Misha 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.

Misha also teaches elementary and middle-school children at Peninsula School in Menlo Park where she is the librarian. She resides in Woodside with her husband.

Please join us.

Diane Eshin Rizzetto Teacher

4 Saturdays, 11am – 1pm
March 10 – 31

Please join us for a class exploring the lives and Dharma teachings of our women Buddhist ancestors.

Stories of our Buddhist women ancestors who made their way on the Dharma path through history are timelessly relevant and continue to be a source of wisdom and inspiration as we make our way into the 21^st century. Undaunted by the struggles and obstacles women encountered in the social and cultural milieu of their periods in history, their stories remind us all that if we are to truly carry forth the teachings into our world today, we must include every aspect of our lives.

This class will explore the lives and stories of several women ancestors through history who have embarked on this journey and whose experiences are sources of strength, determination, compassion and wisdom to anyone engaged in a life of practice.

The class is open to everyone.  No meditation experience is required.  People living further than a 2 hour driving distance from the Bay Zen Center may participate via teleconferencing.

Please complete the registration form and mail with your check to the Bay Zen Center. Write “Class” on the envelope.  Or send your application in separately and send your payment via PayPal. BE SURE TO INCLUDE A NOTE WITH YOUR PAYPAL PAYMENT THAT IT IS FOR THE CLASS.

Cost: non-members: $120;  members: $60

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 25.

Application Deadline: February 21st
(Note: This is an extension from the previously published deadline. Space is limited so apply early.)

Please join us for our 5 day Winter Sesshin, February 28th, 7pm to March 4th, Noon.

Sesshins, or retreats, offer us the opportunity to deepen our meditation practice and strengthen the awareness we carry into our everyday activities by setting aside time away from work, family, and other commitments to simply sit in silent meditation.

The schedule consists of zazen, seated meditation; kinhin, walking meditation; work practice; rest periods; lectures; and private meetings with the teacher.

During our sesshins, people who do not live within a 30-minute drive from the Center, sleep at the Center or are housed with our local members. They may also find accommodations on their own if they choose.

With all our sesshins, we are flexible with the needs of individuals. If you have questions, please email the Sesshin director Bill Press at billpress [at] gmail [dot] com.

Download the application

As we near the closure of 2011 and our minds shift toward the beginning of a new year, we invite you to celebrate this transition at the Bay Zen Center on Wednesday, December 21st.

We ask that you bring a little something to contribute to a potluck.  In addition to a brief sitting and potluck, we’ll conduct a fire ceremony.  No music is planned, but those of you willing and able are welcome to bring an instrument to play as we enjoy each other’s company. Everyone is invited to bring guests, friends, and children.

The schedule is as follows:

Short sitting: 6:00-6:20
Fire ceremony outside:   6:25-6:55(ish)
Potluck:  7-8/8:30

The Bay Zen Center will be closed for the winter recess beginning Sunday, December 18 through Tuesday, January 3. We will re-open Wednesday January 4.

Please refer to our calendar for a full and detailed schedule.