The Heart of the Zen Way and the Koans of Everyday life
Use this page to register for RESIDENTIAL participation (moving in and living at 300 Page St. in San Francisco for the duration of the practice period).
You can also register for the practice period as an ONLINE or COMMUTER attendee. Commuters can attend Monday classes on-line or in-person.
Being present and experiencing what’s happening, is the essence of Zen practice (and requires no special abilities). Our life blossoms as we learn to meet what’s being experienced in each moment. Sustaining presence is the Heart of the Zen Way.
In the Practice Period we will engage the formal Zen practices of ango that promote presence. Also we’ll explore the inquiry of “appropriate response” to the informal activities and situations of daily life.
When we see with the “eye of practice” we’re drawn into investigating our response to the issues and challenges of our life. This inquiry reveals the koans, both traditional and informal, that are called forth. As we engage and learn from them, our life becomes our teacher.
In this 9-week Practice Period we will discuss and engage with formal zen practices that promote presence and an “appropriate response” to the informal activities and situations of daily life. Also we will investigate Zen koans that call forth both formal and informal responses.
Includes weekly small group discussions.
- Move-in: September: 30th, 2025
- Move-out: December: 7th, 2025
- Orientation Wednesday: 10/1 7:15pm
- Classes: 8 Mondays, 10/6, 10/13*, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 11/24 at 7:15pm
- One-Day Sittings: 10/4, 11/8
- Rohatsu Sesshin: 11/30 - 12/6
Application deadline: 9/7/25
*Online-only due to temple holiday
- Full Schedule Resident: $2,942
The student participates in all aspects of life in the Temple including being on a Temple work crew.
- Limited Schedule Resident: $4,270
The student participates in the practice schedule and community jobs such as dish shifts and house jobs but is free to do their own work outside of the Temple and is not on a Temple work crew.
Application deadline is Sunday, September 7, 2025.
Or call 415-354-0360.