Programs | Sonoma Mountain Zen Center

Temple stay is an opportunity for beginners to experience authentic Soto Zen Buddhism, its lifestyle, forms and rituals. Return to each moment and be in accordance with the harmony of the Universe. Turning your light inward and take the backward step; “The light of the jewel illuminates the jewel itself.” During a temple stay, guests can rest in the calm, restorative environment of Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. A stay at our center is a unique retreat into a sanctuary surrounded by natural beauty. We are located in the heart of Sonoma County, overlooking the Valley of the Moon on the northern slope of Sonoma Mountain. This rural setting is filled with redwood forests, oak groves, and sweeping vistas. During your stay, you can join in the meditation periods, services, and communal meals of our daily temple life or spend time alone reading, writing, or hiking. In addition to walking trails on our grounds, North Slope Regional Park and Jack London State Park are a close driving distance from the center. More details(link to anchor(temple stay page)

Friday 3:00pm to Saturday 1:30pm(dates)

Pricing

$150 per night

Our temple sits in the deep and quiet calm of Sonoma Mountain. It is an ideal location for a personal solo spiritual retreat regardless of your particular spiritual path or practice. Practitioners from all contemplative traditions, writers and artists seeking serenity and deepened creative practice are also welcome to utilize the center to take quiet time away from the business of the world. Those who wish to stay more than 5 days and follow a more rigorous solo retreat practice are encouraged that it be confirmed and guided by a verified teacher. A solo retreat offers the time and space for personal practice, journaling, hiking and solitude in the natural tranquil surroundings of Sonoma Mountain. This program allows the option of joining our temples regular practice schedule and work practice schedule. Meals can be enjoyed alone or shared communally.

$Pricing per day or discounted monthly rate

$pricing per day

This one day retreat is an introduction to Zen training. An opportunity for beginners and experienced practitioners to wholeheartedly embrace the Heart of Zen practice. Walking the Way of the Buddha’s and Ancestors participants experience a moderate schedule of zazen(sitting meditation), samu(temple work practice), oryoki(formally receiving meals) and sutra chanting services. Please wear warm(dress in layers), comfortable and subdued clothing for zazen. Includes Friday night dinner and overnight stay. Bring a set of work clothes for outdoor work, toiletries, flashlight, and alarm clock. FAQs page details.

March Friday 7:30pm - Saturday 5:00pm(dates)

pricing

A multi-day meditation intensive encouraged for experienced practitioners or others with meditation experience offered monthly. Sesshin is to “Touch the Mind” immersing oneself into the core of Zen Training. Yearning the ancient ways, upholding the pure standards of Soto Zen practice, participants recondition the conditioned-self, realizing the Way and return to the harmony of the universe. Mornings begin at 4:45 a.m. and evenings end at 9:00 p.m. A rigorous intense daily schedule of zazen(10 sitting meditation periods), sutra chanting(3 services), oryoki (formally receiving meals), samu(temple work practice), Dharma talks and dokusan(teacher interviews).

Retreat schedule begins 7:30pm previous full day schedule and ends 5:00pm last day with a closing ceremony. Special arrangements can be made for those unable to come for the entire sesshin due to important work commitments. FAQs page details.

3 day sesshin - Thursday 5:00pm - Sunday 5:00pm(dates)

4 day sesshin (Buddha’s birth) - Wednesday 7:30 - Saturday 3:00pm

5 day sesshin (Buddha’s enlightenment) - Monday 7:30pm - Saturday 8:00am

7 day sesshin - Sunday 5:00pm - Sunday 5:00pm

Pricing

Dates and Pricing

A month-long retreat for serious practitioners. Ango means “Peaceful Dwelling”. Participants experience a contained practice environment and schedule integrating with SMZC’s community cultivating peace and repose in everyday life. “To practice in a training period is to possess the body and mind of the Buddhas and Ancestors. It is their enlightened vision and the root of their life”. This month-long retreat is led by SMZC’s Shuso(head student) who is given the authority to lead SMZC’s assembly to cultivate harmony and joy through each day and each night. Through continuous practice, following the repetition of Zen forms, lack of distraction, and bringing back our awareness to the reality in front of us helps us to shed the many layers that obscure our original nature. By following a tight, contained and deeply structured practice schedule the light of our wisdom naturally appears. Through the practice of zazen(sitting meditation), reciting sutras, oryoki(formal eating), samu(work practice) and study we manifest a composure and return to the harmony and peace of life itself. A 7-day sesshin is included on the third week of Ango. Filling out an Ango commitment form everyone is welcome to join us integrating Zen in everyday life. Days begin at 4:45am and end at 9:00pm. For details go to our FAQs page.

Dates

Winter Ango Practice Period - February

Summer Ango Practice Period - August

Pricing

5 days in September (See calendar for dates.)

FOR THE BENEFICIAL AWAKENING OF ALL BEINGS...

LET US HOST YOUR NON-PROFIT GROUP EVENT

WITHIN THE SERENE EMBRACE OF OUR MOUNTAIN TEMPLE

In keeping with our mission, Sonoma Mountain Zen Center welcomes group retreats for non-profit, educational, and other spiritual organizations devoted to selfless service. Guests will enjoy warm and welcoming hospitality and participate in a gently immersive schedule that offers "A Taste of Zen" practice in action. Simple, asian-influenced accommodations and delicious, nutritious vegetarian meals are offered to visiting guests during their stay. Please complete our Inquiry Form below to receive more details about hosting your group retreat with us.