Dharma Heart Zen
August Sangha News
Announcements
No Bodhisattva Precepts Study this month
Next meeting is Tuesday, September 16
More Information
Sangha Way Seeking Mind Talks:
August 5 - Cherie & Laura
Practicing in Nature
Sunday, August 3
9:00am-2:30pm
Ragle Ranch
More Information
Dharma Heart Zen Study and Practice Focus
Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy and Liberation
Resources:
The Heart of Buddha’s Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation
by Thich Nhat Hanh
A pdf version of the book is available here
These core teachings show us the connection between personal inner peace and peace on earth. Taking refuge in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, we continue on together - endlessly in these long summer days.
August Dharma Talks posted soon
For general information about weekly sittings and other offerings,
see Dharma Heart Zen Offerings
Practice News
Practicing in Nature
Sunday, August 3
9:00am - 2:30 pm
Ragle Ranch Park, Sebastopol
More information
Twinberry Honeysuckle, Lonicera involucrata
photo by Gretchen Paradis
Lay Entrustment Ceremony of Chelsea True
Meikyo Kogen
Luminous Mirror, Ancient Source
Tuesday, August 12
5:00 - 6:30 pm PT
More information
More Dharma Heart Zen Practice Retreats and Dharma Events
September 7: All-day Sitting and Full Moon Bodhisattva Ceremony
September 25-28: Chris officiates Raizelah Bayen's Shukke Tokudo Priest Ordination Ceremony, Red Cedar Zen, Bellingham WA. Everyone is invited to sit the retreat.
October 12: All-day Sitting with Opening of 2025 Practice Period and Shuso Entering Ceremony
November 9: All-day Sitting
December 8-9: Buddha’s Enlightenment Retreat with Hossenshiki Shuso Ceremony and Closing of Practice Period
December 28 - January 2: Tassajara Wildland Firefighter Retreat
These events are also listed on the Dharma Heart Zen Upcoming Events page and Calendar
Engaged Buddhism:
Practicing in the World
Resources and ways to engage and help
Responding with Clarity and Compassion
Dharma Heart Zen is curating a list of resources and engaged actions to help us respond with bodhisattva hearts and minds to the suffering and chaos that is unfolding in our government and in the world.
Please visit the Engaged Buddhism page and join in as you can.
It is updated regularly. You can also look for the dharma wheel symbol on the Dharma Heart Zen homepage to access the Engaged Buddhism page.
Offering Love and Care Through Jizo
I have started a project with the support of Chris and friends, making clay Jizos for all the children that have been killed in Gaza these last two years.
Jizo is the fearless bodhisattva that is known especially for helping children. At this moment, there are approximately 17,000 children that have lost their lives in this war.
If you would like to join in, please contact me at thecolourofqi@gmail.com, and I will be in touch with times to gather tat my home in Sebastopol.
~ Deep bows, Cherie Lippard
The Interfaith Public Fast in Support and Witness of the Migrant Community of Sonoma County on July 2, 2025 was a beautiful, meaningful, and energizing day.
See photos of the concluding gathering of the fast. Many Dharma Heart Zen sangha members participated.
Almas Libres, Sanctuary Coalition of Sonoma County, Raizes Collective, and county Sanctuary congregations are organizing a Hunger Strike starting Tuesday August 5, in front of the Board of Supervisors building to encourage the Board of Supervisors to adopt a county Sanctuary ordinance.
Many county religious-affiliated organizations are participating visibly. Chris will be there representing Dharma Heart Zen. It would be great to see you there.
Hunger Strike
August 5-12, 24/7
County Board of Supervisors building
575 Administration, Santa Rosa
The Way In
A shadow of lavender patterns this page
with images of small birds’ wings.
Where do I attend: bloodstream, heartbeat?
The way in wavers, no compass
shows where to arrive.
I make a beeline for meaning
in turbulent life
one day to next;
inhale the world, exhale these words.
Blue jays now coming to feed,
land in redwoods|
anchoring our canyon.
How can I land without leaving,
make meaning of being?
All that matters is crafted in flesh
breaking open again, we are destined to
rapture in the day’s smallest tasks -
one gesture to fill the void.
I arrive everywhere I find paradise,
let breath roll into me,
fill me with reason.
Perhaps if I open slowly,
a small bird will fly out of me.
~ Deborah Dallinger