Valley Streams Zen Sangha

Mind of Compassion, Body of Support
2018-06-02 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 3111 Wissemann Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95826, United States
A Day of Zen Meditation, Buddhist Teaching & Yoga, taught by Kyosho Valorie Beer and Barbara Baccei
Immerse yourself in a day of traditional Buddhism and alignment Yoga. From Buddhism’s Four Foundations of Mindfulness, you will be guided in identifying long-held emotional patterns and the way they show up in your body. Meditation allows us to study our interpretations of the body’s experience as pain and pleasure. Yoga reveals the visceral connection integrating mind and body together for the relief of suffering. Find ease in your body-mind. Live in the world with more compassion for yourself and others. An adaptive approach for people of all genders, backgrounds, abilities and disabilities.
Kyosho Valorie Beer has practiced Zen Buddhism since 1991. She ordained as a priest in 2005 and received dharma transmission in 2013 from her teacher Edward Espe Brown. She is a visiting teacher for San Francisco Zen Center’s Branching Streams sanghas.
Barbara Baccei has practiced yoga since 1990. She was teacher certified in 1997. She divides her time between Sacramento and Berkeley, practicing and teaching, and completing training through The Berkeley Yoga Room

No meditation or yoga experience required.
Please bring a sack lunch and yoga mat.
Fee: $0-$60 sliding scale
Information: Barbbaccei@gmail.com
REGISTER at Eventbrite.com

Practice Circle led by Doralee Grindler Katonah
2018-06-04 19:00 - 21:00
Letting Go and Turning Towards ~ The pathway to freedom from suffering.
‘A student at Tassajara sat facing Suzuki Roshi on a tatami mat in his room. The student said he couldn’t stop snacking in the kitchen and asked what he should do. Suzuki reached under his table, “Here, have some jelly beans,” he said.’ (from To Shine One Corner of the World – Moments with Shunyru Suzuki, p.12)
The Buddha spoke of the causes of suffering to be clinging and turning away, and especially clinging to self and avoiding no self. Zazen releases these opposites and yet this isn’t easy. Trying not to cling could become turning away and turning towards could become a form of clinging.

In this practice circle we will inquire: What is our practice showing us about this truth? How do we give whatever arises its freedom?

Practice Circle Guidelines (as adapted from the Zen Center of Los Angeles):
When speaking, we practice speaking from integrity and speak the truth as we know it. We stay focused on our own experience as opposed to taking about others or talking abstractly.
In listening, we try not to interrupt, even with our thoughts. We practice receiving whatever is being offered by another without attachments or judgements.
In silence, we allow all things to arise and pass away, accepting and honoring different expressions and perspectives. We sit with our discomfort.

Study Group - The Heart Sutra
2018-06-07 08:00 - 09:00
Study is one of the pillars of Zen practice. Please join us every Thursday morning for our ongoing study group to discuss ancient and contemporary texts.

Facilitated by Rev. So On Jim Hare.
Current text: Living by Vow: A Practical Introduction to Eight Essential Zen Chants and Texts by Shohaku Okamura.
Heart of Great Perfect Wisdom Sutra
Contact Rollin Ives (twl4148@gmail.com) for details.

Japanese Temple Pilgrimage, presented by Sarah O'Gara
2018-06-11 19:00 - 21:00
Sangha member and board member, Sarah O’Gara, will share some of her adventures in Japan during her trip to visit many Buddhist temples.
Our Monday night programs always begin with zazen (sitting meditation). Additional offerings include a devotional service, dharma talks by visiting teachers, group discussions, practice circles and retreat nights. There are no membership requirements to participate. We invite donations to support the room rental, visits by teachers, and other sangha activities. Valley Streams Zen Sangha is dedicated to the study of Buddha’s teaching and the practice of meditation. We invite newcomers and experienced Zen students to join us.

Tea Ceremony with Misha Merrill
2018-06-17 11:00 - 12:00
Misha Merrill is the primary teacher for Zen Heart Sangha in Menlo Park and Woodside, California and has been practicing Zen since 1984. She was ordained as a Zen priest in 1988 and received Dharma Transmission in 1998 from her teacher, Les Kaye Roshi, the abbot of Kannon Do Zen Center and dharma heir in the lineage of Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, the founder of San Francisco Zen Center.
Suggested donation: $20 – $30.
Register on Eventbrite

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey
2018-06-18 19:00 - 21:00
Rev. Myo Lahey is Abbot at Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco and our guiding teacher. He has previously served as Practice Leader at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. He is a Dharma heir of Tenshin Reb Anderson.
Rev. Myo is available for individual practice discussion by appointment prior to our Monday evening program. Email info@valleystreamszen.org

Zazen & Full Moon Ceremony
2018-06-25 19:00 - 21:00
This ceremony is an affirmation of the vow to live for the benefit of all beings. In the Zen tradition we associate the full moon with the ideal of awakening. All are welcome.

