Zazenkai Series, CC 10/9–11/20

Zazenkai (literally a gathering for zazen — seated meditation) sits between ordinary daily practice and sesshin, the multi-day intensive. It is a dedicated sitting period, here a half-day, held with what the description calls “minimal traditional formalities.” In practical terms that means a simpler morning in the zendo rather than the full ritual structure of a retreat, and since the sittings are Friday mornings, there is no overnight component.

There is no named teacher for this series. The mornings are led by senior students of the center — experienced long-term practitioners rather than an assigned or visiting teacher — which is a common shape for zazenkai and keeps the format simple. A detailed schedule (how many sitting periods, breaks, service) has not been published, so contact the center if those specifics matter to you.

The practical details

• When: Friday mornings, October 9 through November 20, 2026
• Where: the zendo at City Center — note that this listing is filed under Green Gulch Farm, but both the event title (“CC”) and the description specify City Center, so confirm the location when you register
• Cost: $12
• Leadership: senior students of the center; no named teacher is listed
• Level: the description explicitly welcomes both beginners and experienced sitters

Because the commitment is a single morning at modest cost, this is a low-friction way to sit within the Soto Zen forms of the San Francisco Zen Center network without signing up for a multi-day retreat. For someone new to practice, the explicit welcome to beginners makes it a reasonable first visit to a zendo; for someone who already sits regularly, it offers a structured weekly morning to build around.