Our silent meditation retreats are unique. We have a nontraditional approach with no rituals, required beliefs, or assigned practices.

The different aspects of retreat are offered as resources rather than requirements. 

Each retreat has an optional daily schedule with meditation periods, a talk by a member of the Center's teaching staff, possibilities for private meetings with teachers and other participants, and group dialogue. The only requirement is to participate in silence.

Retreat fees apply. REGISTER HERE.

Please contact us at info@springwatercenter.org for more information.

Sandra Gonzalez has led retreats in both English and Spanish for several years. She began working with Toni in 1988. Previously, she studied for seven years at Zen centers in New York and California.

Sandra spends much of the year in Springwater. She also leads or participates in several retreats away from Springwater each year.

Sandra was born and raised in Nicaragua but has lived in the United States since 1979. She has three children and nine grandchildren that she visits regularly.

In a newsletter article by Sandra entitled “Awareness invites Awareness: A Meditative Way of Being Together,” she wrote:

Presence invites presence when there is no resistance, no ownership of ideas, experiences or things, no worrying, no hurrying, no judging, no defending–just the ease of life when we meet without wanting things to be otherwise. Certainly we all can participate; presence is free and available to all of us. There is a true beauty in this.

Looking deeply right now into the question, “What is it that truly touches us?” The truth of it all is that I don’t know. Presence/tenderness/love cannot be known but can be felt and touched very palpably. Whatever I have named or described, is not it. One can describe what took place the best one can, but the description is not the actual thing. Words cannot reach it, nor define it. Definitions and descriptions are merely attempts by the mind to describe the indescribable just for the sake of sharing. So be it.

Wayne Coger has led retreats since 2001. He worked with Toni Packer for more than 30 years, and has been a staff member of the Center since 1983, currently serving as administrator. Previously, he studied at the Rochester Zen Center. Wayne writes:

Toni Packer asked me if I would share the work that we do with others. While I have never had any desire to become a ‘teacher,’ exploring the work of meditative inquiry has been my deepest joy and passion for many years. What excites me is this possibility to look at anything and everything freshly, without inhibitions or strictures. It is through this open inquiry that we begin to learn about ourselves, to learn how we are when we are not bound by our ideas and self-images.

Our silent meditation retreats are unique. We have a nontraditional approach with no rituals, required beliefs, or assigned practices.

The different aspects of retreat are offered as resources rather than requirements. 

Each retreat has an optional daily schedule with meditation periods, a talk by a member of the Center's teaching staff, possibilities for private meetings with teachers and other participants, and group dialogue. The only requirement is to participate in silence.

Retreat fees apply. REGISTER HERE.

Please contact us at info@springwatercenter.org for more information.

Sandra Gonzalez has led retreats in both English and Spanish for several years. She began working with Toni in 1988. Previously, she studied for seven years at Zen centers in New York and California.

Sandra spends much of the year in Springwater. She also leads or participates in several retreats away from Springwater each year.

Sandra was born and raised in Nicaragua but has lived in the United States since 1979. She has three children and nine grandchildren that she visits regularly.

In a newsletter article by Sandra entitled “Awareness invites Awareness: A Meditative Way of Being Together,” she wrote:

Presence invites presence when there is no resistance, no ownership of ideas, experiences or things, no worrying, no hurrying, no judging, no defending–just the ease of life when we meet without wanting things to be otherwise. Certainly we all can participate; presence is free and available to all of us. There is a true beauty in this.

Looking deeply right now into the question, “What is it that truly touches us?” The truth of it all is that I don’t know. Presence/tenderness/love cannot be known but can be felt and touched very palpably. Whatever I have named or described, is not it. One can describe what took place the best one can, but the description is not the actual thing. Words cannot reach it, nor define it. Definitions and descriptions are merely attempts by the mind to describe the indescribable just for the sake of sharing. So be it.

Wayne Coger has led retreats since 2001. He worked with Toni Packer for more than 30 years, and has been a staff member of the Center since 1983, currently serving as administrator. Previously, he studied at the Rochester Zen Center. Wayne writes:

Toni Packer asked me if I would share the work that we do with others. While I have never had any desire to become a ‘teacher,’ exploring the work of meditative inquiry has been my deepest joy and passion for many years. What excites me is this possibility to look at anything and everything freshly, without inhibitions or strictures. It is through this open inquiry that we begin to learn about ourselves, to learn how we are when we are not bound by our ideas and self-images.