Dharma Talk by So On Jim Hare
2018-07-02 19:00 - 21:00
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, and priest ordained by Myo Lahey in 2016.

Half-day Sitting, led by Rev. So On Jim Hare
2018-07-07 08:30 - 12:30
Like a Snake in a Bamboo Tube – a half-day Zen sitting and Dharma talk

“Putting a snake in a bamboo tube” is an old simile for zazen. Just as the snake naturally wants to wiggle and not be confined, so we often have a problem holding ourselves still. Even when we stop the body, the mind continues to move. So over and over again, we practice patience with our wiggly nature. Sitting and walking, sitting and walking is an excellent method for realizing stillness. We hope you will join us.
REGISTER AT EVENTBRITE.COM

Photographs will be taken after the sitting.
Please bring a bag lunch if you would like to stay for informal lunch after the sitting.

*Our one-day and half-day sittings are generally held on the first Saturday of every month.

Practice Talk by Doralee Grindler Katonah
2018-07-09 19:00 - 21:00

Study Group - CANCELLED
2018-07-12 08:00 - 09:00
Thursday morning Study Group is cancelled this week due to conflicting activities. Please join us next Thursday morning.

Facilitated by Rev. So On Jim Hare.
Current text: Living by Vow: A Practical Introduction to Eight Essential Zen Chants and Texts by Shohaku Okamura.
Heart of Great Perfect Wisdom Sutra
Contact Rollin Ives (twl4148@gmail.com) for details.

Tassajara Study Week - Presentation
2018-07-16 19:00 - 21:00
Tassajara was established in 1967 as the first Soto Zen training monastery outside of Japan. It offers monastic training periods during the fall and winter months, and each year from May to September, Tassajara, or Zenshinji (Zen Heart-Mind Temple), opens its gates to students and guests alike for the summer guest season. This year, ten members of Valley Streams Zen Sangha were invited to join with resident and guest students for 5 days of formal practice, work and play. Tonight we will hear about their experiences there.

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey
2018-07-23 19:00 - 21:00
Rev. Myō Lahey is Abbot at Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco and our guiding teacher. He has previously served as Practice Leader at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. He is a Dharma heir of Tenshin Reb Anderson. Rev. Myō is available for individual practice discussion by appointment prior to our evening program.

NOTE: We would like to take some (staged) photographs tonight for use on our website.

Poetry Night, led by Linda Dekker
2018-07-30 19:00 - 21:00
Sangha member, Linda Dekker, will lead us in an evening of reading and writing poetry.

Half-Day Sangha Work Practice, led by Linda Dekker
2018-08-04 09:00 - 12:00
“Work as meditation” illustrates how work is just as important a time for mindfulness practice as sitting zazen or walking meditation. In work as meditation, there isn’t too much need for thinking, planning or conceptualizing. While effort is made to do what we are doing efficiently and beautifully, we needn’t hurry or worry about how much is getting done. In not rushing to get the dishes washed or the carpets vacuumed, we have an opportunity to just appreciate the work for what it is—a thoroughgoing engagement with our life in the moment.
We will begin the day with a period of zazen; then pick up our tools with silent intention. Please join us, and bring a bag lunch to stay for social time in our freshly cleaned center!
To register, email zendekker@gmail.com

CANCELLED: One-day Sitting with Zenju Earthlyn Manuel
2018-08-04 09:00 - 17:00
We are sorry that Zenju has had to cancel this retreat with us due to illness.

Practice Circle: Acceptance & Respect in Community
2018-08-06 19:00 - 21:00
Practice Circle led by So On Jim Hare
The Three Treasures are the foundation of the Practice Circle: (1) the Oneness of Buddha, (2) the Diversity of Dharma, (3) the Harmony of Sangha. The circle itself is a container for being in the present, manifesting just as we are in the truth of the moment.
Practice Circle Guidelines (as adapted from the Zen Center of Los Angeles):
When speaking, we practice speaking from integrity and speak the truth as we know it. We stay focused on our own experience as opposed to taking about others or talking abstractly.
In listening, we try not to interrupt, even with our thoughts. We practice receiving whatever is being offered by another without attachments or judgements.
In silence, we allow all things to arise and pass away, accepting and honoring different expressions and perspectives. We sit with our discomfort.

Practice Talk by Doralee Grindler Katonah
2018-08-13 19:00 - 21:00
Peggy McIntosh, in her article “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack”, describes white privilege as “an invisible package of unearned assets.” These advantages in a very deep way remain invisible to white people because they are built in to our way of life, and we often mistake them for just how life is. White privilege and racism are reflections of each other. We practice to liberate all beings…..addressing white privilege is our side of the coin which remains hidden from our view.
Doralee will share her learnings and invite us to consider these insights through discussion and a guided exercise.

