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.
- Board Meeting
9:00 am – 11:00 am, Sun, May 19, 2024 - WSM Talk: Sue Oehser
8:00 am – 9:00 am, Mon, May 20, 2024 - Drop-in Sitting and Study
7:10 pm – 9:00 pm, Wed, May 22, 2024 - Practice Period Class: Seeing One Thing Through
7:15 pm – 8:45 pm, Thu, May 23, 2024 - Bodhisattva Ceremony
9:30 am – 10:30 am, Sat, May 25, 2024 - Dharma Talk: Mary Duryee
10:15 am – 11:15 am, Sat, May 25, 2024 - All-Sangha Budget Meeting
7:15 pm – 8:45 pm, Sun, May 26, 2024 - Zendo Holiday
All day, Mon, May 27, 2024 - Dharma Talk: Abbot Hozan
10:15 am – 11:15 am, Sat, Jun 1, 2024 - Sangha Work Day
All day, Sun, Jun 2, 2024 - WSM Talk: Judy Fleischman
8:00 am – 9:00 am, Mon, Jun 3, 2024 - Founders’ Ceremony
7:00 am – 8:00 am, Fri, Jun 7, 2024
Recent News
A Soto Zen practice place led by Hozan Alan Senauke and 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.