Annual Fall Practice Period
October 13 - December 8 2024
Generating Compassion and Resilience

Keep up to date with Practice Period Study Information on the
SANGHA NEWS WEBPAGE

The annual fall practice period has become an important event in the life of the sangha, as we come together to affirm and deepen our practice. This is the fifteenth annual Practice Period!

The Practice Period this year will be hybrid, in-person and Zoom. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join in.

_________________________________

WHAT IS A PRACTICE PERIOD?

Practice Period is a special time set aside each year, when the sangha makes personal and collective commitments to intensify and deepen their practice of the Bodhisattva way in everyday life.

It is an opportunity focused on our intention and interactions in the world… in zazen, relationships, at home, work, study, in the care of self and other, and for all beings.

The Practice Period depends on the integrity of each individual’s personal commitment, as well as the strength of our shared intention and mutual support as we deepen and cultivate the sangha body together. Those who have participated in the Practice Period over the years know it can be a source of support and renewal throughout the year. Seasoned practitioners and those new to Dharma Heart Zen are encouraged to participate.  

We ask that each person complete a Practice Period Commitment Form (link below) as an expression of intent. These forms are confidential, and the request is that we receive them by October 7.

_________________________________

THE SHUSO

A senior practitioner from the sangha serves as Shuso (Head Student). The Shuso offers inspiration and guidance and serves as a central point of connection for the Practice Period. The mutuality of deeply sharing our practice lives together serves to encourage us all. The Shuso for this year’s Practice Period will be:

Gretchen Paradis
~ Jun So Ji Kan ~
Pure Hearted Monk, Natural Generosity

Gretchen Paradis is a long-time and committed Dharma Heart Zen practitioner and sangha member and has served as doan, registrar, and tech coordinator. She has had a lifelong appreciation of the natural world, and is a Certified California Naturalist. Her wildflower photos can be found in the Dharma Heart Zen sangha newsletter and website. She is the mother of three grown children, a retired nurse, and lives with her dog Mita and cat, Kitty.   

Please note, in support of the Shuso: 
Zen Practice Periods include two important ceremonies for the Shuso: The Shuso Entering Ceremony installs the Shuso into their position, while the Practice Period culminates with the Dharma Inquiry Ceremony (Shuso Hossenshiki), during which the Shuso responds to questions from Practice Period participants. These ceremonies bookend the Practice Period in a beautiful way - please make every effort to attend.

_________________________________

THEME

The theme for this Practice Period is Training in Compassion, The Practice of Lojong.

Lojong is the Tibetan Buddhist practice of working with short phrases, called "slogans", to cultivate bodhicitta, the heart and mind of awakened compassion. Its roots trace back to 900 A.D.

Our focus, as always, will be to bring the teachings alive in our everyday lives and in our relationship to the world and all beings. Training in compassion is the path of the Bodhisattva.   

Norman Fischer’s Training in Compassion: Zen Teachings on the Practice of Lojong will be our core text. We will also use this resource from the book Seven Points and Fifty-Nine Slogans for Generating Compassion and Resilience.

PERSONAL COMMITMENT

We ask each member of the Practice Period to make a personal commitment to deepen your practice in whatever way you choose. Please use the Practice Period as a special time to devote yourself to your spiritual practice and the bodhisattva way and to attending as many of the scheduled sangha events as possible. This might include more sitting at home, more study or reading, work on a particular practice theme in daily life, or some appropriate personal alteration in lifestyle. The details will be unique from person to person - each person is simply asked to make a sincere and realistic commitment in their daily lives. This is a personal decision. Reflect on what would enrich and deepen your practice. Though Sangha practice events are essential, they do not constitute the Practice Period; they only structure it. What happens in your body, heart, and mind as you live the days, weeks, and months of the Practice Period is what is important.

Use this link for a detailed SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

CORE EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Please note: It is not necessary to come to all of the events to participate in the Practice Period. If you live locally, please do your best to attend in person. Especially important are Opening and Closing Ceremonies, weekly sangha meetings on the dates that the Susho will be leading, all-day sittings, and to participate with Practice Period Partners, tea with the Susho, and Buddha’s Enlightenment Retreat.

