Our Programs
About Our Programs
In-Person Events or Online Events?
PZI is a creative organization continuously offering new programs for meditation and koan study. You will find all events along with talk topics and koans in the PZI Events Calendar.
We are mainly gathering online in the PZI Digital Temple because of plague, climate change, and general crisis and malaise. But we’re starting to offer some in-person retreats again, and will keep you posted on our Retreat Planner page.here is our most recent residential, (in-person), retreat Covid Policy. Have a question?
Join our PZI Mailing List to get announcements about retreats, special events, and the PZI Sunday Temple with John Tarrant.
How to Join Us Online or In-Person
Calendar of All PZI Events
Weekly meditation and dharma talks with PZI teachers appear online in a rotating schedule and vary each week, as listed in our PZI Events Calendar.
Here you will also find upcoming special programs, events, and short and long retreats (sesshin) with event registration info, links, or “Save the Date” notices.
How to Register
Click a “Register” link or button from our website homepage or PZI Events Calendar, and you’ll be taken to a new page with event details and the option to register.
PZI event registration includes the program fee (which in many cases is $10 or FREE) and the option to give to the teacher (dana) or to one of PZI’s donation funds. Our registration system allows you to return to the registration page multiple times should you wish to add such dana and/or donation to your total.
When you have completed registration for an online event, you receive a Zoom link for event access in your “Thank You” message and emailed receipt. Online Sesshin registration also includes a snail-mailed Welcome Packet.
When you have completed registration for an online event, you’ll receive a receipt that includes more details for attendance, or a link to additional online information.
About Dana and Donation
Your generosity helps keep our koan path opening to the world, and the mystery evolving.
Dana is a longtime tradition in spiritual communities for thanking or honoring your teacher and their teachings. Your generosity helps support all of our online meditation sessions and teacher dharma talks.
Donations may be directed towards the PZI Scholarship Fund, General Fund, and/or Community Funds.
Member Event Discounts
Meditate FREE with us online Monday through Friday mornings in the Open Temple. Our Senior students lead with koans and sometimes include poems. PZI Membership has many other benefits including discounts on all PZI events. What it means to become a PZI Member and how to join us.
Cancellation Policy
There are lots of reasons to cancel. We care about our retreats and think they are life-changing. If you’re feeling intimidated or having second thoughts, it might help to know that we’ll support you at the retreat. And we also understand that emergencies do happen and we take that into account too.
We’re working to have policies that are friendly to you and sustainable for us as a hard-working little nonprofit. You are us.
Send feedback and suggestions and we’ll read them, to [email protected].
Overnight Retreats
Registrants pay in full at the time of their registration, unless you’ve other arrangements have been made in advance. If you cancel more than 30 days ahead of the event, we’ll give you a full refund. For cancellations made from 30 to 7 days prior to the event, we’ll keep a 25% processing fee. The remainder may be applied to any other PZI event within one year. For cancellations within one week of the event, no refunds are granted.
No refunds will be made on dana donations. If you need to cancel suddenly for a serious illness or something drastic, please contact the registrar. We’ll do our best to help you out.
Day Retreats
If you cancel more than 7 days ahead of the event, we will refund you in full. If you cancel within 7 days, we’ll keep a $20 processing fee, and the rest may be applied to another event within one year. For cancellations within 48 hours, we’ll keep a 50% fee. No refunds are given less than 48 hours ahead of the event, for partial attendance, or if you do not attend.
Thanks for helping us keep these events appearing and for being a part of us.
About Our Programs
All events and their talk topics and featured koans are announced in the PZI Events Calendar and in membership emails before each session. Sign up for our PZI Mailing List to get announcements about Sunday Temple, retreats, and special events.
Online Gatherings
Sunday Temple with John Tarrant & Friends
PZI Online Temple
On Sundays the far-flung sangha gathers for John Tarrant’s meditation and dharma talk with commentary from PZI Teachers and friends. Temple musicians play music for meditation. We end with singing the Boundless Vows. Zoom etiquette encouraged. Register online and receive a Zoom link to attend. Sign up with a $10 donation to help out, or you can always attend FREE. These are generally large gatherings. 10:30 am–12:00 pm Pacific Time.
Daily Meditations in the Open Temple
PZI Online Temple
Open Temple access is FREE for PZI Members, or, when in sync with sesshin, included FREE for everyone with their retreat registration. Non-Members pay to participate and are always welcome.
The Open Temple Meditation Pass allows unlimited access to two daily morning meditation sessions in the East and West Temples, and sometimes include M-W-F in the Night Owl Temple. Sessions are hosted by PZI Leaders (senior students). A Zoom link for all sessions is delivered in your registration receipt. Join any or all sessions, whether East, West, or Night. 6–7:00 am Pacific Time, 7–8:00 am Eastern Time, & 10:30–11:30 pm Pacific Time.
Weekday Meditations & Dharma Talks with Teachers
PZI Zen Online (Next session Sept. 4 – Nov. 3)
And with Leaders! Usually 90 minutes long, meeting times vary. Zoom etiquette encouraged. You will register online and receive a Zoom link to attend. Sign up with a $10 donation to help out, or you can always attend FREE. These are generally small group meetings.
