Practice Period
About Our Practice Period
The Heart of Compassion Practice Period is an opportunity to come together with other Sangha members and deepen your practice with an individually designed schedule supported by a variety of Dharma teachings and peer-to-peer Sangha dialogue.
The 2026 Practice Period will be led by Patricia Starr, Heizan Shindo “Peaceful Mountain -Careful Way.” She is a longtime student of Zen, and a gifted Yoga and Metta Meditation Teacher. Supported by her leadership, we will study Shantideva’s teachings in a contemporary commentary, No Time To Lose: A Timely Guide To The Way of the Bodhisattva, written by Great Tibetan Meditation Teacher, Pema Chodron.
As a participant, you will design and commit to a schedule that works within your daily life. This seven-week period is meant as an invitation to open your life to the richness of focused spiritual practice. Please join us!
Special Events
Shuso Hossen Entering Ceremony
September 4 online
8 - 10 am (special 2 hours)
Hossenshiki
October 25 in person at Green Gulch Farm
Sign up period: August 1 - August 25, 2026
Please complete the Enrollment Questionnaire, below, by August 25th so that we can assign practice partners and prepare for the opening of the practice period.
The Role of the Shuso
Shuso is a formal position in Zen training communities that dates back at least as far as 1103 in China.
Dogen's description of shuso is that it is a temporary position, held both as a initiary role and as a time for a senior student to polish their practice in full view of the community.
The job of shuso is one of support and encouragement most of all, and primarily teaches by example. It is a position of responsibility but not authority. Shuso is an assistant to her teachers. Shuso works to find a balance of courtesy and kindness when giving and receiving directions and corrections.
Bowing is the heart of this role. Mistakes are inevitable. How to step forward, how to step back? The role is subtle, challenging and shifts beneath one's feet.
Grace, humility and willingness is key to shuso's practice.
Enrollment Questionnaire