Our silent meditation retreats are unique. We have a nontraditional approach with no rituals, required beliefs, or assigned practices.

The different aspects of retreat are offered as resources rather than requirements. 

Each retreat has an optional daily schedule with meditation periods, a talk by a member of the Center's teaching staff, possibilities for private meetings with teachers and other participants, and group dialogue. The only requirement is to participate in silence.

Retreat fees apply. REGISTER HERE.

Please contact us at info@springwatercenter.org for more information.

Sandra Gonzalez has led retreats in both English and Spanish for several years. She began working with Toni in 1988. Previously, she studied for seven years at Zen centers in New York and California.

Sandra spends much of the year in Springwater. She also leads or participates in several retreats away from Springwater each year.

Sandra was born and raised in Nicaragua but has lived in the United States since 1979. She has three children and nine grandchildren that she visits regularly.

In a newsletter article by Sandra entitled “Awareness invites Awareness: A Meditative Way of Being Together,” she wrote:

Presence invites presence when there is no resistance, no ownership of ideas, experiences or things, no worrying, no hurrying, no judging, no defending–just the ease of life when we meet without wanting things to be otherwise. Certainly we all can participate; presence is free and available to all of us. There is a true beauty in this.

Looking deeply right now into the question, “What is it that truly touches us?” The truth of it all is that I don’t know. Presence/tenderness/love cannot be known but can be felt and touched very palpably. Whatever I have named or described, is not it. One can describe what took place the best one can, but the description is not the actual thing. Words cannot reach it, nor define it. Definitions and descriptions are merely attempts by the mind to describe the indescribable just for the sake of sharing. So be it.

Wayne Coger has led retreats since 2001. He worked with Toni Packer for more than 30 years, and has been a staff member of the Center since 1983, currently serving as administrator. Previously, he studied at the Rochester Zen Center. Wayne writes:

Toni Packer asked me if I would share the work that we do with others. While I have never had any desire to become a ‘teacher,’ exploring the work of meditative inquiry has been my deepest joy and passion for many years. What excites me is this possibility to look at anything and everything freshly, without inhibitions or strictures. It is through this open inquiry that we begin to learn about ourselves, to learn how we are when we are not bound by our ideas and self-images.

Our silent meditation retreats are unique. We have a nontraditional approach with no rituals, required beliefs, or assigned practices.

The different aspects of retreat are offered as resources rather than requirements. 

Each retreat has an optional daily schedule with meditation periods, a talk by a member of the Center's teaching staff, possibilities for private meetings with teachers and other participants, and group dialogue. The only requirement is to participate in silence.

Retreat fees apply. REGISTER HERE.

Please contact us at info@springwatercenter.org for more information.

Sandra Gonzalez has led retreats in both English and Spanish for several years. She began working with Toni in 1988. Previously, she studied for seven years at Zen centers in New York and California.

Sandra spends much of the year in Springwater. She also leads or participates in several retreats away from Springwater each year.

Sandra was born and raised in Nicaragua but has lived in the United States since 1979. She has three children and nine grandchildren that she visits regularly.

In a newsletter article by Sandra entitled “Awareness invites Awareness: A Meditative Way of Being Together,” she wrote:

Presence invites presence when there is no resistance, no ownership of ideas, experiences or things, no worrying, no hurrying, no judging, no defending–just the ease of life when we meet without wanting things to be otherwise. Certainly we all can participate; presence is free and available to all of us. There is a true beauty in this.

Looking deeply right now into the question, “What is it that truly touches us?” The truth of it all is that I don’t know. Presence/tenderness/love cannot be known but can be felt and touched very palpably. Whatever I have named or described, is not it. One can describe what took place the best one can, but the description is not the actual thing. Words cannot reach it, nor define it. Definitions and descriptions are merely attempts by the mind to describe the indescribable just for the sake of sharing. So be it.

Wayne Coger has led retreats since 2001. He worked with Toni Packer for more than 30 years, and has been a staff member of the Center since 1983, currently serving as administrator. Previously, he studied at the Rochester Zen Center. Wayne writes:

Toni Packer asked me if I would share the work that we do with others. While I have never had any desire to become a ‘teacher,’ exploring the work of meditative inquiry has been my deepest joy and passion for many years. What excites me is this possibility to look at anything and everything freshly, without inhibitions or strictures. It is through this open inquiry that we begin to learn about ourselves, to learn how we are when we are not bound by our ideas and self-images.

