Love and Power: Responding to Fear, Online 11/1

Practice Center
Date / Time
November 1, 2026 / 10:00am - 12:00pm
Event Type
Workshops and Retreats
Description

The Zoom link to participate in this event will be provided at least 24 hours before it begins. Please call 415-354-0360 if you have any questions.


Sunday, November 1, 10 am–12 pm PT

A monk asked Ummon, "What is the teaching of a whole lifetime?"
Ummon replied, "An appropriate response."
—Blue Cliff Record, Case 14

Responding appropriately to the demands of life is a foundational practice for awakened living. In relationship with those we love, and in meeting the wider world, our capacity to respond with clarity and steadiness can feel obscured when fear arises.

In this day of practice, we will gently and directly explore the nature of fear. How does fear take shape in body and mind? In what ways does it narrow our vision or limit our freedom? What becomes possible when we turn toward fear with awareness and compassion, rather than turning away? How do we respond appropriately in fearful times?

Through zazen, Dharma teachings, guided reflection, and discussion, we will investigate how accepting fear—just as it is—can soften its grip. We will practice taking refuge in ways that no longer allow fear to stop or drive us, instead establishing a path for appropriate response.

This registration is for the online workshop on Sunday, November 1. There is a separate onsite workshop at City Center on Saturday, October 31. Participants are welcome to register for either the onsite workshop, the online workshop, or both.

To meet the needs of all participants, the online workshop will include a brief oral and visual review of content, plus exercises that review and build on themes from the previous day. Guiding teacher Shosan Victoria Austin is giving a Dharma talk on Saturday at 10:15 am PT which will be live-streamed, free of charge, via the online zendo.

All course sessions will be recorded, and registered participants will receive temporary access to the recordings for later viewing.

Fee Information
  • Benefactor Ticket Price: $70
  • General ticket price: $56
  • SFZC Member Ticket Price: $50
  • Sliding Scale 1: $34
  • Sliding Scale 2: $14
  • Current SFZC residents and qualified SFZC retirees may attend this course for free. To register, please email onlineprograms@sfzc.org at least 72 hours before the program begins.

Register Online

Or call 415-354-0360.

About SFZC Public Programs, Fees, and Cancellations