RETREATS

ONE DAY SITTING

For beginners as well as seasoned sitters to experience a taste of a silent retreat in a moderate schedule. Includes prostrations, several periods of meditation, chanting, formal oryoki meals in the zendo and mindfulness work practice.

Saturday May 3, 2008    4:45 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Includes Friday dinner and overnight stay.)
Saturday July 5, 2008    4:45 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Includes Friday dinner and overnight stay.)

(non)members: $60 (P)members: $40 (G)members: $50

KIDO RETREAT

Kido means "the Way of Energy". Two days of chanting, bowing, using simple percussion instruments such as bells, clackers and small drums, while circling in procession. An intensive practicing of chanting samadhi where all sounds become one universal sound. Led by Lincoln Rhodes, Buddhist name Ji Do Poep Sa Nim, successor of Korean Zen Master Seung Sahn and Jakusho Kwong-roshi.

November 7-9, 2008

                                                               (non)members: $60/day (P)members: $40/day (G)members: $50/day

SESSHIN RETREAT

A silent meditation intensive for experienced sitters to still the mind in a rigorous schedule that begins at 4:45 a.m. with prostrations and includes 10 periods of meditation, chanting, mindul work, Dharma talks and private interviews. Days end at 9 p.m. The retreat begins at 7:30 p.m. on the first day and ends at 4 p.m. on the last day. Special arrangements can be made for those unable to come for the entire retreat due to work commitments.

June 5 - 8, 2008

(non)members: $60/day (P)members: $40/day (G)members: $50/day

PRACTICE PERIOD

This is a 27-day retreat held each winter and summer with six meditation periods daily, prostrations, oryoki meals, study, chanting and work practice. It is designed to enhance moment by moment mindfulness. There will be a seven-day sesshin intensive included within the Ango. Participants are welcome to participate for three days minimum. Shared accommodations in cabins, tents and yurt. We will have a unique format this Ango with a different former Shuso returning to serve as Shuso each week. First week will be Mark "Kuten" Empty Sky, second week is Chris "Sekiun" Moon Cloud, third (sesshin week) will be led by John "Suikyo" Water Way, and Demian "Santen" Mountain Sky.

July 28 - August 23, 2008

(non)members: $60/day or $1500/month (P)members: $40/day (G)members: $50/day

KYUDO: The Way of the Bow

Kyudo is the traditional art of Japanese archery referred to as “moving meditation”. This unique retreat is a traditional discipline to experience precise forms in which the mind and body become naturally sychronized; manifesting the flight of the arrow. The daily practice will include zazen as essential to the spirit of Kyudo. This retreat will be lead by Don Symanski who is Head Kyudo instructor of North America of Zenko International and has studied with Kanjuro Shibata XX, Sensei for many years. This retreat is open to beginners as well as experienced Kyudo practitioners. For further Kyudo information go to www.zenko.org. For registration please contact Lucy Halverson at kyudoka@juno.com or 415-863-3780.

Beginners - May 15-18 $225
Advanced - May 14-18 $300

CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS

INTRODUCTION TO ZEN WORKSHOP

An orientation workshop for beginners offering the basics of Zazen meditation, a grounding in the practice of mindfulness and an introduction to the Buddhist perspective. This workshop will include short periods of sitting meditation, outdoor walking meditation, discussion, informal presentations relating buddhist thought to actual zen practice and instruction on soto zen forms. A vegetarian buffet lunch is included.

Saturday, June 21, 2008. 9:00am - 3:00pm

(non)members: $60 (P)members: $40 (G)members: $50

BEGINNER'S MIND STUDY GROUP

FALL STUDY GROUP: Investigating and “turning our radiance inward” through zen practice, we begin to discover what our mind really is. This is an opportunity to explore the fundamental teachings of buddhism and the foundation for daily practice. Kwong-roshi is a Dharma successor of Shunryu Suzuki-roshi and Abbott of Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. Shinko Kwong was ordained in 1996 and is currently head of practice of Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. This will be a six-week course.

                                                  Book TBD

                                                  October 14 - November 25, 2008 Tuesdays 7:30pm - 9:00pm
                                                  (non)members: $60 (P)members: $50 (G)members: $55

EVENTS

WORKFEST

This biannual event is an opportunity for friends and families of Sonoma Mountain Sangha to work together on projects in the spirit of together-action. Delicious lunch, snacks, and beverages provided. No meditation or lecture schedule.

Sep 20, 2008 Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

BIRTH OF THE BUDDHA CELEBRATION (Buddha's Birthday)

This is a day for the entire family to join us in commemorating the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha with a flower festival and a traditional ceremony of pouring sweet tea over the baby Buddha. Bring garden or wildflowers and hors d'oeuvres.

April 8, 2009 Sunday 1 p.m. Donation appreciated.