Intro to Zen Classes (Getting Started)
Please see our Getting Started page for more information about beginning practice at the ZCD.
Daily Meditation
Zazen (seated meditation) is at the heart of Zen practice and realization. The ZCD generally offers daily meditation Monday – Friday mornings, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and Sunday mornings, and at other scheduled events; please check the calendar for exact times and meeting links.
Non-members are welcome to attend our daily events; however, we ask that you a) be fully vaccinated, b) first attend either a beginners’ night or our introductory seminar by way of getting situated with our practice and community, and c) register in advance via the relevant event page on the calendar.
Zazenkai (All-day Sittings)
During zazenkai, we are able to let go our daily concerns and enter deeply into our practice. Zazenkai include extended blocks of zazen (seated meditation), along with teisho (Dharma talks), chanting and kinhin (walking meditation). Participants should have some prior experience practicing zazen, whether at the ZCD or another Zen center. To register, please contact the office.
Sesshin (Zen Meditation Retreats)
In Japanese, the word sesshin means “to touch the mind.” Unique to Zen, sesshin offers participants a singular opportunity to deepen their meditation practice and clarify their natural awareness.
During sesshin, participants live and sleep at the practice location, devoting themselves entirely to the practice of zazen. Many of our sesshin are also offered in a hybrid format, with the option to participate at home via Zoom. Previous attendance at an introductory seminar and at least two zazenkai (all-day sittings), or previous sesshin attendance at another Zen center, are required before attending sesshin. If you are interested in attending sesshin, please contact the office.
Our 2022 sesshin dates are June 1-5 at the ZCD, Sept. 20-25 at Rocky Mountain Ecodharma Retreat Center, and Dec. 3-10 at the ZCD.
Teisho (Dharma Talks)
Teisho means “presentation of the shout”; it is the teacher’s direct presentation of the Dharma. Teisho or Dharma talks are offered on most Sundays 8:00-10:00 a.m. We will begin with two rounds of zazen, followed by a short chanting service and then the talk. Please see our calendar for exact dates.
Recovery Group
Each Wednesday evening from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., we will first have twenty-five minutes of meditation followed by a group discussion supporting recovery from drugs and alcohol. Please note that this is not an AA meeting. All are welcome.
Samu
Samu is work practice: attention in the midst of activity. We meet from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. for a morning of zazen and mindful labor; the morning also includes a tea ceremony and meal eaten in the traditional Zen style of oryoki. The suggested donation for samu is $10; please register in advance via the event page.