"Outwardly still while inwardly moving, like a tethered colt or a trapped rat, the ancient sages pitied them and bestowed the teachings." - Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi "Traps and snares can never reach it." - Eihei Dogen, Fukanzazengi The traps and snares of thinking and feeling often seem to block the way of […]
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.
Sangha member and VSZS board president, Doralee Grindler Katonah, PsyD & MDiv, will lead our discussion.
Our Presidents' Day discussion will be led by So On Jim Hare, head of practice. 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. Valley Streams Zen Sangha is dedicated […]
Our guiding teacher Rev. Myo Lahey from Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco is unable join us this evening due to illness. In his place, practice leader, Jim Hare will comment on and lead a discussion on Case 94 of the Book of Serenity, "Dongshan is Unwell".
Six Thursdays, 8 - 9 am • March 1 - April 5, 2018 • Led by Rev. So On Jim Hare Using Shunryu Suzuki's book, Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness as a guide, we will study the classic 8th century poem, Sandokai, "The Harmony of Difference and Equality." We will also use the text by […]
Sitting zazen is extending an invitation to great compassion. Not doing anything, yet compassion arises spontaneously, "like reaching back for a pillow at night," according to one Zen story. On Saturday March 3rd, we'll send invitations all morning, still and silent on our cushions, and moving in walking meditation. Our morning will include a short […]
Linda Dekker and Karen Hamilton will facilitate Koan Study. This will be an opportunity to get a taste of what we do in the Women Ancestors group which meets every third Thursday at 9 am. The Koan we will look at is Jiaoan's Sand in the Eye, pp. 90-92 of The Hidden Lamp: Stories from Twenty-five […]
Edward Espe Brown is a well-known Soto Zen Buddhist teacher, author, and chef. He was ordained in 1971 by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, who gave him the Dharma name Jusan Kainei , “Longevity Mountain, Peaceful Sea.” He leads sitting groups and meditation retreats in Northern California and internationally. BONUS: Please join us for a potluck supper with Rev. […]
Rev. Myō Lahey is Abbot at Hartford Street Zen Center in San Francisco , as well as Guiding Teacher at Valley Streams Zen Sangha. He has previously served as Practice Leader at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. A Dharma heir of Tenshin Reb Anderson, Myō is a sometime board member of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association of North America (SZBA) and also serves […]
Retreat night consists of three 25-minute sitting periods with walking meditation in between. All are welcome.
Presented by So On Jim Hare and Doralee Grindler Katonah. Monday night programs usually begin with zazen (sitting meditation), followed by a short devotional service, dharma talk, group discussion, or practice circle. There are no membership requirements to participate. We invite donations to support the room rental, visits by teachers, and other sangha activities. Valley […]