Join Us Online This Week | Saturday, February 13th, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Sesshin Retreat

 

Join Us This Week | Saturday, February 13th, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

SMZC Online Programs Are Open to All by Donation Our temple gates are always open to those who wish to practice Zen.

Sesshin (接心), literally “to touch the Mind,” is a period of time set aside for an intensive meditation retreat to let go of the conditioned self in order to resume our original nature. This sesshin is a 7-day practice period that will allow us to dive into the core of zen training. A silent meditation intensive for experienced sitters to still the mind from moment to moment manifesting the realization of the Way. The online schedule begins at 6:30 a.m. and includes several periods of meditation, chanting, mindful work, Dharma talks, and dokusans (private interviews). Days end at 8:50 p.m.

The retreat begins at 7:30 p.m. on Sun, Feb 14 and ends Sun, Feb 21 at 11 a.m. Feel free to join any time but refrain from joining in the middle of a period. Open to all by donation ($20/day suggested). Email the office to register today!   View Sesshin Schedule

(Below) Life-sized statues of Abbess 無外 如大 Mugai Nyodai (1223-1298) in her seventies enshrined in Hōji-in convent in Kyoto, Japan Talk by the Winter’s Ango Shuso Ania “Eko - Prajna Fragrance” 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.   Zazen 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.   Shuso Talk

Ania Eko (慧香), Shuso (head student) has been practicing with the Kannon Sangha in Poland since she met Kwong-roshi in the 90s. Later, she practiced as a resident at SMZC. In Summer 2018, Eko served as Shuso (head student) for the Summer Ango at Kannon Sangha in Kaciki, Poland. Eko currently lives outside of Warsaw, Poland with her daughter Maja and works as a Nonviolent Communication and mindfulness trainer. She also enjoys doing pottery in her small basement studio.   Saturday Community Link

Saturday Intro to Meditation 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.   Drop in for meditation instruction, designed for those who are new to Zen or need brushing up. Taught by Doshin Steven Yoder in Boulder, Colorado.   Intro to Meditation Link

Morning Zazen Reflection Across the World   In morning sitting, the sounds from the Sangha remain muted. The sounds here at the edge of a marsh help following breath. When interrupted by thoughts, a garbage truck's beeping signal brings me back. Or a mourning dove's cooing. Coyotes howling before first light. A wood pecker's tapping. Rain dripping. A wind chime. Geese overhead. Or nothing.

I wonder how it would be if you could hear what everyone in the Sangha hears. A ruckus? Or nothing?   —Bruce Richardson, San Rafael, CA SMZC Sangha Member since March 2020   Daily Meditation Schedule 6:30 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.     Morning Zazen 7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.   Evening Zazen   Please enter the virtual zendo a few minutes early to get settled (seated and logged in before the starting bell).   Join Us Online

Climbing above Sonoma Mountain the rosy rosy morning.   by Russ Jakushin(寂心) Flynn, Lafayette, IN Received Jukai (Serenity/Tranquility Mind) from Rev. Shōhaku Okumura in 2014

It takes many volunteers to move the Dharma Mountain that is inexplicably wordless, wide, great and bottomless. Become a part of this Mountain building and journey by volunteering. Please email the office to get involved and offer your support!

ZenDust Store Helper Wanted We are looking for a couple of weekly volunteers who can stuff zafus and are good at sewing (or willing to learn). On-site training will be provided by our volunteer ZenDust Store Manager Janet Myoho (妙法) Buckendahl with social distancing and safety protocols. Please email Janet to get started today!

GRATITUDE I personally would like to express my deep appreciation to Tom Jakuryu (寂龍) Huffman, who single-handedly has hacked and cut the overgrowth on west side of our land to protect this refuge from fire every Friday over the seasons. Nine Bows.   Jakusho Kwong-roshi   Membership Info

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   DONATE ONLINE

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