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Practice Period Talks

An ango (安居), or kessei (結制), is a Japanese term for a three-month period of intense training for students of Zen Buddhism, lasting anywhere from 90 to 100 days. The practice during ango consists of meditation (zazen), study, and work (samu (作務)).

Ango is typically held twice a year, the first period from spring to summer and the second period from fall to winter. The word ango literally translates as "dwelling in peace"; the summer ango is referred to as ge-ango (夏安居) or u-ango (雨安居) and the winter period is referred to as tō-ango (冬安居) or setsu-ango (雪安居). Additionally, some monasteries and Zen centers hold just one ango per year.

Concerning Zen practice in the United States, author Ellen Birx writes,

Many centers now allow members to attend retreats on a part-time basis. Many have ango, a three-month-long period of intensified practice, that members can participate in while continuing to go off to work during the day." Taigen Dan Leighton writes a more traditional definition, "These are ninety-day training periods of concentrated practice without leaving the monastic enclosure (except for monks going out for necessary temple business). They date back to the summer rainy season retreats of Shakyamuni's time. In Japan, they have been held twice a year, summer and winter."

From Ango on Wikipedia

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Title	Speaker	Date
Holding It All Jisho Lisa Beth Hoffman, in this Queer Pride weekend talk, asks “How do we practice so the poignant truth of impermanence deepens our experience of ‘just this’ – the life and... Sangha, Practice Period, Tassajara	Jisho Lisa Beth Hoffman	Jun 27 2026 City Center
Sitting Zazen—Whole & Complete Without Striving Nyokai Kristin Diggs talks about the difference between the zazen of Soto Zen and styles of sitting practice that aim at attaining an ideal or special state of mind. Zazen, Practice Period	Nyokai Kristin Diggs	May 23 2026 City Center
Mindfulness and the Path to Liberation The talk discusses the significance of the Platform Sutra in Zen practice, highlighting its role in the exploration of sudden versus gradual enlightenment and the inherent purity of the mind. The... Suffering, Bodhidharma, Practice Period, Suffering, Bodhidharma, Practice Period...	Gengyoko Tim Wicks	May 02 2026 City Center
Nothing Lacking, Continuous Practice Gendo Lucy Xiao 玄道 explores the theme of the Spring Practice Period and explores the relationship between “nothing lacking” and “continuous practice”. Practice Period, Continuous Practice	Gendo Lucy Xiao 玄道	Apr 29 2026 City Center
No Body – No Life Kiku Christina Lehnherr teaches that cultivating generosity, patience, tolerance, compassion, gentleness and steadfastness are essential to create, and be in intimate relationship with our body.... Practice Period	Kiku Christina Lehnherr	Apr 26 2026 Green Gulch Farm
Cultivating Buddha Body – Buddha Mind Kiku Christina Lehnherr teachers that our bodies are essential: They do not need words, they have no problem encompassing our whole unfathomable being and housing all aspects of it. They know in the... Practice Period	Kiku Christina Lehnherr	Mar 27 2026 City Center
Our Relationship with Forms Hokyo Lorenzo Garbo examines how the many ritual forms of Zen—such as bows and daily gestures—become transformative when practiced with awareness, evolving from prescribed actions into... Practice Period	Hokyo Lorenzo Garbo	Mar 23 2026 City Center
Listening to the Body Hokyo Lorenzo Garbo explores the challenge of truly listening to the body, distinguishing between simply directing attention to bodily sensations with the thinking mind and allowing the body’s... Practice Period	Hokyo Lorenzo Garbo	Mar 11 2026 City Center
On Presence Hokyo Lorenzo Garbo reflects on full presence as direct, embodied, moment-to-moment awareness beyond judgment or self-narrative, illustrated by a wordless encounter with a newborn and cultivated... Practice Period	Hokyo Lorenzo Garbo	Feb 25 2026 City Center
Expectations Hokyo Lorenzo Garbo explores how lifelong, internalized expectations—shaped by personal history and conditioning—distort perception and create suffering by separating us from present-... Practice Period	Hokyo Lorenzo Garbo	Feb 20 2026 City Center
Disentangling Karma Hokyo Lorenzo Garbo unpacks the shuso’s way-seking mind by framing practice as an everyday exercise of holding internal conflict without fixing it, allowing harmony to arise naturally, and... Practice Period	Hokyo Lorenzo Garbo	Jan 28 2026 City Center
