Bear Gokan Bonebakker is a senior monastic and a Dharma Holder. He first came to the Monastery in 1994, and has been in residence since 2007. Gokan is the Operations Director, helps coordinate the National Buddhist Prison Sangha, and works in the orchard.
Events with Mn. Gokan Bonebakker
Introduction to Zen Training WeekendApril 7 - 9, 2023
Whether you’re completely new to Zen Buddhism or looking to deepen your connection, our popular introductory retreat offers an immersive experience in an ideal setting, nestled in the heart of the Catskill Mountains. During the weekend, you’ll receive instruction in zazen (seated meditation) and have a chance to experience and ask questions about liturgy, work as sacred activity, art and body practice, the teachings of wisdom and compassion, and how to approach Buddhist study. We’ll discuss how to establish a consistent home practice and you’ll receive guidance on bringing mindfulness and clear intention into your work, family, and relationships. You’ll also have the opportunity for private interview with a teacher to explore the importance of the teacher-student relationship for the spiritual path. The retreat takes place within the Monastery cloister—a dynamic spiritual community whose everyday activities and concerns are simplified. By entering the cloister for a weekend, you’ll experience a place uniquely conducive to spiritual practice and to connecting to your own innate silence and stillness. While periods of the day are held within that silence, there will also be a number of opportunities to converse with fellow retreat participants, Monastery residents and monastics. Note: This retreat is a prerequisite…
Introduction to Zen Training WeekendMay 5 - 7, 2023
Whether you’re completely new to Zen Buddhism or looking to deepen your connection, our popular introductory retreat offers an immersive experience in an ideal setting, nestled in the heart of the Catskill Mountains. During the weekend, you’ll receive instruction in zazen (seated meditation) and have a chance to experience and ask questions about liturgy, work as sacred activity, art and body practice, the teachings of wisdom and compassion, and how to approach Buddhist study. We’ll discuss how to establish a consistent home practice and you’ll receive guidance on bringing mindfulness and clear intention into your work, family, and relationships. You’ll also have the opportunity for private interview with a teacher to explore the importance of the teacher-student relationship for the spiritual path. The retreat takes place within the Monastery cloister—a dynamic spiritual community whose everyday activities and concerns are simplified. By entering the cloister for a weekend, you’ll experience a place uniquely conducive to spiritual practice and to connecting to your own innate silence and stillness. While periods of the day are held within that silence, there will also be a number of opportunities to converse with fellow retreat participants, Monastery residents and monastics. Note: This retreat is a prerequisite…
Introduction to Zen Training WeekendJune 2 - 4, 2023
Whether you’re completely new to Zen Buddhism or looking to deepen your connection, our popular introductory retreat offers an immersive experience in an ideal setting, nestled in the heart of the Catskill Mountains. During the weekend, you’ll receive instruction in zazen (seated meditation) and have a chance to experience and ask questions about liturgy, work as sacred activity, art and body practice, the teachings of wisdom and compassion, and how to approach Buddhist study. We’ll discuss how to establish a consistent home practice and you’ll receive guidance on bringing mindfulness and clear intention into your work, family, and relationships. You’ll also have the opportunity for private interview with a teacher to explore the importance of the teacher-student relationship for the spiritual path. The retreat takes place within the Monastery cloister—a dynamic spiritual community whose everyday activities and concerns are simplified. By entering the cloister for a weekend, you’ll experience a place uniquely conducive to spiritual practice and to connecting to your own innate silence and stillness. While periods of the day are held within that silence, there will also be a number of opportunities to converse with fellow retreat participants, Monastery residents and monastics. Note: This retreat is a prerequisite…
Further Steps Along the Path of Zen: Exploring Wisdom and CompassionJune 16 - 18, 2023
Within the dharma, wisdom and compassion are sometimes spoken of as the two wings of a bird—we need both of them to fly. We can nurture these qualities in how we engage our life as a field of practice. For the most part, the barriers we encounter and the sources of our suffering are created by our misunderstanding of the nature of things. As we begin to develop some insight into the nature of mind, our experience of our life begins to shift. This is what all of Zen practice is pointing towards. During the morning, we will focus on zazen, looking at developing concentration, working with thoughts and emotions, and what it means to cultivate compassion as part of a meditative practice. In the afternoon, our focus will shift to how we can develop our practice off of the cushion. What does concentration look like in the midst of full-on activity? How can awareness transform our experience of difficult feelings on the spot? How does softening and opening to our own experience nurture our compassionate heart? This weekend retreat is meant to be a follow up to our popular Introduction to Zen Training Weekend; participants should have done a…
