Sangha in Recovery 2011-2012 Third Trimester

Begins Sunday, May 27

With Ryotan Cynthia Kear and Tim Wicks

This final trimester will focus on contemporary American Buddhism.

The Sangha, along with the Buddha and the Dharma, is one of the Three Refuges of Buddhism. It is the community of men and women who practice together. In recovery, we share our “experience, strength and hope” with one another. Encouraging each other in sangha helps us to realize our intention to live an awakened life.

The San Francisco Zen Center is offering, in three trimesters, a yearlong experience of Sangha for people in recovery. Many in our community have found Buddhist practice and our work in recovery equally affirming. Those who join this group will commit to the practice of meditation three times a week (either at home or in a formal setting) , attending a class on basic Buddhist concepts, meeting together and individually with the organizing teachers. Other opportunities will be offered throughout the year as electives.

This program is open to all men and women in recovery from substance abuse or behavioral disorder. We ask that you be already involved in a recovery program and that you have a minimum of a year of continuous sobriety. Sangha in Recovery is not meant to replace, but to augment, our efforts elsewhere.

The year will be divided into three trimesters and the events scheduled to accommodate working men and women. The fees below cover the class, the group meetings, and meetings with teachers.

Related Bio(s):

Ryotan Cynthia Kear
Ryotan Cynthia Kear (Horyu Ryotan-Dharma Stream Completely Overflowing) has been practicing Soto Zen Buddhism for over twenty years. She received Jukai (lay ordination) from Zen Center Abbot Paul Haller in 2004. In 2008 she was given Shuke Tokudo (priest ordination) by Darlene Cohen, her heart teacher, from who she also received Dharma Transmission in December 2010. 

Tim Wicks
Born in Utah and raised in London, Tim Wicks studied fine art at San Francisco State University and received his MFA with distinction from California College of Arts and Crafts. He studied for four years with Spirit Rock teacher Eugene Cash. Impressed with Mahayana Buddhism and the bodhisattva ideal he studied with Michael Wenger, received lay ordination (jukai) in 2006, and is now preparing for priest ordination. He has worked with Buddhists in recovery at San Francisco Zen Center for over ten years and has led the Friday night recovery meeting at Hartford Street Zen Center for two years. 

Member Discount

Current Zen Center members receive a 10% discount. For more information about membership, visit the membership section of our web site or email membership@sfzc.org.

Zen Center Resident Discounts

Current San Francisco Zen Center residents attend at a discount.

To inquire, please email the City Center Front Office at ccoffice@sfzc.org or call them at 415.863.3136 during office hours: 9:30am- 4:00pm Monday-Friday.

More Information

• For help completing registration, please call 888-743-9362 (toll free) or 415-475-9362

For more information, please visit the San Francisco Zen Center web site or call:

• 888-743-9362 (toll free) or
• 415-475-9362 during the hours:

M-F: 8am to 5pm
Sat: 9:30am to 3pm
Closed for lunch 12:30 to 1:30pm (each day)

Cancellation Policy