Dear Friends and Supporters,

In correctional facilities, recovery centers, and emergency shelters, daily life can be overwhelming. High stress and constant noise leave little room for inner peace or reflection.

At Monterey Bay Zen Center (MBZC), we are committed to changing that through Project Pause–Quiet in the Noise an outreach program designed to deliver secular, trauma-informed breath awareness and emotional regulation tools directly to residents in our community.

Why Project Pause Matters

Project Pause equips individuals with practical self-management skills to navigate high-stress environments and prepare for successful community re-entry.

• De-escalation & Impulse Control: Simple, grounded breath techniques empower participants to pause before reacting, measurably reducing conflict and tension.

• Trauma-Informed & Secular: Completely non-religious and focused purely on physical posture, grounding, and attention control.

• Re-Entry Readiness: Equips residents with essential tools for emotional stability, housing retention, and long-term success.

• Zero Overhead for Facilities: MBZC facilitators provide all materials and instruction at no cost or burden to participating sites.

What Your Support Makes Possible

Each 50-minute structured session offers participants a calm space for grounding, guided breath awareness, and facilitated dialogue on real-world applications—like managing sudden anger, handling cravings, and navigating stress under pressure.

Thank you for bringing quiet to the noise and supporting our community's journey toward healing and stability.

Please stay tuned!

Beginning November 12, you will find an exclusive opportunity right here to match contributions from our board of directors and challenge donors, and join our benefactors, the Community Foundation for Monterey County and Monterey County Gives! in the launch of Project Pause for 2027.

Warmly,

Monterey Bay Zen Center
Institutional Outreach Team