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Workshops, Retreats, and Events

Book Release: Kaz Tanahashi & Peter Levitt "The Essential Dogen," CC 6/28/13
Friday, June 28, 7:30 - 9 pm
SF Zen Center, 300 Page Street, Dining Room [directions]

The Essential Dogen, edited by Kazuaki Tanahashi and Peter Levitt, provides readers with a comprehensive array of the most salient and primary themes Dogen explored throughout his teaching career. Organized according to subject matter for the first time, Dogen’s understanding, insights and views are made readily accessible to experienced and new readers alike. The text draws from all previous Dogen translations supported by San Francisco Zen Center.



Know Yourself, Forget Yourself, CC 5/25/13
Saturday, May 25, 2013, 1 - 4pm
with Marc Lesser
Conference Center at 308 Page Street
Naming and embracing your life’s contradictory truths and authentic paradoxes is essential to creating an inspired and effective life. Humans are inescapable storytellers, and we can hold many conflicting and contradictory stories at the same time. The elasticity of the human mind and heart is not only capable of this but seems to welcome the chance.



Meditation Posture Fridays: Yoga Practices for Sitters, CC 5/31/13
December 14, 2012 - May 31, 2013
300 Page Street Buddha Hall
with Shosan Victoria Austin

Fridays, 4 - 5:30 pm
March 15
April 12
May 10

The posture we take affects everything about meditation from its ease or difficulty to the thinking process; there are infinite ways to study it. This 9-session series is offered to provide a guided apprenticeship in the yoga of meditation.

Me, Myself and I: To Have, To Hold, and Then To Let Go When Needed, CC 6/2/13
Sunday, June 2, 2013,  9am – 4pm
with Keiryu Liên Shutt

Conference Center at 308 Page Street


How does “me, myself and I” contribute to a sense of suffering? In this one-day workshop, we’ll look at when the concept of “I” arises and how our effort to justify, verify, or solidify an idea of “me as X-person” is a point in which dis-ease/suffering can typically reside.



Movement and Stillness: An Afternoon of Zen and Yoga, at ZaZEN Filbert Street, 6/2
June 2 and August 17, 2013
1 - 4 pm
with Sofia Fohrman and Ango Sara Tashker

Located at ZaZEN, 2219 Filbert Street, San Francisco view map

Cultivate the unity of mind and body, motion and stillness, through the complementary practices of Vinyasa yoga and Zen meditation.



Friendship: The Quintessential Practice of all the Buddhas, CC 6/8/13
Saturday, June 8, 2013
with Venerable Dr. Pannavati

Public Dharma Talk
10 - 11 am
In the Buddha Hall at 300 Page Street

Workshop
1 - 4:30 pm
In the Conference Center at 308 Page Street

Relationships form based on many factors. Underlying our rational assumptions of who is "friend" or "enemy" or what types of people we "like" or "dislike" are subtle factors, karmic influences, and unrecognized perceptions based on the 6 senses.


Liberation in the Details, at ZaZEN Filbert Street, 6/23
June 23, 2013
1 - 4 pm
with Jody Greene and Shundo David Haye

Located at ZaZEN, 2219 Filbert Street, San Francisco view map

The Art of Attentiveness in Zen and Yoga



Joyful Mind in the Zen Kitchen, CC 6/29/13
Saturday, June 29
1:30 - 7:00 pm (includes dinner)
In the Kitchen at 300 Page Street
with Melinda Miller and Mark Lancaster

Join former guest cook Melinda Miller and Zen teacher Mark Lancaster as we prepare a simple summer meal together while deepening the practice of attention and mindfulness.
Exploring the Breath in Zazen, CC 6/29/13
Saturday, June 29, 2013, 10am - 4:30pm
with Issho Fujita

“Breath from the nose is stealthily spreading all over the body” This short sentence is an only description of the breath during zazen by Dogen Zenji in Fukanzazengi(Universal Promotion of the Principles of Zazen).


