Sit-a-Thon

About Clouds in Water

Clouds in Water Zen Center is a vibrant urban community in the Soto Zen Buddhist tradition dedicated to awakening the heart of great wisdom and compassion. Located in the Frogtown neighborhood of Saint Paul, we welcome people of all backgrounds and faiths. As a non-profit organization, we operate primarily on donations and no one is turned away for lack of funds for any of our programming.

About the Sit-a-thon

This year, we're going for 24 hours (our guiding teacher, Sosan, is meditating the WHOLE time!), and we have an incredibly generous donor who is offering to match every dollar raised this year and put it toward our mortgage! That means we can raise $50,000 to keep our center open and thriving while at the same time putting an additional $50,000 toward paying off our sanctuary in the heart of the city.

Why Support Our Work?

As Buddhists, when we sit, we actually sit for ALL beings. We believe in the ripple effect of this practice to bring more peace, love, and justice to our hurting planet. We know of no other practice that can meet what we're up against with such grace, resilience, courage, and tenderness.


From our services and classes throughout the week to our LGBTQ support, BIPOC sitting group, Racial Awareness Groups, Friday Night Zen, 12-Step Mindfulness Group, Youth & Family Program, and more, Clouds is passionate about creating and maintaining a thriving sangha that celebrates diversity. But we can’t do it without the generosity of people who believe that this ancient spiritual technology is vital, especially in these noisy, tumultuous times.

About me and why I will be sitting

My name is Mary Petrie and I've been a member of this community for many years. My now-adult children attended the Sunday Morning Children's Practice in its first incarnation. My involvement with Clouds has waxed and waned over the years as life's other demands often pulled me in different directions. Yet each time I return to sit with other community members on a Sunday morning, it is as if I never left. Everyone who walks through this door is greeted with genuine warmth and welcome. 

It's uplifting and reassuring to be in the company of people committed to collective good, who come together in conscious community. Life's twists and turns now allow me to more actively support this community. It's really exciting to think that this fundraiser is getting its dollars matched, so your donation doubles! Thank you! I will be sitting for six hours on Saturday, March 29! If you're thinking about donating and looking for an anchor, how about $60 or $120. That's $10 or $20 for each hour sitting, or pledge another amount; however much is right for you! Thank you!