Dragon Mountain Press

Hello and welcome to Dragon Mountain Press,

Thank you for visiting our Web site. We're hopeful you'll take a look around and find books that will help you look deeply at this life. I'd like to share a little bit about who we are and what we offer. 

Dragon Mountain Press was started in 2001 by members of the Original Root Zen Center in Racine, Wisconsin. To date, we've published five titles, all by Anton Somlai, co-founder and a master teacher of ORZC.

There's no Zen Buddhist community on the planet quite like ORZC. We are a community of lay practioners who are dedicated to spiritual practice. We have families, jobs and lives that mix together in daily practices, regular retreats and countless other community activities. 

Tony and his wife, Linda Somlai, also co-founder of ORZC, are master teachers at the Zen Center. They've each practiced and taught Zen for over 30 years in various traditions. Now they're our guiding teachers in creating and practicing an American-style of Buddhism that holds family and community as our highest priority. After all, sitting meditation and practices only work so far as they help others.

This comes through in Tony's books. They are written simply and eloquently for anyone on a spiritual path, be it Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduisim, Judism or any other spiritual practice. At their core they offer one teaching: I wish you happiness. 

But how do we do it? We all can use guides and teachers to point us along the wisdom path. Even the historic Buddha needed the help of children to realize some of his greatest teachings. Dragon Mountain Press hopes to offer new maps for discovering happiness this life. 

Please click our titles and see what strikes you. If you're moved, buy a title or two and give the practices a try. You'll be surprised at how simple a life of peace and love truly is. 

Sincerely,

Dustin Block

publisher, Dragon Mountain Press

Master Teacher Tony Somlai signs a copy of his new book, “Peace Vigil” at the Peace Appears Party on March 19 at ORZC.Photo/Darin Zimpel

 The Original Root Zen Center celebrated the release of Master Teacher Anton Somlai’s new book, Peace Vigil on March 19 with a “Peace Appears Party.” Participants drew pictures of their egos and then let their egos go by ripping up their pictures and eating cake. The Master Teacher also signed copies of his book, and Master Teacher Linda Somlai read from the new book, which is published by Dragon Mountain Press. Many thanks to all who attended and helped make the party possible!

Master Teacher Tony Somlai with guests at the Peace Appears Party on March 19 at ORZC. Photo/Darin Zimpel

Peace Vigil by Anton Somlai was featured in Racine's daily newspaper, The Journal Times, on Feb. 28. Reporter Lee Roberts interviewed Anton about Peace Vigil and included excerpts from Dragon Mountain Press' new title.

The reporter writes:

“Peace Vigil” is designed to work on three levels, the first of which is understanding, explained Somlai, who is a Zen Buddhist Master Teacher and co-founder of Racine’s Original Root Zen Center.

“We all understand peace, but sometimes we look at it as an object that’s out there somewhere,” he said. “We may think that if other people would behave the way we want them to, all would be peaceful. Or, if the economy was better, we’d all have peace. But that is the external approach.”

Instead, we need to search for peace within ourselves, says Somlai, and developing such awareness is the second level that the book deals with.

“That’s when peace becomes the subject, rather than an object,” he said. “Where does the peace reside within you?”

Equally important is the final level of the “Peace Vigil,” which is the activity offered for each day. These can range from something as simple as taking a walk around your neighborhood and being present in that journey to exploring the concept of humility within yourself over a period of time.

“You can have all the understanding in the world, but without action it is worth nothing,” Somlai said.

The author, who is also a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, said he hopes the book will engage readers on all three levels and that it will be something people will come back to again and again, finding something different each time they do. The activities involved are not cost intensive for the reader, he said, but they do involve some effort and time.

“I don’t know if we can have peace without that,” Somlai said.

 You can read the full article here. 

"We could all use some more peace." That's what a reporter told me today during a brief conversation about Dragon Mountain Press's newest book, Peace Vigil by Anton M. Somlai. We agreed Peace Vigil is that source of peace. Well, that's not exactly correct. Somlai, a master teacher at the Original Root Zen Center, clearly teaches that you are peace, you just have to believe it. We've published five of the Master Teacher's books to date, and each is built around this profound, but simple, realization. You are complete - now make your complete nature function.

Peace Vigil offers a guide to the way of loving-kindness. The 108 readings offer contemplative readings, stories and activities to help you connect with peace energy. It only takes your effort. Dragon Mountain Press is dedicated to publishing books designed to help people find their direction.These are difficult times, but they also offer an opportunity to reevaluate our lives. Already people are finding great truths in the simplicity of family, friends and connecting with all beings. The path is right in front of you.

Please, look around and consider buying one of our titles. All proceeds keep this little press going and make future books possible. More importantly, you are peace. The world needs your help, and it needs it now. 

Sincerely,

Dustin Block, publisher