Returning to the Source: A Mid-Summer Zen and Restorative Yoga Retreat, at ZaZEN Filbert Street, 7/13
July 13, 2013
1 - 4 pm
with Erin Merk

Located at ZaZEN, 2219 Filbert Street, San Francisco view map

Find your way back to the present moment in this healing afternoon retreat combining the nourishing practice of restorative yoga with the gentle, upright presence of Zen meditation.



The Arising of Stillness in Zen and Yoga, at ZaZEN Filbert Street, 7/20
July 20, 2013
1 - 4 pm
with Shokuchi Deirdre Carrigan and Shundo David Haye

Located at ZaZEN, 2219 Filbert Street, San Francisco view map

In this workshop we will practice presence with the wondrous workings of mind and body.



Speech That Connects Us: A Day-Long Workshop for Teachers, Parents, Social Workers, Nurses and Others, CC 7/21
Sunday, July 21, 10 am to 5 pm with Tova Green Conference Center at 308 Page Street This class is open to anyone who wishes to delve deeper into speech—this necessary, challenging and rewarding aspect of life, work and relationships. CEUs are available for MFTs, LCSWs, psychologists and nurses.

Yoga, Zen and The Three Jewels, at ZaZEN Filbert Street, 7/27
A three part workshop:
July 27, August 31 and September 28, 2013
1 - 4 pm
Yoga and Zen Practice with Lisa Jansen and Judith Randall

All levels welcome. Although this is a series, if you cannot attend all 3 practices, drop-ins will be welcome.



Presenting Shunryu Suzuki Roshi’s Teachings, CC 8/10/13
Saturday, August 10, 2013, 1:00 - 4:00pm
with Sojun Mel Weitsman and Myogen Steve Stücky

Finding our own truth in living this one human life.

The founding teacher of San Francisco Zen Center, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, had a unique genius for presenting subtle and profound teachings in simple, accessible ways that continue to inspire generations of people on a path of practice.


Transforming Depression and Anxiety: A Path of Skillful Compassion, CC 8/11
Sunday, August 11
9 am - 5 pm

(CEU's available - see note in description.)

with Dr. Lee Lipp and David Zimmerman

Suzuki Roshi said, "In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities ..."

Combining mindfulness and specific therapeutic approaches, this workshop will examine how to best take care of ourselves by relating to depression and anxiety with compassion. The aim of the workshop is for participants to practice identifying, relating to, and interrupting conditionings that are hindrances to feeling better.



Embracing Change: Zen and the Art of Creating a Life You Want, CC 8/18/13
Sunday, August 18, 2013
9:30 am - 4 pm
with Keiryu Liên Shutt

Conference Center at 308 Page Street

Are you at a point in your life in which you feel like it's time for a change, but you're not sure how to proceed?

Change can be hard. Especially a change that we haven't chosen at this time, such as job or relationship loss. Or perhaps this is a life-transition time.



Writing Ourselves Alive, CC 8/24/13
Saturday, August 24, 2013
9am - 4pm
with Marc Lesser and Roger Housden

Conference Center at 308 Page Street

The inner life appears on the page in many forms, and at its heart is the quest for truth.

This workshop uses the raw material of your life to reveal the deeper intelligence of your inner journey. We explore in writing what lies in your heart, your aspirations and fears, your ways of seeing both your past and your present.


Warm Earth, Ripe Harvest: A Late-Summer Zen and Restorative Yoga Retreat, at ZaZEN Filbert Street, 8/24
August 24, 2013
1 - 4 pm
with Erin Merk

Located at ZaZEN, 2219 Filbert Street, San Francisco view map

Let yourself fully ripen in this healing afternoon retreat combining the nourishing practice of restorative yoga with the gentle, upright presence of Zen meditation.



Finding Ease: A Zen and Mindfulness Approach to Anxiety, CC 9/7
Saturday, September 7
9 am - 5 pm
with Dr. Lee Lipp and Kansan David Zimmerman

Conference Center, 308 Page Street

(CEUs available)

“You open a door to a dark room and you think you know what’s there, where everything is arranged, but you really don’t know until you step inside.” - Bob Dylan, Chronicles, Vol. 1

Aversion to anxiety is often accompanied by reactivity and actions that worsen how we feel. We suffer. This workshop, taught from the perspectives of Zen and Mindfulness meditation practices, is supported by the latest neuroscience and psychological research.



