Calendar

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 […]

Welcome Back Practice Circle (in-person & online)

After zazen, we will hold a memorial service to remember all who have died or lost loved ones to the virus. For the practice circle, we explore the question "How has the pandemic affected your practice life?" This is our first IN-PERSON Monday night meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic began. We invite you to join us in […]

Introduction to Zen Meditation (in-person at the Dharma Center)

On the second Monday of each month, we offer a 40-minute introduction to Zen practice.  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 their practice of meditative immersion. These classes are now being held at the Dharma […]

Dharma Talk by Anbo Stuart Kutchins (in-person AND online)

Anbo Stuart Kutchins has been practicing Zen since the early 1980’s.  He shares the path of  practice with his wife and fellow priest Ninen Carrie Kutchins. They ordained in 1994 with their principal teacher Tenshin Reb Anderson and lived in the San Francisco Zen Center community 1994 – 1999, at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center and […]

Dharma Talk by So-On Jim Hare (in-person & 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 […]

Dharma Talk by Rev. Dojin Sarah Emerson (in-person & online)

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 […]

Dharma Talk by Paravrtti Doralee Grindler Katonah (in-person & online)

Paravrtti Doralee Grindler Katonah serves as Ino, or head of the meditation hall. She studied in the Soto Zen lineage with Sojun Diane Martin in Illinois and Rev. Val Szymanski in California. She was priest ordained in 2019 by Sojun Diane Martin. Doralee works as a clinical psychologist.  (www.livingforwardwhole.com) Our Monday night programs begin with zazen […]

Introduction to Zen Meditation (online)

On the second Monday of each month, we offer a 40-minute introduction to Zen practice.  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 their practice of meditative immersion. This class WILL BE HELD ONLINE BECAUSE OF CURRENT […]

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey (in-person & online)

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 was […]

Dharma Talk by So-On Jim Hare (in-person & 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 […]