Our silent meditation retreats are unique. We have a nontraditional approach with no rituals, required beliefs, or assigned practices.

The different aspects of retreat are offered as resources rather than requirements. 

Each retreat has an optional daily schedule with meditation periods, a talk by a member of the Center's teaching staff, possibilities for private meetings with teachers and other participants, and group dialogue. The only requirement is to participate in silence.

Retreat fees apply. REGISTER HERE.

Please contact us at info@springwatercenter.org for more information.

Sandra Gonzalez has led retreats in both English and Spanish for several years. She began working with Toni in 1988. Previously, she studied for seven years at Zen centers in New York and California.

Sandra spends much of the year in Springwater. She also leads or participates in several retreats away from Springwater each year.

Sandra was born and raised in Nicaragua but has lived in the United States since 1979. She has three children and nine grandchildren that she visits regularly.

In a newsletter article by Sandra entitled “Awareness invites Awareness: A Meditative Way of Being Together,” she wrote:

Presence invites presence when there is no resistance, no ownership of ideas, experiences or things, no worrying, no hurrying, no judging, no defending–just the ease of life when we meet without wanting things to be otherwise. Certainly we all can participate; presence is free and available to all of us. There is a true beauty in this.

Looking deeply right now into the question, “What is it that truly touches us?” The truth of it all is that I don’t know. Presence/tenderness/love cannot be known but can be felt and touched very palpably. Whatever I have named or described, is not it. One can describe what took place the best one can, but the description is not the actual thing. Words cannot reach it, nor define it. Definitions and descriptions are merely attempts by the mind to describe the indescribable just for the sake of sharing. So be it.

Wayne Coger has led retreats since 2001. He worked with Toni Packer for more than 30 years, and has been a staff member of the Center since 1983, currently serving as administrator. Previously, he studied at the Rochester Zen Center. Wayne writes:

Toni Packer asked me if I would share the work that we do with others. While I have never had any desire to become a ‘teacher,’ exploring the work of meditative inquiry has been my deepest joy and passion for many years. What excites me is this possibility to look at anything and everything freshly, without inhibitions or strictures. It is through this open inquiry that we begin to learn about ourselves, to learn how we are when we are not bound by our ideas and self-images.

Our silent meditation retreats are unique. We have a nontraditional approach with no rituals, required beliefs, or assigned practices.

The different aspects of retreat are offered as resources rather than requirements. 

Each retreat has an optional daily schedule with meditation periods, a talk by a member of the Center's teaching staff, possibilities for private meetings with teachers and other participants, and group dialogue. The only requirement is to participate in silence.

Retreat fees apply. REGISTER HERE.

Please contact us at info@springwatercenter.org for more information.

Sandra Gonzalez has led retreats in both English and Spanish for several years. She began working with Toni in 1988. Previously, she studied for seven years at Zen centers in New York and California.

Sandra spends much of the year in Springwater. She also leads or participates in several retreats away from Springwater each year.

Sandra was born and raised in Nicaragua but has lived in the United States since 1979. She has three children and nine grandchildren that she visits regularly.

In a newsletter article by Sandra entitled “Awareness invites Awareness: A Meditative Way of Being Together,” she wrote:

Presence invites presence when there is no resistance, no ownership of ideas, experiences or things, no worrying, no hurrying, no judging, no defending–just the ease of life when we meet without wanting things to be otherwise. Certainly we all can participate; presence is free and available to all of us. There is a true beauty in this.

Looking deeply right now into the question, “What is it that truly touches us?” The truth of it all is that I don’t know. Presence/tenderness/love cannot be known but can be felt and touched very palpably. Whatever I have named or described, is not it. One can describe what took place the best one can, but the description is not the actual thing. Words cannot reach it, nor define it. Definitions and descriptions are merely attempts by the mind to describe the indescribable just for the sake of sharing. So be it.

Wayne Coger has led retreats since 2001. He worked with Toni Packer for more than 30 years, and has been a staff member of the Center since 1983, currently serving as administrator. Previously, he studied at the Rochester Zen Center. Wayne writes:

Toni Packer asked me if I would share the work that we do with others. While I have never had any desire to become a ‘teacher,’ exploring the work of meditative inquiry has been my deepest joy and passion for many years. What excites me is this possibility to look at anything and everything freshly, without inhibitions or strictures. It is through this open inquiry that we begin to learn about ourselves, to learn how we are when we are not bound by our ideas and self-images.