Cultivating Intimacy With Our Body Kiku Christina Lehnherr explores how the body is completely and inseparably intertwined and interconnected with the mind and with everything in this universe, and how the practice of slowing down a... Practice Period	Kiku Christina Lehnherr	Jan 24 2026 City Center
Tasting Reality 11/09/2025, Thiemo Blank, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Waking up to the realty of hosting our lives. Thiemo uses the awarded kids' story "We are in a Book" to playfully teach... Practice Period	Thiemo Blank	Nov 09 2025 Green Gulch Farm
Suzuki Roshi's Legacy and Our Path of Practice Serial: SF-12392 Talk by Sessei Meg Levie at Green Gulch Farm on 2025-10-26 Practice Period, Japan, Suzuki Roshi	Sessei Meg Levie	Oct 26 2025 Green Gulch Farm
Here But Not Yet Ready Serial: SF-12408 Koji Vanessa Able asks: What is true readiness and how can we respond when we just don’t feel ready for a change or a challenge? What can practice teach us about showing... Shuso, Practice Period, Ceremony	Koji Vanessa Able	Oct 22 2025 City Center
Perception and Practice Serial: SF-12433 Talk by Eli Brown Stevenson at Green Gulch Farm on 2025-10-12 Practice Period, Impermanence, Suzuki Roshi	So-on Eli Brown-Stevenson	Oct 12 2025 Green Gulch Farm
The Power of Non-Retaliation Serial: SF-12390 Talk by Shosan Victoria Austin at City Center on 2025-10-11 Practice Period, Sangha	Shosan Victoria Austin	Oct 11 2025 City Center
Shuso Entering Ceremony Practice Period, Shuso, Sangha	Koji Vanessa Able	Oct 08 2025 City Center
Practice Period Orientation Practice Period, Zazen	Various	Oct 01 2025 City Center
Samantabhadra and Blanche Hartman Serial: SF-12452 Shosan Victoria Austin and Mary Mocine speak about Blanche Hartman and Zen sewing, and conduct an eye-opening ceremony for a statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva in the SFZC... Samantabhadra, Bodhisattva, Practice Period	Shosan Victoria Austin, Mary Mocine	Sep 03 2025 City Center
Bearing Witness to the Tension in Our Life Serial: SF-12440 08/23/2025, Myles Cowherd, dharma talk at City Center. Myles Cowherd explores the transformative power of sincerity and acceptance as a counterpoint to a life of... Suzuki Roshi, Practice Period, Shosan	Myles Cowherd	Aug 23 2025 City Center
Bearing Witness to the Tension in Our Life Serial: SF-12482 08/23/2025, Myles Cowherd, dharma talk at City Center. Myles Cowherd explores the transformative power of sincerity and acceptance as a counterpoint to a life of... Suzuki Roshi, Zazen, Practice Period	Myles Cowherd	Aug 23 2025 City Center
Bearing Witness to the Tension in Our Life Serial: SF-12375 08/23/2025, Myles Cowherd, dharma talk at City Center. Myles Cowherd explores the transformative power of sincerity and acceptance as a counterpoint to a life of... Suzuki Roshi, Practice Period	Myles Cowherd	Aug 23 2025 City Center
Not Disregarding a Single Thing Serial: SF-07265 06/22/2025, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. As senior dharma teacher Linda Ruth Cutts prepares to move from Green Gulch and SFZC residency after 54... Practice Period	Eijun Linda Cutts	Jun 22 2025 Green Gulch Farm
Embracing Impermanence Through Zen Practice Serial: SF-08192 Talk by Hiro Ikushima at City Center on 2025-04-09 Practice Period	Hiro Ikushima	Apr 09 2025 City Center
Like a Fool, Like an Idiot Serial: SF-08181 04/06/2025, Kokyo Henkel, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Kokyo Henkel concludes sesshin and a 6-week study of Zen Ancestor Dongshan's "Song of the Jewel Mirror... Practice Period, Dongshan, Buddha's Birthday	Kokyo Henkel	Apr 06 2025 Green Gulch Farm
Zen Cooking: Practice in Every Meal Serial: SF-08082 Talk by Judith Keenan at City Center on 2025-03-19 Practice Period	Judith Keenan	Mar 19 2025 City Center
Dogen in the Western Zen Kitchen Serial: SF-08139 03/08/2025, Zenki Mary Mocine, dharma talk at City Center. Zenki Mary Mocine speaks about Eihei Dogen Zenji’s text “Tenzo Kyokun (Instruction to the Cook)” as part of the... Practice Period	Mary Mocine	Mar 08 2025 City Center
Whole-Hearted, Open-Hearted Serial: SF-08130 01/08/2025, Shundo David Haye, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, Shundo reflects on the qualities that practice can imbue us with, which are much needed in the... Suzuki Roshi, Practice Period, New Year	Shundo David Haye	Jan 08 2025 City Center
Silent Path to Everyday Enlightenment Serial: SF-08423 Talk by Gengyoko Tim Wicks at City Center on 2024-12-06 Practice Period	Gengyoko Tim Wicks	Dec 06 2024 City Center
