Santa Monica Zen Center

Today is the 47th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s I Have A Dream speech.

On this day August 28, 2010 Glenn Beck gathered hundreds of thousands of our nation’s citizens at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. for the Restoring Honor event.

Some of you may love Glenn Beck, some of you may not. Regardless, this is one extraordinary example of a man standing up for what he believes.

The following is an excerpt of Dr. King’s original speech. Mr. Beck is to be acknowledged for his efforts to make this country better for everyone.

“We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.”

Sesshin, literally “gathering the mind”, is a period of intensive training.

During sesshin participants set aside regular work and life commitments and devote themselves almost exclusively to zazen (meditation) practice. Throughout the day there are numerous 30 minute-long periods of zazen which are interleaved with short rest breaks, meals, and one period of work (fushinsamu) all performed with the same mindfulness.

Sesshin also includes talks (teisho) by Yoshin Sensei and individual direction in private meetings (daisan) and/or interview with a Senior Student.

Sesshin is open to the general public - all are welcome, especially first timers.

Dates are August 25th - August 28th

For more information visit our programs at - programs

To read Mark Eckhardt’s latest blog for PBS’s This Emotional Life >click here.