🎊 THIS SATURDAY: Join us for Winter Ango Closing Ceremony & Shuso Celebration Dinner 🎊

 

COMING UP: Ango Closing Ceremony

Join us for Winter Ango 'Revealing the Dharma' Closing Ceremony & Mondo with Shuso Michael Zenmen (前面) McCulloch.   10:30 - 11:00am Zazen 11:00 - 11:45am Closing Ceremony & Mondo   About Shuso

Michael has been a part of the Pine Street Clinic since 1982. He is very interested in the medical applications of meditation practice, in particular how Zen can become a stronger part of our everyday culture. Michael received Jukai (taking of the vows to practice) from Kwong-roshi in 2019, was given the dharma name Zenmen which means “Reality Front Face,” and has attended many sesshins. He lives with his wife Michele in Point Reyes Station, California.

Attend On Site (in Zendo) Attend Online (on Zoom)

$15 admission (10-20% Member Discount: Please log in first to receive the discount.)

TOMORROW EVENING: Shuso Celebration Dinner

We invite everyone who attended any part of the Winter Ango Practice Period at SMZC or made a practice commitment during this month. Please RSVP if you are attending the dinner, so we can plan for the special meal. We encourage participants to bring a card, poem, writing or small gift to congratulate Zenmen on a job well done!   After the dinner, everyone helps keep kitchen clean, wash dishes, and reset Sangha Room together. Each guest will be assigned for a task before, during, or after the dinner.

RSVP

In order to continue to offer these programs and ensure the future of SMZC, we are asking for your support. Your donation is tax deductible. Sonoma Mountain Zen Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tax ID #23-7304793

6367 Sonoma Mountain Road, Santa Rosa, CA, 95404 (707) 545-8105 Share on social www.smzc.org

📚 TOMORROW: Join us for Sesshin Shuso Talk on Genjo Koan 📚

 

COMING UP TOMORROW: Sesshin Shuso Talk by Zenmen

Dogen’s Instructions on Realization Dogen took the name of Koan from the notice boards on which new laws were announced in China. He was quite serious and emphatic about diligently following the form for Zazen and Sangha, to allow Buddha Mind to happen to you. Learning self is learning how to forget self, forgetting self is learning how to help the Sangha’s practice thrive.   Join us for Sesshin Shuso Talk by Michael Zenmen (前面) McCulloch, following one period of zazen. If you live within driving distance, please register to attend on site. Open to the public.   3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Zazen 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Sesshin Shuso Talk   About Shuso

Michael has been a part of the Pine Street Clinic since 1982. He is very interested in the medical applications of meditation practice, in particular how Zen can become a stronger part of our everyday culture. Michael received Jukai (taking of the vows to practice) from Kwong-roshi in 2019, was given the dharma name Zenmen which means “Reality Front Face,” and has attended many sesshins. He lives with his wife Michele in Point Reyes Station, California.

Attend On Site (in Zendo) Attend Online (on Zoom)

$15 admission (10-20% Member Discount: Please log in first to receive the discount.)

Winter Practice Period Until Saturday, February 22

Join Us ON SITE or ONLINE for Zazen

Come and join us in practice: If you live within driving distance, come sit in the zendo. To attend all ango events on site or online, register via the Winter Practice Period page. Please email your commitment form to office@smzc.org. and meet with Shuso in person (preferred) or on zoom to support your practice. Availability is limited so please submit your commitment form today!

Cover Sheet   Commitment Form   Weekly Schedule Daily zazen periods are open to the public. Please support our practice community by donating to the Winter Practice Period.

Donate to Winter Ango

By Donation: Please support SMZC to sustain our practice on the mountain.

NEXT MONTH: 'Just This Moment' 1-Day Sitting

This retreat is an introduction to Zen training and an opportunity for beginners and experienced sitters to plunge into the heart of Zen practice. Retreatants will experience a moderate schedule of zazen (eight periods of sitting meditation), kinhin (walking meditation), samu (work practice), oryoki (formal meals) and sutra chanting - good for both beginners and experienced sitters. Please wear warm, loose, and subdued clothing for zazen. Also, bring work clothes for outdoor work and an alarm clock.   Check-in between 5:00pm and 6:00pm on Friday. This one day retreat includes a 6pm Friday evening dinner and an overnight stay. Oryoki instructions will follow the evening dinner at 6:30pm. (View 1-day Sitting Schedule)   Onsite day practice option is also available without overnight stay for $85 (5 am to 5 pm).

Attend On Site (in Zendo) Attend Online (on Zoom)

$85-160/night (10-20% Member Discount: Please log in first to receive the discount.)

In order to continue to offer these programs and ensure the future of SMZC, we are asking for your support. Your donation is tax deductible. Sonoma Mountain Zen Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tax ID #23-7304793

6367 Sonoma Mountain Road, Santa Rosa, CA, 95404 (707) 545-8105 Share on social www.smzc.org

🪟 Sign up Today for Winter Ango Sesshin (1-7 Nights) with Shuso Zenmen Starting This Sunday 🪟

 

THIS SUNDAY: "Actualizing the Way" 7-Day Sesshin

Sesshin, literally “to touch the Mind,” is a period of time set aside for an intensive meditation retreat to let go of the conditioned self and resume our original nature. This special time of practice will allow us to dive into the core of Zen training. A silent meditation intensive to still the mind from moment to moment, manifesting the realization of the Way; for beginners as well as experienced practitioners. A rigorous schedule that begins at 5:00 am includes 11 periods of meditation, chanting, mindful work, and a Dharma Talk. Days end at 9pm.   Retreat begins Sunday, February 9 at 7:30 pm and ends Sunday, February 16 at 4:45 pm. You are welcome to attend partially as long as you can close with us on Sunday, February 16 without any break in between. We will contact you to arrange your stay and accommodation.   Download 7-Day Sesshin Schedule

Attend On Site (in Zendo) Attend Online (on Zoom)

$85-160/night (10-20% Member Discount: Please log in first to receive the discount.)

AFTER SESSHIN: Winter Practice Period until February 22

Winter Ango is still underway at SMZC!

Theme for Winter Ango 2025: Actualizing The Fundamental Point from the book “Treasury of the True Dharma Eye: Zen Master Dogen’s Shobo Genzo” Edited by Kazuaki Tanahashi Download the theme for your own copy.   Come and join us in practice: If you live within driving distance, come sit in the zendo. To attend all ango events on site or online, register via the Winter Practice Period page. Please email your commitment form to office@smzc.org and meet with Shuso in person (preferred) or on zoom to support your practice. Availability is limited so please submit your commitment form today!

Cover Sheet   Commitment Form   Weekly Schedule Daily zazen periods are open to the public. Please support our practice community by donating to the Winter Practice Period.

About Shuso Michael has been a part of the Pine Street Clinic since 1982. He is very interested in the medical applications of meditation practice, in particular how Zen can become a stronger part of our everyday culture. Michael received Jukai (taking of the vows to practice) from Kwong-roshi in 2019, was given the dharma name Zenmen which means “Reality Front Face,” and has attended many sesshins. He lives with his wife Michele in Point Reyes Station, California.

Donate to Winter Ango

By Donation: Please support SMZC to sustain our practice on the mountain.

In order to continue to offer these programs and ensure the future of SMZC, we are asking for your support. Your donation is tax deductible. Sonoma Mountain Zen Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tax ID #23-7304793

6367 Sonoma Mountain Road, Santa Rosa, CA, 95404 (707) 545-8105 Share on social www.smzc.org