  • The Entering Ceremony
    Sunday, October 13: 9:00-9:45 am PT, at the beginning of the All-day Sitting (9am - 4pm). You can attend by being part of the sitting - half or full-day - or on Zoom.

  • Weekly Tuesday and Thursday Sangha with Zazen, dharma talk, and small group discussions.
    There is a special effort to attend when the Shuso is teaching:
    October 15 - Way Seeking Mind Talk
    October 24
    November 7
    November 19
    December 3
    December 5

  • Weekly Monday, Wednesday, Friday morning Zazen on Zoom: Join sangha member Debi Papazian; drop in, open to everyone.

  • Bodhisattva Precept Study with Chris and Shuso: November 12, 6:45-7:45pm PT, hybrid

  • All-day Sittings: October 13 & November 10, 9am-4pm PT, hybrid

  • Practice Partner Meetings: Structured conversations with Practice Partners provide support over the course of the Practice Period. Suggested partner meeting guidelines.

  • All-Sangha Tea: November 24, 10am-12pm PT, hybrid/Yulupa Co-housing

  • Small Teas: Small group teas with the Shuso, with 4-5 participants for 90 minutes - held both in-person and online - give everyone the opportunity to meet with the Shuso and discuss their practice in an intimate and informal setting. Sign-up details and links below.

  • Shuso Hossenshiki (Dharma Inquiry) and Closing Ceremony: December 8
    Together, the Shuso and the Practice Period sangha will bring forth the dharma, on December 8, at the conclusion of the Buddha’s Enlightenment Retreat, followed by tea and celebration. Everyone in the Practice Period is encouraged to participate. You can attend by sitting the full retreat or coming for just the ceremony, in-person or on Zoom.

Small Teas: Each tea is 90 minutes. There will be 3 meetings in-person and 3 meetings online. Please use the “SIGN UP FOR SMALL TEA” button below to sign up for ONE meeting and note your first and second choice of date and time. If planning to attend an online meeting, the link will be emailed to you after signing up, or you can use the button below to join the zoom meeting. We hope to include everyone who is interested in this intimate tea time with the Shuso.
Small Tea Dates:
Sunday, October 20, 10 - 12, Petaluma, Gretchen's house

Sunday, October 27, 10 - 12, Zoom

Monday, November 4, 5:30 - 7:00, Zoom

Wednesday November 13, 10-12, Santa Rosa, Yulupa Co-housing Library

Saturday November 16, 10-12, Sebastopol, Ellen's house

Friday November 22, 5:30 - 7:00, Zoom

HOW TO JOIN THE PRACTICE PERIOD

Applications for the Practice Period will be available Monday, September 9. 
Applications will close on Monday, October 7. Please send your application before this date! 

Use the button below to send the completed form to Susho Gretchen. You can also copy and paste the commitment form questions below and email to gretchen@sonic.net. Please bring a focused attention to completing this form - it will help you enter the Practice Period with clear intention.
You will receive a welcome and confirmation email from the Shuso, saying that your application has been received and that you are part of the Practice Period. Applications are confidential.


1. Name and birthplace

2. Address, phone, email, and best times to contact

3. Personal Circumstance; responsibilities and commitments in work, family, world, etc.

4. What intention brings you to this Practice Period?

5. Please share your history with Buddhism and practice (it will help us get to know you)

6. If you have a preferred Practice Period partner, please note (we’ll do our best to match you otherwise)

7. Events you plan to attend within the Practice Period

8. Personal commitments to deepen your practice. What is your intention during this Practice Period?

9. Comments, questions, anything else you would like us to know

________________________________

IS THERE A FEE FOR JOINING THE PRACTICE PERIOD?

Dharma Heart Zen depends on donations to offer activities in person and online. We appreciate your financial support, whatever you are able to give. We cannot offer teachings without it. Please consider making a donation of $150 or more to help with the increased costs of organizing and hosting the Practice Period and supporting the sangha.

Note: Individual events within the Practice Period may have an additional suggested donation, specific to those events.

No one is turned away for lack of funds. Donations via the Dana button below are welcomed with gratitude.

photos by Gretchen Paradis