Learning with the True Face of Sangha
Gathering in New Hampshire for practice and ceremony, our multi-cultural retreat, we learned the power of this work and the joy that arises from practicing with committed like-minded souls. Our Mondo Zen Intensive celebrated diversity with openness and safety. Lead by Heisoku Mike Bain taking his seat as tanto and Shoan VIctoria Montanez jiki-jitsu, we honored Jun Po Roshi’s retreat practices. Mondo Zen Facilitation was lead by Fugen Roshi, Enso Alberto Mendez and me. Sharing the thought’s of several of participants hopefully provides a glimpse into the experience.
“ Getting to do this retreat with people who not only look like me, but had similar backgrounds as I do was amazing. I was able to gain these really deep insights into my own life in my own practice, because those people were able to say things to my face, because they knew what I was going through.”
Taiken Ty Pearson
“A unique opportunity to allow your mind to settle, and get to know my emotional patterns, in zen style, balancing wisdom and compassion and a few laughs.”
Shoan Victoria Montanez
“The inside of this experience is bigger than the exterior, staff gracious and heartfelt. In person sangha way more impactful and supportive of deepening meditation than online!”
Patric Schretlen
“Mondo Zen Intensive is a retreat for anyone that wants to uncover their 'true self', without dedicating twenty plus years of sitting on the cushion. It is a lasered approach to discovering how we react as opposed to respond. The program offers tangible methods to refer to when not on the cushion that are useful in everyday 'reality'.”
Shoshin Lisa Baitsell
“I got to see how my head and my heart and my emotions and my spirit, can work together in my body to carry me through whatever it is that I need. It helped me wake up, and then they integrate it. There's integration going on where I can take this confidently into many situations like,”
Koto Washi Dallas Chief Eagle
“This was an all inclusive, BIPOC led, 4 day intensive Zen retreat. The focus being making the Dharma available to all regardless of circumstances and simply to awaken. Using a question based manual, guided by an instructor to have an enlightened experience, heart opening moment and realization that angst can be turned into liberation.”
Enso Alberto Mendez
“Zen with shadow work”
Tsukirai Claire Mendez
“Stepping into my fear of screwing it up, going into victim, and being able to get out of victim and just embrace the freedom of doing it, however came is how it comes. I don't need to beat myself up, just relax.”
Heisoku Maik Bain
“The Hollow Bones Mondo Zen approach to meditation gave me a new and stronger access to deeper meditation. The idea of "clear, deep, heart-mind" as an "OM" mantra was very effective for me.”
Michael Radoslovich
“Great introduction to grounding in practical relationship skills for modern applications of ancient traditions.”
Taisan Bruce Iverson
