All posts by Laurie Senauke

Laurie started formal Zen practice in 1980 at San Francisco Zen Center; she worked at Greens restaurant back in the day, and lived at Tassajara for three years. In 1989 she married Hozan Alan Senauke, moved to Berkeley Zen Center, and raised their two children. After several years of intense focus on child-rearing, she gradually returned to more involvement in formal practice. She served as head student (shuso) at BZC in 2003 and received lay recognition in 2006. In April 2018, she received priest ordination from Daito Steven Weintraub as Kosei Nyokai – Radiant Vow, Suchness Ocean. In Fall 2018 she served as shuso at Tassajara. She practices hypnotherapy and has been co-leading “Write What You Don’t Know” retreats at San Francisco Zen Center.

Coming of Age Program Starts Fall 2025

The 2025 – 2026 program will begin in September and is open to those who will be in 7th or 8th grade.  Watch this space at the beginning of Mary for details.  Here’s the general shape of the program: 

Berkeley Zen Center is pleased to offer a coming of age program for children between the ages of 12-14.  Teachings will include meditation instruction, orientation to the basic functioning of a buddhist temple, and the tenants of the 4 noble truths and the eight-fold path. We will celebrate what we have all experienced at the conclusion of this program with a half day meditation retreat that will welcome family to attend. It is our hope that it will provide the participating youth with a chance to reflect together on their experiences as they begin to face more complexity in their lives, socially, ethically, and personally.

We understand that there are many competing activities on children’s schedules these days, especially on weekends. If you anticipate that your child will need to miss more than two of our meetings, this program may not be a good fit.

A donation of $500 per child is requested, however no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. You are welcome to contact us if you would like to discuss this further.

If you have any questions about our program, please contact the program coordinator, Marie Hopper, at marie_hopper@sbcglobal.net

Rohatsu Sesshin 2024

Our annual 7-day Rohatsu Sesshin begins Monday, December 2nd and ends on Sunday, December 8th. Partial attendance is possible, with a three-day minimum. Visiting-Teachers-in-Residence Linda Galijan and Greg Fain will lead the sesshin.

During sesshin the zendo will be open to sesshin participants only. If you are not in sesshin, you’re invited to join us in the online zendo for the lecture daily at 10:15 and for 9:30am zazen on Saturday Dec 7th.