⏳ Join us for Ango Opening Ceremony & Summer Practice Period - Registration Open NOW! ⌛️

 

COMING UP: Ango Opening Ceremony

Join us for Summer Ango Opening Ceremony with Shuso Tokan (当観) Craig Stepanek, 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 at noon in Sangha House.   About Shuso

Tokan worked as a nuclear engineer in the Navy for six years, studied at California State University, Stanislaus, and worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta while traveling around India one summer. There, he met Fr. Bede Griffiths at his Benedictine monastery. These experiences led him to search for the enlivened community of simplicity, harmony, and well-being he had experienced in India. He had a chance encounter with the Rev. Joan Halifax who pointed him to Jakusho Kwong-roshi. Within a month, he was living at SMZC as a resident. He received Jukai from Kwong-roshi in 1991 and spent nearly five years as a resident before meeting his future wife. After more than 25 years working as a landscape/gardening contractor and raising his family, he has returned as a resident and was ordained in 2023. He enjoys sailing and gardening when time permits.

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

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

Summer Practice Period: August 3–August 31

Join Us ON SITE or ONLINE for Zazen

SMZC's Summer Practice Period will begin next month. Come and join us in practice: If you live within driving distance, come sit in the zendo. To attend all Winter Ango events on site or online, register via the Summer 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 Summer Practice Period.

Donate to Summer Ango

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

NEXT SESSHIN: "Actualizing the Self" 7-Day Sesshin

This retreat is a period of time set aside to let go of the conditioned self and resume our original nature. RSVP and we will email to confirm accommodation details and complete your registration.

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 5am includes 11 periods of meditation, chanting, mindful work, and a Dharma Talk. Days end at 9pm.

Retreat begins Sunday, August 18 at 7:30pm (check-in at 7pm) and ends Sunday, August 25 at 4:45pm. You are welcome to attend partially as long as you can close with us on Sunday, August 25 (based on room availability). Day practice without staying overnight is also available. View 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.)

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