Balanced and Awake: Zen and Yoga to Harmonize Body and Mind, at ZaZEN Filbert Street, 9/21
September 21, 2013
1 - 4 pm
with Letitia Bartlett and David Zimmerman

Located at ZaZEN, 2219 Filbert Street, San Francisco view map

Breathe, open and unravel. Release everyday stresses and challenges so that breath, ease and vitality can flourish.



Still Body, Waves of Breath: An Autumn Zen and Restorative Yoga Retreat, at ZaZEN Filbert Street, 10/12
October 12, 2013
1 - 4 pm
with Erin Merk

Located at ZaZEN, 2219 Filbert Street, San Francisco view map

Settle into the deepness of the autumn season in this healing afternoon retreat combining the nourishing practice of restorative yoga with the gentle, upright presence of Zen meditation.



Transforming Depression and Anxiety: A Path of Skillful Compassion, CC 10/20
Sunday, October 20
9 am - 4 pm

(CEU's available - see note in description.)

with Dr. Lee Lipp and David Zimmerman

Suzuki Roshi said, "In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities ..."

Combining mindfulness meditation, yogic breathing and postures, and specific therapeutic approaches such as cognitive therapy, this 1½-day workshop will examine how to best take care of ourselves by relating to depression and anxiety with compassion.



Meditation Posture Fridays: Yoga Practices for Sitters™
December 14, 2012 - May 31, 2013
300 Page Street Buddha Hall
with Shosan Victoria Austin

Fridays, 4 - 5:30 pm
2012
December 14

2013
January 11
February 15
March 15
April 12
May 10

The posture we take affects everything about meditation from its ease or difficulty to the thinking process; there are infinite ways to study it. This 9-session series is offered to provide a guided apprenticeship in the yoga of meditation.



Transforming Depression and Anxiety: Drop-in Classes
Thursdays
6 to 7:30 pm
Practice classes are facilitated by Lee Lipp, Ph.D.
Conference Center, 308 Page Street

For those who have participated in the Transforming Depression and Anxiety basic introductory workshops. These 1½-hour practice classes are offered to those who are interested in fine-tuning the practices introduced in the basic skills workshops taught throughout the year at SFZC and at other venues.


Finding Ease: A Zen and Mindfulness Approach to Anxiety
May 5
Sundays, 9 am - 5 pm
with Dr. Lee Lipp and Kanzan David Zimmerman

Conference Center, 308 Page Street

(CEUs available)

“You open a door to a dark room and you think you know what’s there, where everything is arranged, but you really don’t know until you step inside.” - Bob Dylan, Chronicles, Vol. 1

Aversion to anxiety is often accompanied by reactivity and actions that worsen how we feel. We suffer. This workshop, taught from the perspectives of Zen and Mindfulness meditation practices, is supported by the latest neuroscience and psychological research.



Interims
During the interim break the regular schedule is optional for residents. The zendo (meditation hall) will continue to be open for meditation, staffed by volunteers. Sign up on the volunteer sheet near the zendo or contact the ino if you would like to volunteer to be doan or doorwatch in the morning or evening during the interim. Thank you.



Dharma Discussion Groups
On the Wednesday evenings when City Center schedules Dharma Discussion Groups, those attending the Wednesday evening program, 7:30-8:30 pm, are offered an introductory statement and then divide into small groups to discuss a topic. Everyone comes together again at the end of the evening to share the content of each group's discussion.

Wednesday Full Moon Ceremony with Small Groups
7:30 - 9 pm

2012
November 28

When the Full Moon Ceremony coincides with our usual Wednesday evening Dharma talk, the ceremony is preceded by small group meetings in which the participants discuss their reflections on the precepts. The ceremony is a formal confession, repentance, and reavowal, accompanied by several bows. An example of the ceremony can be downloaded here.