara Zen Center in Illinois and Rev. Val Szymanski, Head Priest of Bamboo in the Wind Zen Center in Sunnyvale, California. She was lay ordained in 2008 and priest ordained in 2019. She served as head student for the Spring practice period at Bamboo in the Wind Zen Sangha in May 2022. She offers Practice Interviews upon request.
Please bring a bag lunch if you would like to join us for a social lunch following the sitting.
Registration below. Suggested donation is $20 -$30. No one will be excluded for lack of funds. If this will be your first retreat day with us or you have questions, please email: info@valleystreamszen.org

Half-day Sitting (In Person)
2024-08-03 09:00 - 12:00 | Valley Streams Zen Sangha, Sacramento Dharma Center 3111 Wisseman Dr., Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Join the sangha for a half-day of shikantaza or just sitting with alternating periods of zazen (sitting meditation) and kinhin (walking meditation), In the “grass-roof hermitage we “just sit” followed by a social lunch at noon (please bring a bag lunch).
Registration is requested, but not required. Dana is appreciated. Donation can be made below. No one will be excluded for lack of funds. If this will be your first retreat day with us or you have questions, please email: info@valleystreamszen.org

Song of the Grass-Roof Hermitage
Shih-t’ou (700-790)
I’ve built a grass hut where there’s nothing of value.
After eating, I relax and enjoy a nap.
When it was completed, fresh weeds appeared.
Now it’s been lived in – covered by weeds…
Just sitting with head covered, all things are at rest.
Thus, this mountain monk doesn’t understand at all.
Living here they no longer work to get free.
Who would proudly arrange seats, trying to entice guests?
Shitou Xiqian was an early Chinese Zen master. He was called one of Zen’s two ‘great jewels’ For some years, he meditated continually in a hut built on a rock at Nan Monastery, and was thus called Shitou (“Priest Rock Head”)

The path of Zen: Half-day Sitting led by So’on Jim Hare (In Person)
2024-09-07 08:30 - 12:30 | Valley Streams Zen Sangha, Sacramento Dharma Center 3111 Wisseman Dr., Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
The path of Zen: Can you get there from here?
In many Zen texts and teachings, the path of Zen is described as what not to do, such as “don’t take the mind road” or “cease all the movement of the conscious mind.” What is the reason for this? How does it help us in our practice? We will consider these questions through sitting zazen and hearing a Dharma talk at our half-day sitting on Saturday, September 7th, 8:30 -12:30.
Led by So’on Jim Hare. A social lunch will follow this sitting – please bring your own.
Tickets can be purchased below with suggested donation $10 -$30. No one will be excluded for lack of funds. If this will be your first retreat day with us or you have questions, please email: info@valleystreamszen.org

Women's Group Retreat (In person)
2024-11-23 13:00 - 16:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
This group is CLOSED AT THIS TIME.
For more information please contact Doralee Grindler Katonah at grindkaton@icloud.com

Rohatsu Sesshin Half-Day Sitting and Buddha’s Enlightenment Ceremony (In Person)
2024-12-08 08:30 - 12:00 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Half-day Sitting – In Person – 8:30 am – 12 noon.
Today concludes the seven days of intensive practice with a half-day sitting and the Buddha’s Enlightenment Ceremony.
We will gather after the ceremony to share a buffet lunch.
Register for week-long program on Eventbrite
Full 7-Day Rohatsu Schedule
This traditional week of intensified practice celebrates the enlightenment of our original teacher in India, Shakyamuni Buddha. Rohatsu sesshin is a time for bringing light into the dark time of the year and for celebrating Buddha’s awakening, which is our awakening too.

Half-day Retreat with Rev. Parāvṛtti Doralee Grindler Katonah (In Person Only)
2025-01-04 08:30 - 12:30 | Sacramento Dharma Center, Sacramento Dharma Center, 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
Entering the seasons/the movement from day to night/the swirling of earth around the sun/the faces of the moon/the new year’s dawn.
Come practice together at the dawn of the New Year, sensing freshly the interconnectednes of all of life and our unique places in the universe. Periods of zazen, and kinhin, a Dharma talk, and service. This half-day retreat will be led by Paravritti Doralee Grindler Katonah, Valley Streams Zen Sangha’s leader of the meditation hall. At the conclusion, we will enjoy our bag lunches and sharing gentle conversation.
This retreat is offered by donation. Please consider a donation between $20 – $40. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Please contact Ino@valleystreamszen.org if this will be your first retreat day with Valley Streams Zen or if you would like a scholarship.

Rev. Parāvṛtti Doralee Grindler Katonah serves as Ino, or head of the meditation hall. She studies in the Soto Zen lineage with Sojun Diane Martin, founder and guiding teacher of Udumbara Zen Center in Illinois, and Rev. Val Szymanski, Head Priest of Bamboo in the Wind Zen Sangha in California. She was lay ordained in 2008 and priest ordained in 2019. She served as head student for the spring 2022 practice period at Bamboo in the Wind Zen Sangha. She offers practice interviews upon request.

Please register here.
