In last month’s newsletter I described the revised Wellness Protocol, particularly recommendations on how we would deal with illness during sesshin. Little did I know that I would be the first case study. I began to cough and sneeze a little on day one of Rohatsu, but thought it was allergies. By day two the coughing got worse and I got laryngitis. I was very busy that day shopping and getting ready to be head cook the following day. When I spoke with Sojun, he suggested that I leave sesshin. “But who will cook tomorrow?” I argued. Hozan, who was also present, said, “You need to follow your own guidelines and stay home.” Then he volunteered to take over as head cook, so I left sesshin. I got much worse by the next day and developed full-blown flu symptoms. I rested and was quiet at home during the rest of sesshin and felt much better after five days of rest and taking care of myself. Take-home message: If you are ill during sesshin, it REALLY is better to stay home and take care of yourself.
- All-Sangha Budget Meeting
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Sun, Apr 27, 2025 - Way Seeking Mind Talk: Kurt Kowalski
8:00 am – 8:30 am, Mon, Apr 28, 2025 - Teacher Entering Ceremony
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Fri, May 2, 2025 - Open PP One-Day Sitting
5:00 am – 5:30 pm, Sat, May 3, 2025 - Dharma Talk: Linda Galijan
10:15 am – 11:15 am, Sat, May 3, 2025 - Shuso's WSM Talk: Mark Copithorne
8:00 am – 8:30 am, Mon, May 5, 2025 - Lotus Sutra Class
7:15 pm – 8:30 pm, Thu, May 8, 2025 - Zazen Refresher
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Fri, May 9, 2025 - Dharma Talk: Rev. Ryuei Michael McCormick
10:15 am – 11:15 am, Sat, May 10, 2025 - Way Seeking Mind Talk: Clay Taylor
8:00 am – 8:30 am, Mon, May 12, 2025 - Dharma Talk: Shuso Mark Copithorne
10:15 am – 11:15 am, Sat, May 17, 2025 - Way Seeking Mind Talk: Gensan Kristopher Thomson
8:00 am – 8:30 am, Mon, May 19, 2025
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A Soto Zen practice place founded by Shunryu Suzuki and Sojun Mel Weitsman
Affirmation of Welcome
Walking the path of liberation, we express our intimate connection with all beings. Berkeley Zen Center is a sangha of Buddhist practitioners drawing from the Bay Area’s many spiritual and cultural communities. Just as Shakyamuni Buddha welcomed people of all backgrounds to practice, here at BZC our activities embrace diversity, and are available to people of every color, every way of life and ethnic background, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, and ability. May all beings practice in safety and equality, realizing our true nature.