“…when we practice zazen, it is not that big mind is actually controlling small mind, but simply that when small mind becomes calm, big mind starts its true activity.” ~Suzuki Roshi For the third year, Valley Streams Zen is offering a two-and-a half day non-residential sesshin. This is an opportunity to set aside daily concerns, […]
Susan Moon is a writer, editor, and lay teacher in the Soto Zen tradition. She is the author of a number of books about Buddhism, including the humor book The Life and Letters of Tofu Roshi and This Is Getting Old: Zen Thoughts on Aging with Humor and Dignity. For many years she was the […]
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 […]
"I have discovered that it is necessary, absolutely necessary, to believe in nothing. That is, we have to believe in something which has no form and no color---something which exists before all forms and colors appear." ~ Shunryu Suzuki, roshi This theme will be explored in our practice and in the Dharma talk. The retreat will […]
Jizo is the beloved Great Bodhisattva found within many Buddhist traditions, who carries us across the threshold of death and loss and safely accompanies us through the ‘hell zones’ of deep suffering. Especially honored in Japan, Jizo (also known as ‘Earth Store’ or ‘Earth Womb’) brings to us the qualities of courage, fearlessness, and tenderness needed […]
In this unprecedented time, a writing practice can help sustain a sense of orientation within the chaos. We can discern awareness of the First Noble Truth through articulation of our personal challenges, behaviors, feelings, and reactions to events. Expressive writing helps us both stay with and let go of the enormous pressure of current changes […]
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, […]
Welcome and orientation for Rohatsu Sesshin offered via Zoom. Rohatsu sesshin is a time for bringing light into the dark time of the year and celebrating Buddha’s awakening, which is our awakening too. This Rohatsu will be on Zoom and will have a very different format. It will last a full week, but we’ll be sitting […]
Rohatsu sesshin is a time for bringing light into the dark time of the year and celebrating Buddha’s awakening, which is our awakening too. This Rohatsu will be on Zoom and will have a very different format. It will last a full week, but we’ll be sitting only the morning and evening periods, Sunday, Nov. 29 […]