At SFZC, everyone is welcome. This is my experience.

I attended a sewing sesshin for 3 days, staying in the student housing, eating and meditating with the community.

The sewing priest/instructor (Tim Wicks) is an amazing teacher, as well as a real human being. He could not have been more supportive or kind and was this way with everyone who walked through his sewing room door, keeping track of everyone's process, stage in sewing, and gently guiding each. Tim is a treasure and what he teaches in the sewing is Zen practice, from the ground (actually, the basement) up. Important work. I hope he knows this.

The sewing sesshin included people from all over the world, with former, very experienced sewing teachers, new sewing teachers in training and resident Zen students all there to support the process. A group of total strangers became Sangha in that sewing room. The support was so touching. I carry them all with me. It was an inspiring sesshin and for me, an impressive example of a Zen Center.

Everyone at SFZC was friendly, kind, helpful whenever I had questions. The food, not meant to be indulgently good, was generally delicious. My bedroom was simple, clean and comfortable. The dorm bathroom was clean and functional. The zendo, Buddha hall, library, and bookstore each have their immeasurable charms and gifts.

I highly recommend SFZC for anyone, Zen student or not, who wants a safe, welcoming place to stay in the City. The building is a Julia Morgan masterpiece by the way, with an amazing history. Of course, SFZC's history in Zen in America, the lineage and legacy of Suzuki Roshi, is profound and rich.

And if you are lucky enough to be sewing a rakusu or okesa, you will find yourself in the sewing room, with a real, authentic human being for a sewing teacher.... Together... one stitch at a time.