Practice Schedule & Links

 

About our practice community

Rocks and Clouds Zendo is a Zen Buddhist community located in Sebastopol, California. Our community is dedicated to Zen practice and training.  The community (sangha) meets for meditation, tea and a Dharma talk by our teacher, Daniel Terragno Roshi, weekly on Wednesdays.

On many Fridays, Terragno Roshi offers dokusan, an opportunity to meet privately for discussion of meditation practice. Terragno Roshi works with and guides students in their practice, which may include study of Zen koans as a way of waking up to one’s true nature and developing the awareness, compassion, insight, and presence to live courageously and responsibly.

Support Rocks and Clouds Practice Community

 

Weekly Practice

Wednesday Night Meditation and Dharma Talk Hybrid
In-person and Online Zoom
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 
Please arrive at 6:55 p.m. as sitting starts at 7:00 p.m. sharp.

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Sunday Morning Meditation and Dokusan In-person Only
 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 618 So. Main St. Sebastopl Ca.

We sit for up to 4 25- min. periods of meditation (Zazen), with walking meditation between, there is an optional time for meeting with our founding teacher Daniel Terragno, Roshi to ask questions about your practice. Often the community goes to breakfast post sitting. 

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Online Zendo Sign-In Wednesdays

  • Zoom meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89494928686?pwd=QmsvQVg4SEpvMVU5T0hkVVlCbmllQT09
  • Email to request passcode at: rocksandcloudszen@gmail.com
    Passcode: gratitude

On Wednesday night we sit for one 25- min. period of meditation (Zazen), a dharma talk with our founding teacher Daniel Terragno, Roshi. The evening closes with chanting sutras. We welcome people new to the practice and those who are looking to deepen their existing practice.

Friday Evening “12 and Zen” Group

Our longtime friend, Bill Krumbein leads the “12 & Zen” group on the second Friday of each month meeting from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  This unique project uses koans in a nontraditional way to enliven one’s relationship with the Twelve Steps. Bringing these two paths together through meditation and discussion offers a unique and personal way for the Twelve Steps to affect one’s life on many levels. The group’s main participants are those practicing any 12-step program, however, everyone is welcome to come and explore this opportunity.
For more information about “12 & Zen” contact Bill at billk@sonic.net and visit his blog at http://12stepsandzenkoans.blogspot.com/

Meditation and Dokusan  (when Roshi is in town)

Terragno Roshi offers Dokusan when he is in town. Please contact Terrango Roshi to set up an in-person or Zoom meeting at rocksandcloudszen@gmail.com

 

Annual Rohatsu Sesshin Meditation Retreat

When: Friday December 8th 2023,
Time: 9 am to 5 pm Thursday
Fee: $45 per day. Sliding scale available upon request.
Link: https://rohatsuretreat.eventbrite.com

Our Rohatsu sesshin retreat is a time to connect deeply to our heart-mind and let the business of life fall away. As we practice something more essential and true emerges from within us.

This retreat will offer a hybrid online and in-person option. The in-person part of the retreat will be in Sebastopol Ca at our Zendo. We request that when you sign up you let us know if you plan to attend online or in person. We recognize that you might only be able to attend part of the retreat in person or online. Please let us know the days and times you are available when you sign up.

Instructions for Retreat: Once you have signed up you will receive instructions for either online, in person, or both for retreat attendance.

The Rohatsu sesshin is an annual tradition for us at Rocks and Clouds. Rohatsu commemorates Buddha’s awakening.  Led by Daniel Terragno, Roshi this is a time to reconnect to our fundamental nature. Sesshin is a fasting of the senses. Sesshin literally means, “to touch the heart-mind.” The stillness allows us to let the water settle and something more real and simple to emerge.

Meals during Sesshin and Zazenkai will be conducted in the traditional oryoki (Wikipedia, Shambhala, Berkeley Zen Article) meditation style.
Throughout the day meditation periods will be 25 minutes long, followed by five minutes of walking meditation.

There will be one period of chanting meditation. Daniel also gives one Teisho (talk) each day of retreats. These talks are open to both individuals attending the retreat and anyone who would like to attend. Call for the time of the talks if you are not attending the sesshin.

Events at Rocks and Clouds

Buddha’s Birthday Celebration
Buddha’s Celebration Birthday 2023

When: May 7th
Morning Meditation: 10 am to 12:00 pm
Work Practice: 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm
Community Potluck: 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm

For more information, contact us! Please RSVP via our eventbrite page so we can best prepare for you and those attending. 

In past years we had a beautiful and very sweet day as a community. During the ceremony, Daniel gave some encouraging words about our practice. We chanted the heart sutra and one by one each poured some sweet tea over the baby Buddha. To see pictures follow this link: Buddha’s Birthday.

One-Day Hybrid Retreats at Rocks and Clouds (Zazenkai) 2023 Dates.

Please sign up as soon as possible so we can better plan for the retreat and those attending. Use our Eventbrite link to sign up. 

    • Zazenkai Sunday, April 23rd
    • Zazenkai Sunday, July 23rd
    • Zazenkai Sunday, November 7th

Zazenkai at Rocks and Clouds are one-day intensive practice periods. Zazenkai retreats start at 7 am and end at 1 pm. Sitting blocks will be 25 min with walking meditation in between and several breaks throughout the day. Dokusan will be provided in the first block of the retreat. 

  • Sitting starts 7 am, PST. Arrive or log in 15 min early. 
  • Breakfast is served in Orioki style at  9 am, PST.
  • Sutra service happens during the 10:00 am to 10:30 am PST period.
  • Dharma talk or Dharma discussion occurs at 11:00 am PST and is open to the community. 
  • The retreat will end at 1 pm, PST
  • For those in person, there will be a potluck lunch with the community. 

Friday Evening “12 and Zen” Group

Our longtime friend, Bill Krumbein leads the “12 & Zen” group on the second Friday of each month meeting from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  This unique project uses koans in a nontraditional way to enliven one’s relationship with the Twelve Steps. Bringing these two paths together through meditation and discussion offers a unique and personal way for the Twelve Steps to affect one’s life on many levels. The group’s main participants are those practicing any 12-step program, however, everyone is welcome to come and explore this opportunity.
For more information about “12 & Zen” contact Bill at billk@sonic.net and visit his blog at http://12stepsandzenkoans.blogspot.com/