My Calendar

Week of May 3rd

  • Open Discussion

    Open Discussion


    Mon, May 3, 2021

  • Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Judy Bertelsen

    Way-Seeking Mind Talk: Judy Bertelsen


    Fri, May 7, 2021

    There will be a way-seeking mind talk in the online zendo at the time of the usual Friday afternoon zazen:

    5:40 pm: zazen
    5:45: talk

    Way-Seeking Mind at Berkeley Zen Center

    “Way-Seeking Mind” talks by practitioners at Berkeley Zen Center have been a regular event on Monday mornings for more than thirty years. Each of us came to Zen practice as a seeker, with a spirit of inquiry. Each of us arrives at BZC from our own diverse backgrounds—social, familial, educational, religious, and so on. The idea of our way-seeking mind talks is for students to share how it is that they came to practice. Each person tells his or her own story in a unique way that often blends autobiography, spiritual biography, and the practice questions that each of us is engaged with.

    The talks are by invitation, and last about twenty-five minutes, including time for presentation and short question & answer period. For newer students, this is a chance to meet and hear those we are sitting with. Those invited to talk have been sitting steadily at BZC; for them it is an opportunity to tell their story and be seen and heard. One of the teachers or senior students is available for advice in shaping one's talk, should that be useful.

  • One-Day Sesshin/Open Practice Period

    One-Day Sesshin/Open Practice Period


    Sat, May 8, 2021

    BZC will offer this sesshin as the opening of our spring practice period. This virtual sesshin will begin at 7:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 p.m. and will include zazen, kinhin, service, a dharma talk, and a work period. Lunch will be on your own. If this will be your first sesshin or if you have questions, please contact the sesshin director at sesshindirectorbzc@gmail.com.

    Sign up link will be posted closer to the date.

    The suggested sesshin donation is $15, or whatever you can afford. Mail a check to the BZC Office Manager at 1931 Russell St., Berkeley, CA 94703, or pay through the BZC website by going to the Generosity page and clicking the “Sits/Classes” tab. Please consider a donation to Berkeley Zen Center above the suggested fee to help us maintain our practice through the current crisis.

    Lecture: Hozan Alan Senauke

    Lecture: Hozan Alan Senauke


    Sat, May 8, 2021

    Saturday Program Link (ie, Online Zendo)
        • Zendo opens:       8:30 am
        • Zazen:                      8:40 – 9:20
        • Service:                   9:20 – 9:30
        • Kinhin/break       9:30  – 9:40
        • Zazen:                      9:40 – 10:10
        • Lecture:                  10:15 – 11:15

    Meeting ID: 657 798 2914
    Passcode: bzc

    Practice Period Opening Ceremony

    Practice Period Opening Ceremony


    Sat, May 8, 2021

    Details to follow.