Weekday Schedule
PZI Zen Online
Every Monday: Meditation & Talk by Jon Joseph Roshi, Director of San Mateo Zen & Santa Rosa Zen Community, CA
6–7:30 pm Pacific Time
Contact Jon Joseph
Every Other Tuesday: Meditation & Talk by David Weinstein Roshi, Director of Rockridge Meditation Community Oakland Zen, CA
6—7:30 pm Pacific Time (Beginning Sept. 6, 2023)
Contact David Weinstein
Every Other Thursday: Meditation & Talk by David Parks Roshi, Director of Bluegrass Zen in Lexington, KY
4–5:30 pm Pacific Time
Contact David Parks
Long Retreats Online & In-Person
Online Sesshin
PZI Digital Temple
Online Sesshin with John Tarrant and PZI Teachers is a multi-day retreat held in the PZI Digital Temple twice a year in winter and fall. Register online and you will receive a Zoom link to access the daily Sesshin Temple.
Online Sesshin (long retreat) typically meets for 6 days and 5 nights, with Temple doors opening at 6:00 am and closing at 9:00 pm Pacific Time. The schedule is designed with both East and West Coast attendance in mind, though PZI Members and guests attend from many countries and timezones. This Sesshin includes Zoom dokusan (individual meetings with teachers), music for meditation, musical sutra services, and virtual tea.
In-Person Sesshin
Northern California
In-Person Sesshin with John Tarrant and PZI Teachers is a multi-day residential retreat currently being held in summer only at Santa Sabina Center in San Rafael, California. As Covid recedes we hope to add more annual In-Person Sesshin to our calendar.
In-Person Sesshin (long retreat) typically meets for 7 days and 6 nights, with Temple activities beginning at 4:00 am and ending at 9:00 pm. This Sesshin includes live dokusan (individual meetings with teachers), live music for meditation, musical sutra services, community meals, and tea.
Open Mind Retreats
Northern California
Open Mind Retreats are 4-day residential retreats currently held once a year in spring at the Commonweal Institute in Bolinas, CA, a beautiful place on the ocean. It has a simple feel, and wonderful local, organic, vegetarian food. John Tarrant leads these retreats, with a group of 25 or fewer. There is usually a mix of experienced meditators and complete beginners.
Short Retreats Online & In-Person
Online 1 & 2-Day Non-Residential Retreats
PZI Online Temple
John Tarrant and PZI Teachers offer 1 & 2-Day Online Retreats to highlight a special or seasonal occasion like Buddha’s Birthday, Summer Solstice, and All Hallows’ Eve. Online Retreats are typically large gatherings, and begin at 10:00 am and end at 4:00 pm. Register online to get the Zoom link for Retreat access for one or both days.
In-Person 1 & 2-Day Non-Residential Urban Retreats
Locations Vary
*This program has been on hold during Covid. Urban Retreats are low-cost commuter retreats hosted by various PZI Teachers, designed with an eye toward integration of our ordinary lives and meditation practice. Participants bring a brown bag lunch or are free to explore local restaurants. There are opportunities for both group and private conversation about meditation practice. The retreat day typically begins at 9:30 am and ends at 5:30 pm each day.
In-Person 1 & 2-Day Non-Residential Workshops
Locations Vary
Stay tuned for more information.
Online Classes, Special Series, & Programs
Special 4-Part Series with PZI Teachers in the Sunday Temple
PZI Online Temple
Various PZI Teachers periodically band together to offer Special 4-Part Series in the Sunday Temple, usually while John Tarrant is on a break. A past topic: Guanyin in the Pavilion Under the August Moon. See the Sunday Temple listing above.
Zen Luminaries Series: Jon Joseph Roshi in Conversation with Special Guests
PZI Zen Online
Hosted by Jon Joseph Roshi, Director of San Mateo Zen & Santa Rosa Zen Community, CA on select Mondays, 6–7:30 pm Pacific Time, featuring a notable modern Zen guest. Contact Jon Joseph
Featured Meditations & Talks with Special Guests
PZI Zen Online
Hosting Teachers and meeting times vary. Meets occasionally on select weekdays in lieu of a regularly scheduled PZI Weekday Zen Online meeting.
Special 10-Session Classes with PZI Teachers
PZI Zen Online
Special Classes are hosted by various PZI Teachers, usually have a maximum group size, and tend to fill quickly. A past 10-Week Class topic: The Bodhisattva Precepts as Koans for Your Life. Register online to get a recurring Zoom link for online meeting access.
Sneak Peak at Upcoming Programs
Self-Guided Web-Based Classes
PZI Podcasts
Event FAQs
How can I find an event or program?
All events are listed on the PZI Events Calendar.
Subscribe to our PZI Mailing List to get event announcements.
Am I welcome at any public event?
Yes!
How do I register?
Find your event on our PZI Events Calendar to get the registration link.
Where is my Zoom link?
It’s on your ‘Thank You!’ for registering message and in the emailed registration receipt.
Are there Covid provisions for in-person gatherings?
Yes. Covid safety is addressed on the event registration page.
Should I become a PZI Member?
Yes, of course! Being a member allows you discounts for events, unlimited access to downloadable audio dharma talks, and the opportunity to become part of our community of conversations and meetings. More info here.
More FAQs on our Questions page here.