An American Pilgrimage

The word dharma is a Sanskrit word that means ‘truth’ or ‘universal law.’ A dharma center is a place where people are supported to look deeply and carefully at the nature of reality, the truth of who and what they are, and the source of their own personal suffering. It is a place where they are encouraged to release the beliefs and psychological clinging that cause distress in their lives, to recognize their innate freedom of being, and to appreciate the simple happiness available to them. A dharma center is a refuge, a place where people can find sanity, clarity, and peace, and learn to surrender to the moment by moment flow of life.

We have led meditation retreats in the wilderness for the past ten years. Inspired by the power of these retreats, and our need as humans to re-examine our relationship with the earth, we sought a large, nature-based, dharma practice center. Shortly thereafter we received the 700 acre Bells Mountain property in the fall of last year, along with its associated non-profit 501(c)(3), Remember Land, and anticipated operating costs for the first five years. The property includes a 4 bedroom house, as well as another house in need of repair. Long-term, we are looking to build a sustainably built timber-frame open-air meditation hall (Zendo) and additional residential quarters which we  estimate will cost approximately 1.5 million. Short-term we think we can begin retreat and residential training next Spring with approximately 100k invested into fixing up the extant house and buying or building a few simple cabins or yurts.

Thus, Soten, Shinei, along with their newborn baby Sabina & dog Samaya, have begun a 1500 mile pilgrimage-fundraiser run-a-thon from Mexico to Bells Mountain with a goal of raising this initial 100k to get practice started at the center. Soten is traveling solely on foot and running more than a marathon a day, 5 days a week, for approximately 1500 miles. Shinei and the little ones are driving along side, supporting in a converted van that was donated for this purpose. 

The hope is that 30 people may each give $2/mile to reach our 100k goal.  

Can you give $2/mile?

Please make a pledge to support the flourishing of deep spiritual practice during our lifetimes! All donations are 501(c)(3) tax deductible. 

Anyone who pledges $2/mile or more is invited to attend all retreats and monthly sesshin at Bells Mountain free of charge through 2026. 

Please spread the word! We're looking for people to help us with publicity and marketing and for places to stay on our route.

Thank you!

Three Phase Fundraising and Building Plan: 

2025/2026: $500,000 goal for the construction of two residential structures, the construction of our open-air meditation hall, and an initial basic clean-up/remodel to make the second house usable. 

2027-2029: 500,000 for a complete remodel of the second house into a chanting hall and indoor meeting space/meditation hall with residential quarters attached. 

2027-2035: 500,000 goal to expand our residential capacity for short and long-term residents and solo-hermitages. Perhaps also building a rustic shelter at the top of the mountain (vista from which is featured on the home page).

Our Building Vision: 

Having led meditation retreats in the wilderness for years, we are aware of the blessings and the consequences​ of being fully exposed to the elements. We want to create ​beautiful buildings that are ​permeable to the vitality of the world, yet protect us from nature's extremes.

​W​e are re-learning how to live, and build, with the environment in mind.​ We are learning that in the long run, it does not save to cut financial costs, while creating environmental costs. We are learning that sunlight, and electric light are not the same, the benefits of fresh air and water, walking barefoot on the ground, and experiencing the cold. We are learning that creating privacy also feeds loneliness, and that soundscapes affect our state of mind. In the modern way of living, we sacrifice beauty for comfort, and have electronic relationships over great distances rather than physical relationships within our neighborhood.

We want our structures and lifestyle to guide people back to the basic rhythms of the ​family and community, earth, light and dark, hot and cold, back to using their bodies ​instead of machines, and back to being satisfied with where ​they are. ​This is not about returning to some idyllic past, nor about rejecting modernity's gifts. We are a part of something larger. We may not improve this world, but it very well may improve us.

​In envisioning ​our living, practice, and retreat spaces, ​how do we embody these values? For our primary practice space, we envision a large, open-air zendo (meditation hall) which offers some protection from the elements without depriving us of their vital wisdom and support. We would like to use any kind of locally and sustainably sourced, or reused, building materials. Timber ​is beautiful, local, and has been ​the primary material used for construction in the Pacific Northwest for 15-20,000 years​. We would like to support the global trend returning to selective harvesting in lumber sourcing, rather than clear-cutting. Also, we aspire to see a structure that recognizes and respects, rather than forgets, the lives of the ​m​aterials that went into its construction. We found a builder we hope to work with through our Zen community that embodies these values. You can find out about his company here.​

Please get in touch if you have building experience and would like to lend a hand or if you know a builder who might like to work with us!