Practice period is an ancient Zen tradition, dating back to the time of the Buddha, when the sangha, or community, would gather to practice together during the rainy season. While Zen practice periods are traditionally held in monasteries, the Mountain Rain Zen Community's Fall Practice Period offers participants the opportunity to intensify and strengthen their practice in everyday life, in the midst of family and work responsibilities. 

This fall, Ruth Ozeki has been invited to serve as shusō, or head monk, of the practice period. In this training role, she will support the sangha by offering weekly classes, giving special talks, meeting for tea with participants, taking part in ceremonies, and assisting the resident teacher and practice period leader, Myoshin Kate McCandless. Ruth, whose dharma name is Kanshin Dō-on (Generous Heart, Voice of the Way), was ordained as a priest by Zoketsu Norman Fischer in 2010. 

The practice period is free and open to all. Participants are asked to make commitments to their practice and to taking part in as many of the events as possible, either in person or online. For more information and for a complete schedule of 2014 Fall Practice Period events, please visit the Mountain Rain Zen Community website.