COMING UP: 'Entering the Gate' 1-Day Sitting - Join Us On Site or Online

 

COMING UP: 'Entering the Gate' 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 6:40pm. (View 1-day Sitting Schedule)   Onsite day practice option is also available without overnight stay ($85/day for day practice).

Attend On Site Attend Online

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

NEXT WEEK: Saturday Community Talk - On Site or Online

Student talk will be given by Shindo (心土) Kevin Souza, a senior student of Kwong-roshi, following 10:30-11:00 am zazen. Open to the public.   For those who are new to Zen or need a refresher, please register for meditation instruction from 9:00 to 10:00 am (8:50 am check-in at the Sangha House). If you live within driving distance, please register to attend on site! Informal vegetarian lunch will be provided afterwards in the Sangha House. Zen Dust store will be open from 12:30 to 1:30 pm.   About Speaker

Shindo started practicing in Phoenix AZ in 2007 right around the time his son was born. He was at a point in his life where he had to make significant changes in order to be the father his son deserved. In 2008 he moved to Carson City to be closer to his son where he led a sitting group on Thursday nights. He would travel back and forth from Carson to SMZC to practice on weekends whenever he got a chance. He received Jukai from Kwong-roshi in 2009 and was given the dharma name Shindo which means “Mind/Ground.” He served as Shuso (head student) for the Summer Ango in 2021 and was ordained in 2023. He currently lives in Berkeley, CA with his wife and 17-year-old son and works full time. He loves spending his free time outdoors in the mountains backpacking in the summer and skiing in the winter.

Attend On Site Attend Online

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

THIS MONTH: Spring Sangha Gathering & Potluck

The Intimacy of the Relative & Absolute—Buddha, Dharma & Sangha Fostering a Sense of Belonging. We are hosting an informal get together for Sonoma Mountain Zen Center's sangha members. This is an opportunity for members to connect, give feedback and hear about SMZC's direction and plans for the future. We would love to see and hear from you. Bring a good dish to share & your family and friends too!

Attend On Site Attend Online

Please bring your favorite dish (for 6-8 people) to share with everyone!

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

COMING UP: Saturday Community Talk - Join Us On Site or Online

 

COMING UP: Saturday Community Talk - On Site or Online

Student talk will be given by Jason Shinmei (心鳴) Nichols, a student of Kwong-roshi, following 10:30-11:00 am zazen. Open to the public.   For those who are new to Zen or need a refresher, please register for meditation instruction from 9:00 to 10:00 am (8:50 am check-in at the Sangha House). If you live within driving distance, please register to attend on site! Informal vegetarian lunch will be provided afterwards in the Sangha House. Zen Dust store will be open from 12:30 to 1:30 pm.   About Speaker Jason Shinmei (心鳴) Nichols began practicing at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center in 2011 while living in Marin County. After moving to a new home on Sonoma Mountain in 2014, he first joined SMZC for the Rohatsu Sesshin that year and became a member. In 2017, Shinmei met German-born Kristin, a year-long resident at SMZC, who was on sabbatical from Switzerland.   Shinmei and Kristin Maisan (未散) married in 2018 with Kwong-roshi presiding over the ceremony. In 2019, they both received Jukai from Kwong-roshi. They now reside in Sebastopol, CA with their daughter Eve and son Ryokan. In addition to Zen practice, Shinmei devotes a lot of time to horses, studying German classical dressage, and teaching others about horsemanship. He is also a yoga practitioner, gardener and a struggling student of the German language.

Attend On Site Attend Online

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

THIS WEEKEND: Zafu Sewing Workshop

The Point of a Needle Join us on site for this unique and rare opportunity to create your own Zafu! For this workshop, you can choose to make either 1 or 2 zafus. If choosing the option to make 2 Zafus, one will help replenish our worn out supply in the Zendo, and one is to take home for your personal use. All materials are included in the workshop fee to make your zafu/s. If you wish to use some colorful fabric for your personal zafu, please bring a piece large enough to cut out 1 or 2 twelve inch rounds for the seat top and bottom (approx ⅓-½ yd).

Although we will have a couple sewing machines on site to share, please bring yours if you have one, along with any other favorite sewing accessories. On Sunday we will stuff the zafus with kapok* filling. Sewing experience may be helpful but is not required to attend. If you wish to stay overnight on Saturday, please contact the Office for accommodation options ($85-$160 room & board additional). Phone: 707-545-8105 | Email: office@smzc.org   When: Sat & Sun, April 27 & 28, 2024 Time: Saturday, 2-5pm & Sunday, 10am-5pm (includes potluck lunch at 12 noon) Where: Sangha House Fee:  $85 (to make 1 Zafu) or $120 (to make 2 Zafus)

10-20% Member Discount on workshop and overnight fee. (Please log in first to receive the discount.)   *Below: Kapok from Sri Lanka

$85 (1 Zafu) or $120 (2 Zafus) (10-20% Member Discount)

NEXT MONTH: 'Entering the Gate' 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 6:40pm. (View 1-day Sitting Schedule)   Onsite day practice option is also available without overnight stay ($85/day for day practice).

Attend On Site Attend Online

$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