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.

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.

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

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

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

Please refer to our calendar for a detailed schedule.

• February 28-March 4 (5 days)
• July 24-29 (5 days)
• November 13-18 (5 days)

European Sesshin Dates are:

• Rome, Italy April 11-15 (5 days)

Complete details along with the application can be found on our Sesshin Page.

Those registered for the Way of the Bodhisattva class and not attending sesshin may come to the center for the final class on Saturday November 12. You may enter the center at 10:45 AM. Please maintain the silence.

Our regular schedule will resume on Monday November 14. Refer to our calendar for the most updated schedule.

Welcoming Baby Sylvie Hummingbird into the Sangha

We recently had a baby welcoming ceremony at BZC to welcome our 10 week old daughter Sylvie into the dharma. One of the things that has stuck with me the most from what Diane said during the ceremony is that Sylvie is on a path that started long ago.   As her mother I feel relief when I remember this.  It is a reminder that Sylvie’s path is her own, born of many conditions that started long before her birth. Her father and I are a big part of the conditions on her path, but it’s not all up to us.

There are many other conditions and forces both seen and unseen that will shape who she is and how her life reveals itself. Inseparable from welcoming Sylvie into the dharma is welcoming my husband Chris and me into the dharma of parenting.

Parenting is a most difficult practice – having a baby is like having a Zen master in the house!  My tendency to worry and fret has blossomed after giving birth to her.

“What if” can be a chronic thinking pattern when it comes to all the dangers my child might meet in her life and all the ways I might fall short as a parent.  When I am reminded that Sylvie has her own path in life I recognize that it is my practice to simply do my best to support her and continue to learn to trust life’s unfolding.

Diane gave Sylvie the dharma name Hummingbird, which is also one of the middle names we gave to Sylvie.  Diane told a story of the hummingbird who does her best to put out a forest fire that was endangering the lives of many animals.  She did it drop by little drop of water — all that she could carry in her tiny bill.

This is a beautiful image of practice that I hold as a parent and that I hope Sylvie will learn from.

Diane Eshin Rizzetto, Teacher

5 Saturdays, 11am – 1pm

October 15 – November 12, 2011

Please Join Us

Although written as early as the eighth-century by the Indian sage, Shantideva, the Way of the Bodhisattva is remarkably relevant for our 21st century. This treasured teaching offers guidance for cultivating courage, caring and joy—all keys for healing ourselves and our troubled world.

Basing our discussions on Pema Chodron’s text, No Time to Lose; A Timely Guide to the Way of the Bodhisattva, the format of the class will be a seminar whereby we explore in a meaningful way the verses of this profoundly rich teaching.

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.

Cost: $120 non-members; $60 members

Please complete the registration form  and mail with your check to the Bay Zen Center. Please write “Bodhisattva Way Class” on the envelope.

Registration deadline is October 8th. Apply early since space is limited.