Sonoma Mountain Zen Center — Local services in Petaluma

My boyfriend and I attended a 7-day intensive silent Zen meditation training (sesshin) in August. Neither of us had a regular, dedicated meditation practice beforehand. Going into it, we were filled with self-doubts and fears.

The sesshin was very challenging. We meditated for 5 to 6 hours a day in intervals of 30 to 40 minutes and fully immersed ourselves in the Zen monastic practice. There was the physical pain of sitting for long periods, and my mind often wandered. I observed difficult memories and emotions rise and fall. For the first three days, I wanted to run away.

After the sesshin, our entire perspective on life profoundly shifted. I am more present, feel more compassionate, and am less judgmental. My heart feels open, lighter, and more joyful. I now flow with the ease of life. Difficult thoughts and emotions continue to arise in daily life, but I am now much more aware and present when they do.

I know this is not just a temporary state of feeling good; it’s something much deeper and more profound than that. Words can’t fully capture the experiential understanding I’m trying to describe; one must experience it directly.

My boyfriend, who describes himself as a man of science, asked the Abbott for a list of Zen books after the sesshin. He purchased and read Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki and has started meditating at home.

Sesshin is not a wellness retreat where one goes to feel "heard, validated, confident, and loved." It is Zen training practiced in silence, an intense practice involving long hours of sitting, performing Zen forms, and sleeping only 5 to 6 hours a day.

I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone deeply curious about inquiring, investigating, and understanding the nature of their mind. The temple also allows you attend sesshin for a shorter period of time.

Our only regret is not doing this in...

This place is a piece of the heavens. it was my first time and i was invited. At the dining area I saw a nice collection of books about Buddhism. then we went to mediate. It was fantastic and amazing how you feel resurrected. Near the top of the mountain, the road dips, bends, then snakes through a small grove of redwoods. The dense tree canopy blocks all ambient light, so that when you emerge on the other side of the grove, you feel as though you've passed through a portal into another world. It's a fitting way to approach Sonoma Mountain Zen Center, because people there view reality just a little bit differently from the way most of us do." discover the beauty of sonoma country at the Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. i had an honor of meeting amazing individuals. these people are incredibly talented and packed with the knowledge that will lead you to wisdom. go there don't miss this golden opportunity! congrats management this place is spotless...

I have trained in Sonoma Mountain Zen centre under Jakusho Kwong roshi, Shinko and Nyoze Kwong between 2015 and 2018. Real Intimate Heart of Zen. Subtle, profound changes. It was like rediscovering a long lost loving family. So much support, kindness... Love... Help towards liberation... Hard practice but amazing...I wish I had the stamina to continue. Though, nothing is lost by taking the step back. Billions of gasshos and Love...