Calendar

Introduction to Zen Meditation – ONLINE

On the second Monday of each month, we offer a 40-minute introduction to Zen practice.  For now, we are offering the instruction online, using using Zoom video conferencing software. We focus on the art of sitting meditation, with emphasis on posture, breath and mental focus. This is for new meditators and those wishing to refresh […]

Dharma Talk by Rev. Mary Mocine

Reverend Mary Mocine, is abbess of Clear Water Zendo in Vallejo. She was trained at San Francisco and Berkeley Zen Centers, and Tassajara Zen Monastery. She was ordained in 1994 by Sojun Mel Weitsman, former Abbot of San Francisco Zen Center and continuing Abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center. Reverend Mocine has also trained with Abbess […]

Dharma Talk by So On Jim Hare

So-On Jim Hare  serves as Tanto, or head of practice. He lived in the San Francisco Zen Center community from 1980 to 1984, and was lay ordained by Tenshin Reb Anderson in 1985. He served as Head Student at Green Gulch Farm during the spring 2002 practice period. He was priest ordained by Myo Lahey […]

Retreat Night

On Retreat Night we offer an opportunity to settle into your meditation practice with three 25-minute periods of zazen, interspersed with walking meditation (called kinhin). Turning the light inward we explore the causes of suffering and what can end it. This invitation is extended to everyone. *To join by computer, Meeting ID for Monday Evenings: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82008151977 Prior […]

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey

  Rev. Myo Lahey, Abbot of Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco and our guiding teacher, will offer the Dharma talk this evening. Myo has previously served as head of practice (Tanto) at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. He is a Dharma heir of Tenshin Reb Anderson. Raised in an observant Roman Catholic home, Myo […]

Dharma Talk by Ryuko Laura Burgees

Ryuko Laura Burges, a lay entrusted Buddhist teacher in the Soto Zen tradition, lectures and leads retreats at different practice centers in Northern California. A teacher of children for 30 years, she trains other teachers to bring mindfulness practice into the elementary classroom. Laura co-founded the Sangha in Recovery program at San Francisco Zen Center. […]

Way-Seeking Mind Talk by Shalama Yahchove

Shalamah has been practicing with Valley Streams since 2019. She received the Bodhisattva precepts June 19, 2019, from her teacher OSho Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, in a Jukai ceremony at the Berkeley Zen Center. Professionally, Shalamah is a licensed California chiropractor and massage provider. She has offered massage during summers at Tassajara, since 2015, while living […]

Dharma Talk by Rev. So On Jim Hare

So-On Jim Hare  serves as Tanto, or head of practice. He lived in the San Francisco Zen Center community from 1980 to 1984, and was lay ordained by Tenshin Reb Anderson in 1985. He served as Head Student at Green Gulch Farm during the spring 2002 practice period. He was priest ordained by Myo Lahey […]

Dharma Talk by Rev. Korin Charlie Pokorny

Rev. Korin Pokorny began Sōtō Zen practice in 1991 at the San Francisco Zen Center and trained as a resident at Tassajara and Green Dragon Temple (Green Gulch Farm) from 1994 to 2006. He received a master’s degree in religious studies at Stanford University in 1994. He was ordained as a Sōtō Zen priest in […]

Way-Seeking Mind Talk by Richard Hicks (ONLINE)

Each of us has come to Zen practice as a seeker, with a spirit of inquiry. We all arrive at Valley Streams Zen Sangha from diverse backgrounds. The idea of our way-seeking mind talks is for members to share how it is they came to practice. Each person tells his or her own story in […]

Dharma Talk by Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel (online by video)

Rev. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, of Still Breathing Zen Meditation Center in Oakland, will lead our meditation and offer the dharma talk. Rev. Zenju is a dharma heir of Buddha and the late Zenkei Blanche Hartman in the Shunryu Suzuki Roshi lineage through San Francisco Zen Center (SFZC).  Her practice is influenced by Native American and African indigenous traditions. She is an […]

Dharma Talk by Rev. So On Jim Hare (ONLINE)

So-On Jim Hare  serves as Tanto, or head of practice. He lived in the San Francisco Zen Center community from 1980 to 1984, and was lay ordained by Tenshin Reb Anderson in 1985. He served as Head Student at Green Gulch Farm during the spring 2002 practice period. He was priest ordained by Myo Lahey […]