Andrew Shugyo Daijo Bonnici, Ph.D.
Doctor of Humanistic Depth Psychology • Master Zen Teacher, Mentor, Trainer, & Counselor
Over 35 years of teaching, training, and counseling practice — integrating the rich insights of Humanistic, Existential, Transpersonal, and Depth Psychology with the profound wisdom of Applied Zen Meditation and Core-Self Mindfulness.
In 1988, Dr. Bonnici founded Jotoku-ji Zen Training Temple in Rohnert Park, California. There he officiated his Tokudo ceremony as a Soto Zen priest in the early dawn, as witnessed by his whole family.
At his Tokudo ceremony, Dr. Bonnici accepted his Zen priest name, Shugyo Daijo, which means "Continuous Practice of the Great Way." He lives on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi with his wife Diana. They have been married over 60 years. Full BiographyThe Four Pillars of Shugyo Practice
The root meaning of Shugyo is the ordinary and profound Way of living enlightenment itself — the heartfelt, compassionate, and lovingly devoted Zen practice of wholly being your only moment body of Now while enjoying boundless intimacy, vast Oneness, and empathic core-Self stillness with all beings and things.
Bodily Listening
The constant, sincere practice of deep bodily listening to a Vast Wisdom beyond ignorance and delusion — the very ground of Zen meditation.
Original Wholeness
Faithfully acting and BEing our innately complete, originally enlightened humanness at the every-moment crossroads of life and death.
Depth Psychology
Integrating Humanistic, Existential, Transpersonal, and Depth Psychology with the ancient wisdom practice of Applied Zen Meditation.
Core-Self Mindfulness
Deepening felt intimacy with the original wisdom, integrity, and wholeness of body, mind, and spirit in every ordinary moment.
"Meditation is not just something you do — it is your original inborn nature that is fully awake, brilliantly alive, and infinitely whole as this only moment of Now that happens everywhere all at once without coming or going." — Andrew Shugyo Daijo Bonnici, Ph.D.
Services & Programs
Individual, couples, and group work — available worldwide via video or in person on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.
Video Counseling Worldwide
One-on-one Applied Meditation Therapy counseling for stress, health, personal growth, relationships, and spiritual development. Available anywhere in the world.
Learn more →Applied Meditation Therapy®
A 5,000-year-old human science integrated with modern depth psychology — promoting health, healing, longevity, clarity, and inner peace.
Learn more →Corporate Workshops
Customized trainings for organizations seeking stress reduction, leadership presence, team synergy, creativity, and peak performance.
Learn more →Visual Stress Teachings
A four-page sequential visual teaching on the impact of stress on health and how AMT® promotes wellness and longevity.
Learn more →Take a Breath Column
A collection of Dr. Bonnici's published Q&A meditation column — practical guidance on Zen, mindfulness, and living with wisdom.
Learn more →Words from Students & Clients
Your teaching was like a flower lei of wonderful moments threaded together. You have opened doors, front and back, in our minds and hearts. Our approach to our work and to life is profoundly changed for the better.
Learning new skills on stress relief through meditation was fun, easy to learn, and immediately implemented into our company culture. Andrew's ability to make his teachings grounded and useable in daily life was very impressive.
Dr. Andrew and Sensei Tony really connected with our group and taught us techniques for staying focused and present in a world of multi-tasking and distractions. The perfect complement to our Strategic Summit.
Begin Your Practice Today
Whether you're seeking individual counseling, couples work, or a workshop for your organization — Dr. Bonnici would love to connect with you.