Introduction to Zen Training WeekendJune 30 - July 2, 2023
Whether you’re completely new to Zen Buddhism or looking to deepen your connection, our popular introductory retreat offers an immersive experience in an ideal setting, nestled in the heart of the Catskill Mountains. During the weekend, you’ll receive instruction in zazen (seated meditation) and have a chance to experience and ask questions about liturgy, work as sacred activity, art and body practice, the teachings of wisdom and compassion, and how to approach Buddhist study. We’ll discuss how to establish a consistent home practice and you’ll receive guidance on bringing mindfulness and clear intention into your work, family, and relationships. You’ll also have the opportunity for private interview with a teacher to explore the importance of the teacher-student relationship for the spiritual path. The retreat takes place within the Monastery cloister—a dynamic spiritual community whose everyday activities and concerns are simplified. By entering the cloister for a weekend, you’ll experience a place uniquely conducive to spiritual practice and to connecting to your own innate silence and stillness. While periods of the day are held within that silence, there will also be a number of opportunities to converse with fellow retreat participants, Monastery residents and monastics. Note: This retreat is a prerequisite…
Weekend SesshinJuly 14 - 16, 2023
Because sesshin is a very intensive retreat, if you have not attended sesshin at Zen Mountain Monastery you must have a pre-sesshin interview, so please call or email the Training Office to schedule at (845) 688-2228, or registrar@dharma.net. A weekend sesshin is a great way to experience sesshin for the first time, and also a wonderful opportunity for more experienced practitioners. Characterized by silence and deep introspection, sesshin is recommended to anyone who is sincerely interested in experiencing intensive Zen training. We wake up each day before dawn to begin a schedule that includes 7 to 10 hours of zazen, chanting services, formal silent meals in the zendo (oryoki), silent work practice and talks by the teacher and senior students. Sesshin is an opportunity to receive support from the teachers, draw from the tremendous strength of people practicing together and experience the deep stillness that lies within each one of us. As with all in-person retreats at the Monastery, participants are required to follow the current protocol for keeping everyone safe. Please review the current protocol requirements before registering, and if you have further questions, please contact the registrar. Financial concerns should not prevent you from attending a program at…
Introduction to Zen Training WeekendAugust 4 - 6, 2023
Whether you’re completely new to Zen Buddhism or looking to deepen your connection, our popular introductory retreat offers an immersive experience in an ideal setting, nestled in the heart of the Catskill Mountains. During the weekend, you’ll receive instruction in zazen (seated meditation) and have a chance to experience and ask questions about liturgy, work as sacred activity, art and body practice, the teachings of wisdom and compassion, and how to approach Buddhist study. We’ll discuss how to establish a consistent home practice and you’ll receive guidance on bringing mindfulness and clear intention into your work, family, and relationships. You’ll also have the opportunity for private interview with a teacher to explore the importance of the teacher-student relationship for the spiritual path. The retreat takes place within the Monastery cloister—a dynamic spiritual community whose everyday activities and concerns are simplified. By entering the cloister for a weekend, you’ll experience a place uniquely conducive to spiritual practice and to connecting to your own innate silence and stillness. While periods of the day are held within that silence, there will also be a number of opportunities to converse with fellow retreat participants, Monastery residents and monastics. Note: This retreat is a prerequisite…
Introduction to Zen Training Weekend - TEST COPY (Kien)August 4 - 6, 2023
Whether you’re completely new to Zen Buddhism or looking to deepen your connection, our popular introductory retreat offers an immersive experience in an ideal setting, nestled in the heart of the Catskill Mountains. During the weekend, you’ll receive instruction in zazen (seated meditation) and have a chance to experience and ask questions about liturgy, work as sacred activity, art and body practice, the teachings of wisdom and compassion, and how to approach Buddhist study. We’ll discuss how to establish a consistent home practice and you’ll receive guidance on bringing mindfulness and clear intention into your work, family, and relationships. You’ll also have the opportunity for private interview with a teacher to explore the importance of the teacher-student relationship for the spiritual path. The retreat takes place within the Monastery cloister—a dynamic spiritual community whose everyday activities and concerns are simplified. By entering the cloister for a weekend, you’ll experience a place uniquely conducive to spiritual practice and to connecting to your own innate silence and stillness. While periods of the day are held within that silence, there will also be a number of opportunities to converse with fellow retreat participants, Monastery residents and monastics. Note: This retreat is a prerequisite…