18th Annual Fall Practice Period
October 11 - December 6 2026
The 2026 Fall Dharma Heart Zen Practice Period opens October 11!
Please submit a Practice Period Application form by October 5.
THEME
The Way of Heart is All-Embracing
Core Text: Trusting the Mind by Seng Ts’an
‘Trusting the Mind,’ the Hsin Hsin Ming, is an essential Zen text authored by sixth-century Chan/Zen Patriarch Seng Ts’an. The poem of epigrams reveals ‘Heart-Mind’ (Hsin) as already vast and clear, with each thing existing only in interrelationship with other things. It will be our guide throughout Practice Period, in our daily lives and as Bodhisattva activity.
It begins:
The Way isn’t hard to find
just avoid choosing
Trusting The Mind: Zen Epigrams, by Seng Ts’an translated by Red Pine.
Faith In Mind, by Master Shen-Yen, Terebes Asia Online.
Trust In The Mind: The Rebellion of Chinese Zen, by Mu Soeng.
THE SHUSO
A senior practitioner from the sangha serves as Shuso (Head Student). The Shuso offers inspiration and guidance and is a central point of connection for the Practice Period, and the mutuality of deeply sharing our practice lives together encourages us all.
The Shuso for this year’s Practice Period will be:
Cherie Goodwin Lippard
Yushin Sho Kaku
Gentle Heart Shining Awakening
Cherie Lippard has been a long time Dharma Heart Zen practitioner and has explored a spiritual path since her early years. Teaching medical qigong for the last 16 years, she finds great joy in the interrelationship between qigong and the dharma.
Cherie's interests include the creative process and its healing capacity, with a special focus the last 30 years on Lazure Painting in the Waldorf Schools. She was a part of the original team for the Ceres Community Project and is now overseeing the Jizo Peace Project. Above all, her most meaningful role in life is that of a mother....it has been the greatest joy and love beyond measure.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
We ask that each person complete a Practice Period Application. The request is that they be completed by October 5.
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.
We ask each member of the Practice Period make a personal commitment to deepen your practice in whatever way you choose, not as a demand or ‘should’ but as a response to an inner ‘yes.’
This might include more sitting at home, more study or reading, work on a particular practice theme in daily life, or some appropriate personal shift in lifestyle. 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.
CORE EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Schedule
Please note: It is not necessary to come to all of the events to participate in the Practice Period. If you live locally, please attend in- person as often as you are able. Especially important are Opening and Closing Ceremonies, weekly sangha meetings on the dates that the Shuso will be leading, all-day sittings, participation with Practice Period Partners, teas with the Shuso, and Buddha’s Enlightenment Retreat.
The Entering Ceremony: Sunday, October 11: 9:00-9:45 am PT, at the beginning of the All-day Sitting at OPEN SKY (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, kinhin, dharma talk, and small group discussions.
There is a special effort to attend when the Shuso is teaching; dates TBAPractice Partner Meetings: Structured conversations with Practice Partners provide support and are an opportunity to deepen sangha relationships over the course of the Practice Period.
All-Sangha Tea
Shuso Hossenshiki (Dharma Inquiry) and Closing Ceremony
PRACTICE PERIOD DANA
Suggested dana for the Practice Period this year is $100-200. Together we are supporting our guiding teacher Chris and our sangha, Dharma Heart Zen. Contributions are voluntary and no one is ever turned away... we are all practicing together for the benefit of all beings. Deep bows and many thanks for your support - ways to give.
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.