The Jewel Mirror Samadhi
The Spring 2025 Practice Period at Green Gulch Farm is an opportunity for beginning and experienced students to participate with others in an intense period of residential practice that centers around daily zazen, study, work, and regular one-on-one meetings with the teacher of the practice period. Weekly events include lectures, formal ceremonies, classes, oryoki meals (formal meals in the meditation hall), and gatherings with the teacher. Participants commit to stay in the Green Gulch valley during the entire six weeks.
This practice period will include a formal five-day March sesshin and conclude with a seven-day April sesshin to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday, with the leader of the practice period, visiting teacher Kokyo Henkel.
During this Practice Period we will thoroughly investigate the Jewel Mirror Samadhi through study, discussion, and meditation. This essential meditation practice of our Zen lineage, as expressed in the poem attributed to ninth-century ancestor Dongshan Liangjie, encourages us to sit as if "facing a jewel-mirror," and to verify that though "you are not (the mirror), in truth it is you."
To Apply:
Students who are accepted into practice period generally will have already participated in at least one all-day sit, sesshin, and/or a guest student stay at Green Gulch. If you do not have prior experience with Zen practice, we strongly suggest completing a one-day sit or sesshin at Green Gulch before applying for the practice period. If you have questions about the practice period and aren't sure if applying is right for you based on your practice experience, please contact the Abbot's assistant at ggfabbotassist@sfzc.org before applying.
Please review the Practice Period Guidelines/Shingi before submitting your application.
Complete and submit a practice period application by the application deadline of December 26, 2024.
The Practice Period Applications Committee will notify applicants as to whether they have been accepted to the practice period by mid-January 2025. If you need to be notified about your acceptance earlier than mid-January (for your planning purposes), please email ggfabbotassist@sfzc.org and let us know. For questions or more information, contact Abbot’s Assistant at ggfabbotassist@sfzc.org.
- Non-refundable application fee: $30 (this fee is paid while filling out the application).
- Practice period fee: $1700 for shared room, $2100 for single room as available. This fee is paid after acceptance through application. The notice of acceptance to the practice period will be accompanied by information on paying the fee.
- $400 of this fee is non-refundable when canceling less than 2 weeks prior to the start of the practice period.
San Francisco Zen Center is committed to making Zen practice and the Dharma accessible to all who seek it by offering both a General support fund and a dedicated BIPOC support fund. After your application has been accepted, please email supportfunds@sfzc.org to request financial support.
Please review and follow the current Health and Safety Requirements.