Our silent meditation retreats are unique. We have a nontraditional approach with no rituals, required beliefs, or assigned practices.

The different aspects of retreat are offered as resources rather than requirements. 

Each retreat has an optional daily schedule with meditation periods, a talk by a member of the Center's teaching staff, possibilities for private meetings with teachers and other participants, and group dialogue. The only requirement is to participate in silence.

Retreat fees apply. REGISTER HERE.

Please contact us at info@springwatercenter.org for more information.

Sandra Gonzalez has led retreats in both English and Spanish for several years. She began working with Toni in 1988. Previously, she studied for seven years at Zen centers in New York and California.

Sandra spends much of the year in Springwater. She also leads or participates in several retreats away from Springwater each year.

Sandra was born and raised in Nicaragua but has lived in the United States since 1979. She has three children and nine grandchildren that she visits regularly.

In a newsletter article by Sandra entitled “Awareness invites Awareness: A Meditative Way of Being Together,” she wrote:

Presence invites presence when there is no resistance, no ownership of ideas, experiences or things, no worrying, no hurrying, no judging, no defending–just the ease of life when we meet without wanting things to be otherwise. Certainly we all can participate; presence is free and available to all of us. There is a true beauty in this.

Looking deeply right now into the question, “What is it that truly touches us?” The truth of it all is that I don’t know. Presence/tenderness/love cannot be known but can be felt and touched very palpably. Whatever I have named or described, is not it. One can describe what took place the best one can, but the description is not the actual thing. Words cannot reach it, nor define it. Definitions and descriptions are merely attempts by the mind to describe the indescribable just for the sake of sharing. So be it.

Wayne Coger has led retreats since 2001. He worked with Toni Packer for more than 30 years, and has been a staff member of the Center since 1983, currently serving as administrator. Previously, he studied at the Rochester Zen Center. Wayne writes:

Toni Packer asked me if I would share the work that we do with others. While I have never had any desire to become a ‘teacher,’ exploring the work of meditative inquiry has been my deepest joy and passion for many years. What excites me is this possibility to look at anything and everything freshly, without inhibitions or strictures. It is through this open inquiry that we begin to learn about ourselves, to learn how we are when we are not bound by our ideas and self-images.

Our silent meditation retreats are unique. We have a nontraditional approach with no rituals, required beliefs, or assigned practices.

The different aspects of retreat are offered as resources rather than requirements. 

Each retreat has an optional daily schedule with meditation periods, a talk by a member of the Center's teaching staff, possibilities for private meetings with teachers and other participants, and group dialogue. The only requirement is to participate in silence.

Retreat fees apply. REGISTER HERE.

Please contact us at info@springwatercenter.org for more information.

Sandra Gonzalez has led retreats in both English and Spanish for several years. She began working with Toni in 1988. Previously, she studied for seven years at Zen centers in New York and California.

Sandra spends much of the year in Springwater. She also leads or participates in several retreats away from Springwater each year.

Sandra was born and raised in Nicaragua but has lived in the United States since 1979. She has three children and nine grandchildren that she visits regularly.

In a newsletter article by Sandra entitled “Awareness invites Awareness: A Meditative Way of Being Together,” she wrote:

Presence invites presence when there is no resistance, no ownership of ideas, experiences or things, no worrying, no hurrying, no judging, no defending–just the ease of life when we meet without wanting things to be otherwise. Certainly we all can participate; presence is free and available to all of us. There is a true beauty in this.

Looking deeply right now into the question, “What is it that truly touches us?” The truth of it all is that I don’t know. Presence/tenderness/love cannot be known but can be felt and touched very palpably. Whatever I have named or described, is not it. One can describe what took place the best one can, but the description is not the actual thing. Words cannot reach it, nor define it. Definitions and descriptions are merely attempts by the mind to describe the indescribable just for the sake of sharing. So be it.

Wayne Coger has led retreats since 2001. He worked with Toni Packer for more than 30 years, and has been a staff member of the Center since 1983, currently serving as administrator. Previously, he studied at the Rochester Zen Center. Wayne writes:

Toni Packer asked me if I would share the work that we do with others. While I have never had any desire to become a ‘teacher,’ exploring the work of meditative inquiry has been my deepest joy and passion for many years. What excites me is this possibility to look at anything and everything freshly, without inhibitions or strictures. It is through this open inquiry that we begin to learn about ourselves, to learn how we are when we are not bound by our ideas and self-images.