After zazen, we will celebrate Doralee Grindler Katonah's recent priest ordination with her root teacher, Sojun Diane Martin, with whom she has studied for the past 18 years. Doralee's ordination into the Soto Zen lineages of Shunryu Suzuki and Dainin Katagiri, took place on October 19th at Indian Creek Zen Farm near Ottawa, Illinois. During her […]
You are invited to celebrate what your generous time, effort and financial support has manifested as we mark another year together in our beautiful Dharma Center building. Bring your family and friends! More details at SDC website. If you would like to be on the volunteer committee for the party contact Linda Dekker at zendekker@gmail.com.
“…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, […]
“…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, […]
“…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, […]
Welcome the new year by celebrating the treasure of sangha with your sangha friends! After meditation & service, join us for tea and conversation. Taking care of the Sangha is a treasure to appreciate along with Buddha and Dharma. Please bring a finger food offering, and poetry, story, or music to share (if you wish).
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 […]
Join us for this shared opportunity for growth and development, co-led by Doralee Grindler Katonah and Linda Dekker. We will come together for one hour, with a guided writing time as the preamble to a 20-minute zazen practice; followed by another guided writing time, and then time to share. With pens and silent stillness, we […]
Led by Doralee Grindler Katonah and Linda Dekker. Coming together online for one hour, with a guided writing time as the preamble to a 20-minute zazen practice together, followed by another guided writing time and then time to share. The sharing time will be facilitated with practice circle guidelines – silent listening with no cross […]
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 […]
Bring your coffee or tea and a pastry and spend a relaxed Sunday morning catching up with Sangha friends, hearing the latest news from VSZS Board members, and sharing your ideas! President Doralee will review the past year's events and Treasurer Larry Smith will present the Sangha's financial report. We will assemble in our Zoom […]
Welcome the new year by celebrating the treasure of sangha with your sangha friends - albeit virtually this year! This will be an evening of sharing poetry, stories, or music, with time to visit in small groups on Zoom. One and all are welcome! Program Schedule During the Covid-19 pandemic, we will meet online using […]