Dharma Talk by Rev. Myo Lahey
2018-08-20 19:00 - 21:00, 2018-09-17 19:00 - 21:00
Rev. Myo Lahey is Abbot at Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco and our guiding teacher. He has previously served as Practice Leader at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. He is a Dharma heir of Tenshin Reb Anderson.
Rev. Myo is available for individual practice discussion by appointment prior to our Monday evening program. Please email info@valleystreamszen.org

Retreat Night
2018-08-27 19:00
On Retreat Night we enjoy our traditional retreat night; a chance to settle into our meditation practice with three 25-minute periods of zazen, interspersed with walking meditation (kinhin). Turning the light inward we explore the causes of suffering and what ends it. This invitation is extended to everyone.

Labor Day Holiday - No One-day Sitting
2018-09-01
Please enjoy the holiday with family and friends.

CLOSED for Labor Day Holiday
2018-09-03

Shamata/Vipassana Teachings - So On Jim Hare
2018-09-10 19:00 - 21:00

Study Group - Vasubandhu's Yogacara
2018-09-20 08:00 - 09:00
Study is one of the pillars of Zen practice. Please join us every Thursday morning for our ongoing study group to discuss ancient and contemporary texts.

Facilitated by Rev. So’on Jim Hare.
Current text: Inside Vasubandhu’s Yogacara: A Practitioner’s Guide, by Ben Connelly
Contact Rollin Ives (twl4148@gmail.com) for details.

The Radiant Light of Buddha Nature: One-day Sitting with Kokyo Henkel
2018-09-22 09:00 - 17:00
Kokyo Henkel is the resident teacher at Santa Cruz Zen Center. Prior to assuming his current position, he practiced at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, No Abode Hermitage in Mill Valley, and Bukkokuji Monastery in Japan.
He was ordained as a priest in 1994 by Tenshin Anderson Roshi and received Dharma Transmission from him in 2010. Kokyo enjoys studying the original teachings of Buddha-Dharma from ancient India, China, and Japan with an eye to their relevance in bringing peace and harmony to this troubled world.
» REGISTER at EventBrite.com
The fee is on a sliding scale of $20-$60, according to ability. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. You will be invited to give an additional teacher donation on the day of the retreat. For questions, please contact Sarah at sarah_ogara@yahoo.com or 916-484-6808.

Full Moon Ceremony
2018-09-24 19:00 - 21:00

Fall Study Period Begins
2018-10-01 19:00 - 21:00
Our fall study period echoes the centuries-old tradition of Buddhist communities gathering for “winter rains” retreats. This is a time for deepening one’s study of the Buddha Way.
In a traditional Zen practice period you are in residence. Your days are regulated by a schedule of zazen, service, formal oryoki meals, and work around the temple grounds and kitchen. Simply following the schedule, you find yourself carried along in the stream of practice. You sit zazen, hear and study teachings, and meet with a teacher for dokusan or practice discussion. Your individual effort is reinforced by the collective effort of the sangha. The Valley Streams study period replicates some aspects of a traditional practice period, but relies more on your individual motivation and effort. It requires faith and confidence to remember you are joining other Sangha members when you sit, study, and work. More information here.
The study period will be led by So On Jim Hare. Our focus will be on Yogacara, an influential school of Buddhist philosophy that explains how our human experience is constructed by the mind. “All experience is preceded by mind, led by mind, made by mind”: this opening line of the Dhammapada could be called the root position of Yogacara thought. It captures the “radical” idea that nothing appears except what is previously conceived in human thought and perception. The Yogacara (yoga practice) school arose in 5th century India and was influential at the same time that the Zen school was developing in China. We will explore the central ideas of Yogacara thought, as succinctly conveyed through the text known as Vasubandhu’s Thirty Verses. Ben Connelly’s book Inside Vasubandhu’s Yogacara: a Practitioner’s Guide (Wisdom Publications, 2016) will be our guide.

Dharma Talk by So On Jim Hare
2018-10-01 19:00 - 21:00
Who was Vasubandhu?

Half-day Sitting, led by So On Jim Hare
2018-10-06 09:00 - 13:00
Sitting with Calm and Insight: a half-day schedule of sitting and walking meditation, offered along with a Dharma talk by So On Jim Hare on the teachings of Shamata and Vipassana (Calming and Insight) from the Samdhinirmochana Sutra. This will be a continuation of a Dharma talk that was given on September 10th, but it will stand on its own for people who did not attend that 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. $20

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