A weekly meditation group
With Marc Lesser-Shunryu Suzuki,
Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind
Welcome
Mill Valley Zen is open to anyone wanting to learn to meditate, to have a regular meditation practice, to sit with others, to study Zen, and to investigate the question of what it means to be a human being in these challenging and amazing times. I meet lots of people who want to have a regular meditation practice and find it difficult to maintain a regular practice in the midst of their busy lives. This group was formed to meet that need, as well as for those who want to refresh or deepen their practices.
My definition of Zen these days is that it is the practice of developing a responsive and flexible mind while keeping your heart open. Zen practice is also a way of not being caught by our stories but instead to embrace and understand our stories and the paradoxical nature of being alive. As a Zen priest, CEO, husband, father, friend, writer I’m pleased and honored to be able to be part of a regular sitting group in Mill Valley.
Please join us.
Marc Lesser
Weekly Meeting Schedule
Wednesday evenings
Online via Zoom - sign up below:
Schedule
Room opens: 5:45 pm
Meditation: 6:00 – 6:30 pm
Talk, discussion, or presentation: 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Everyone is welcome. No prior experience with meditation required.
Cost
None; Donations appreciated. Make your donation here.

ABOUT MARC LESSER
Marc Lesser is a speaker, facilitator, workshop leader, and executive coach. He is known for his engaging, experiential presentations that integrate mindfulness and emotional intelligence practices and training. He is the author of 4 books, including Seven Practices of a Mindful Leader: Lessons from Google and a Zen Monastery Kitchen, and CEO of ZBA Associates, an executive development and leadership consulting company. www.marclesser.net.
Marc helped develop the world-renowned Search Inside Yourself (SIY) program within Google – a mindfulness-based emotional intelligence training for leaders which teaches the art of integrating mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and business savvy for creating great corporate cultures and a better world. He founded and was CEO of 3 companies, and has an MBA degree from New York University. Marc was a resident of the San Francisco Zen Center for 10 years, and director of Tassajara, Zen Mountain Center, the first Zen monastery in the western world. He leads Mill Valley Zen, a weekly meditation group.
Dharma Talks
by Marc
- Finding Clarity Being Upside Down?, Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at San Francisco Zen Center
- Nothing Hidden, Saturday, March 21, 2020, at San Francisco Zen Center
- What To Do? Practice, Saturday, March 7, 2020, at San Francisco Zen Center (Video)
- Lessons From A Zen Monastery , Saturday, August 24, 2019, at Tassajara
- Just One Career, Saturday, April 27, 2019, at San Francisco Zen Center
- Just One Career, Saturday, April 27, 2019, at San Francisco Zen Center (Video)
- Love the Work , Sunday, December 16, 2018, at Green Gulch Farm
- Pain and Possibility, Saturday, June 16, 2018, at San Francisco Zen Center
-
Pain and Possibility, Saturday, June 16, 2018, at San Francisco Zen Center (Video)
- An Antidote for Mistaken Beliefs, Saturday, March 11, 2017, at San Francisco Zen Center
- An Antidote for Mistaken Beliefs, Saturday, March 11, 2017, at San Francisco Zen Center (Video)
- Resilience, Sunday, March 27, 2016, at Green Gulch Farm
- All Self-Centered Thoughts Limit Our Vast Minds, Saturday, March 5, 2016, at San Francisco Zen Center
- All Self-Centered Thoughts Limit Our Vast Minds, Saturday, March 5, 2016, at San Francisco Zen Center (Video)
- Work Practice Part 2, Sunday August 8, 2015, at Tassajara
- Work Practice Part 1, Saturday, August 7, 2015, at Tassajara
- Breakthroughs, Sunday, April 12, 2015, at Green Gulch Farm
- Whole Heartedness, Sunday, March 30, 2014 at San Francisco Zen Center
- Finding Your True Path, Saturday, March 29, 2014, at San Francisco Zen Center
- Finding Your True Path, Saturday, March 29, 2014, at San Francisco Zen Center (Video)
- Lower Your Standard, Friday, May 3, 2013, at Green Gulch Farm
- Accepting What Is: Saturday, February 2, 2013, at San Francisco Zen Center
- The Impossible Request: Saturday, August 4, 2012, at San Francisco Zen Center
- Know Yourself, Forget Yourself, Saturday, March 10, 2012, at Green Gulch Farm
- The Hero’s Journey, Saturday, August 6, 2011, at Tassajara
- Confidence: Saturday, May 28, 2011, at San Francisco Zen Center
- Measuring Happiness and Letting Go, Saturday, November 20, 2010, at San Francisco Zen Center
- How Remarkable You Are, Sunday, August 29, 2010, at Green Gulch Farm
- Appreciating Our Life, Saturday, August 7, 2010, at Tassajara
- The Secret of Practice: Saturday, April 10, 2010, at San Francisco Zen Center
- Right View: Saturday, December 12, 2009, at San Francisco Zen Center
- Accomplishing More by Doing Less, Part 1: Saturday, July 18, 2009, at San Francisco Zen Center
- Accomplishing More by Doing Less, Part 2: Saturday, July 18, 2009, at San Francisco Zen Center
- Doing Less: Saturday, March 1, 2009, at San Francisco Zen Center
- Less is the New More, Saturday, February 21, 2009, at San Francisco Zen Center
- Friendliness: Saturday, October 4, 2008, at San Francisco Zen Center
- Everyday Mind: Sunday, June 8, 2008, at San Francisco Zen Center
- Simplicity and the Art of Doing Less: Saturday, December 15, 2007, at San Francisco Zen Center
- The Question of Power, Sunday, September 2, 2007, at Green Gulch Farm
- Zen Moments, Sunday, July 29, 2007, at Green Gulch Farm
Directions
Homestead Valley Community Center, 315 Montford Avenue, Mill Valley
From 101:
- Take Stinson Beach/Mill Valley exit
- Go straight at Tam Junction, toward Mill Valley
- Left turn on Montford (stop sign at 2 a.m. Club)
- Stay on Montford, just past Melrose (stop sign)
- Community Center is on the left