Finding Freedom Serial: SF-08460 11/20/2024, Jisan Tova Green, dharma talk at City Center. In this dharma talk by Fall 2024 practice period co-leader Jisan Tova Green, Tova investigates how it's possible... Practice Period	Jisan Tova Green	Nov 20 2024 City Center
Restful Freedom for Collective Awakening Serial: SF-08667 Talk by Jisan Tova Green at City Center on 2024-11-20 Practice Period	Jisan Tova Green	Nov 20 2024 City Center
The Temple is Where You Are Serial: SF-08319 11/06/2024, Gengyoko Tim Wicks, dharma talk at City Center. This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by tanto (head of practice) and practice period co-leader... Practice Period	Gengyoko Tim Wicks	Nov 06 2024 City Center
Sacred Presence in Everyday Life Serial: SF-08635 Talk by Gengyoko Tim Wicks at City Center on 2024-11-06 Practice Period	Gengyoko Tim Wicks	Nov 06 2024 City Center
Welcoming All Serial: SF-08449 10/23/2024, So-on Eli Brown-Stevenson, dharma talk at City Center. This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple by Fall 2024 Practice Period co-leader So-on Eli... Practice Period, Suzuki Roshi	So-on Eli Brown-Stevenson	Oct 23 2024 City Center
Welcoming Awareness in Zen Practice Serial: SF-08653 Talk by Eli Brown Stevenson at City Center on 2024-10-23 Practice Period, Zazen	So-on Eli Brown-Stevenson	Oct 23 2024 City Center
Heroic Bodhisattva Goes To Practice Period Serial: SF-08292 10/20/2024, Eijun Linda Cutts, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. Linda explores how the mind of a Bodhisattva is able to meet the challenges of our lives, and celebrates the... Practice Period, Bodhisattva, Ceremony	Eijun Linda Cutts	Oct 20 2024 Green Gulch Farm
Wu-tsu's Buffalo Passes Through the Window Serial: SF-08474 10/19/2024, Gengyoko Tim Wicks, dharma talk at City Center. This dharma talk was given at Beginner’s Mind Temple’s October one-day sitting held at Unity Church, by tanto... Practice Period, Study	Gengyoko Tim Wicks	Oct 19 2024 City Center
Zen Community: Living the Practice Serial: SF-08282 Talk by Nancy Petrin at Tassajara on 2024-07-13 Suzuki Roshi, Practice Period	Horin Nancy Petrin	Jul 13 2024 Tassajara
Navigating Not-Knowing Horin Nancy Petrin talks about the new Zen-Inspired Senior Living Facility, Enso Village, and about ageing as a practice. Suzuki Roshi, Zazen, Practice Period	Horin Nancy Petrin	Jul 13 2024 Tassajara
Awakening Through Present-Moment Awareness Serial: SF-08284 Talk by Paul Haller at City Center on 2024-05-25 Practice Period, Zazen	Ryushin Paul Haller	May 25 2024 City Center
Embracing Practice: Growth Through Vulnerability Serial: SF-08678 Talk by Paul Haller at City Center on 2024-05-25 Zazen, Heart Sutra, Practice Period	Ryushin Paul Haller	May 25 2024 City Center
Awakening Through Sensory Awareness Serial: SF-08475 Talk by Paul Haller at City Center on 2024-05-25 Practice Period, Zazen	Ryushin Paul Haller	May 25 2024 City Center
Awakening Through Sensory Awareness Serial: SF-08666 Talk by Paul Haller at City Center on 2024-05-25 Practice Period, Zazen	Ryushin Paul Haller	May 25 2024 City Center
Resting: A Spiritual Practice Serial: SF-08332 04/20/2024, Kiku Christina Lehnherr, dharma talk at City Center. In this talk, given at Beginner's Mind Temple, Kiku Christina Lehnherr discusses the dharma implications... Practice Period	Kiku Christina Lehnherr	Apr 20 2024 City Center
Welcoming Each Moment Fully Alive Serial: SF-08234 Talk by Jiryu Rutschman Byler at Green Gulch Farm on 2024-03-17 Practice Period, Suzuki Roshi	Jiryu Rutschman-Byler	Mar 17 2024 Green Gulch Farm
Harry Potter Zen Serial: SF-08244 03/03/2024, Thiemo Blank, dharma talk at Green Gulch Farm. In this talk Thiemo Blank uses a scene from "Harry Potter" to playfully teach about penetrating the "Walls" in our... Practice Period	Thiemo Blank	Mar 03 2024 Green Gulch Farm
Trusting the Mind Beyond Walls Serial: SF-08572 Talk by Thiemo Blank at Green Gulch Farm on 2024-03-03 Zazen, Buddha Mind, Practice Period	Thiemo Blank	Mar 03 2024 Green Gulch Farm
Shingi Discussion Serial: SF-08652 Talk by Doshin Mako Voelkel Shingi at City Center on 2024-01-31 Practice Period, Community, Shingi	Dōshin Mako Voelkel	Jan 31 2024 City Center
Exploring Conditions and Consequences of Ethical Beliefs Serial: SF-08358 In this talk, given during the first one-day sitting of the winter 2024 practice period, Abiding Abbot Dōshin Mako Voelkel discusses the sources and outcomes of the many... Zazen, Practice Period	Dōshin Mako Voelkel	Jan 27 2024 City Center

Practice Period Talks

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