Zen Life Programs
Meditation
Given the times we are living in most of us are experiencing increased work loads, job insecurity or other losses that cause increased stress and anxiety. When stress becomes too great it can affect many areas of our life, decreasing our ability to be effective and achieve our personal goals. There is now well established clinical evidence pointing to the many benefits of mindfulness meditation. For instance, it is well established that meditation can lower stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, strengthen emotional balance, strengthen immune system and increase focus and impulse control.
At Zen Life & Meditation Center (ZLMC), mindfulness meditation is the cornerstone of living a Zen-inspired life. It is taught and practiced at ZLMC in a secular way that makes it easily accessible to everyone. ZLMC has developed a unique, core curriculum that teaches beginners meditation, how to practice mindfulness meditation and live a Zen-inspired life.
ZLMC offers two kinds of meditation on a regular weekly basis. Anyone, non-member or member alike can attend these. Everyone is always welcome, and there is no need to register or call ahead. Just come as you are. We suggest you wear comfortable clothing. All of these meditation sessions are FREE to everyone.
Free–style Meditation
ZLMC is a meditation center. We offer free-style meditation every morning, Monday thru Friday, from 6 am to 7 am. This meditation is completely informal. You may come and sit for as short or as long as you want, since there are no structured meditation periods. No bells will be rung. You keep your own time.
Organized Meditation
We also offer organized meditation on Tuesday and Thursdays from 6 pm to 6:45 pm. These meditations are structured and consist of two, twenty minute meditation periods with a five minute walking meditation in between. The beginning and ending of these periods are signaled by the ringing of a bell. We are Chicago's place for mindfulness meditation. Let us be your meditation center.
If you are doing Zen Studies at Zen Life & Meditation Center, either one of these meditation times is an opportunity to see Joshin Roshi privately in dokusan.
To learn more about how to meditate, click here to read our article, "Learn How to Meditate in Chicago"
You may also wish to read our blog posting on 10 Tips for Meditating at Home.
Retreats
Zen Life & Meditation Center has been offering and leading meditation retreats for over 15 years. We conduct short retreats and long retreats. We conduct meditation retreats that are informal, and we conduct retreats that are more traditional (include more formality and services). Whether you are a beginner or an advanced practitioner, you will find something here that meets your needs. We are firmly committed to the practice of doing meditation retreats, and are convinced they can deepen your meditation practice and help rejuvinate and restore your energies that are often strained and stressed in our fast-paced modern world.
You do not need to be a member to attend any of our retreats.
To see scheduled retreat times, click here.
Day of Mindfulness
Zen Life & Meditation Center now offers a one day retreat. This retreat is conducted in silence. It is informal, includes little if any ritual, no robes and no services. It includes meditation (seated and walking), a talk, optional private interviews with teacher, work practice, light body work and a delicious home-made Zen meal and a closing council circle. This retreat is ideal for those of you who have never done a retreat of this kind. It's also ideal for anyone else wanting to spend a day in mindfulness in the pleasant company of other like-minded people. We live in a complex and speedy world.
There are many benefits you will receive from doing a one day retreat like this. This time spent in silence will help you slow down and will give you a fresh way to appreciate your life. If you are feeling overwhelmed, it can help ground you in the present. In this way, it will strengthen your experience of being mindful and help bring clarity and perspective to your life.
Prerequisite: No prior mediatation experience necessary
Cost: $65; $50 for ZLMC Members
To Register: Click Here
Two Day Meditation Retreat
Zen Life offers a two day residential meditation retreat that is conducted in silence. The retreat includes intensive meditation, a morning Buddhist service, daily talks by the teacher, optional private interviews with teacher, work practice, light body work. Meals and lodging are also provided. Almost anyone can do this kind of retreat. You'll find that the safe container we provide for this kind of retreat at the Zen Center makes it easier than you might have imagined.
Prerequisite: An established meditation practice
Cost: $150; $100 for ZLMC Members
To Register: Click Here
12 Step Mindfulness Retreat
This two day residential retreat appreciates the 12 Steps of AA from the perspective of mindfulness awareness. The retreat includes mindfulness meditation (seated and walking), talks and discussions. This retreat is open to anyone suffering from any kind of addiction or anyone wishing to learn and understand more about how mindfulness can be used to help heal the suffering of addiction. The 12 Steps of AA are a set of powerful spiritual principles for living a fulfilled, joyous and sober life. Everyone is invited and welcome.
No 12 Step Retreats are scheduled as of this time.
Seven Day Traditional Zen Retreat (Sesshin)
This is a traditional Zen retreat. It is conducted in deep silence. It is residential and includes three meals a day. Robes are worn, and traditonal Buddist services and rituals are observed. It includes intensive zazen (medtiation), samu (work practice), Teishos (dharma talk) by teacher, dokusan (private interviews with teacher), light body work, and practice of immediacy (optional).
Prerequisite: An established meditation practice
Cost: $525; $420 for ZLMC Members
Advanced Zen Studies
For those wishing to explore a deeper Zen training, ZLMC offers complete Zen studies with it's teacher, Roshi Robert Joshin Althouse. This includes doing precepts study, taking the precepts (Jukai), koan study, regular dokusan (interviews) between teacher and student, practicing services and rituals and advanced leadership.
For more information on the nature of the teacher-student relationship, please click here.
ZLMC's Zen Leadership Training will take place for six months from April 7–September 30, 2012. Michael Shikan Brunner will be the Head Trainee. This training is only open to Advanced Members and is offered each year to them at no cost. This year, the training will begin with an Opening Ceremony on Saturday, April 7 at 1:00 pm. All participants are asked to attend this event.
All students entering into Zen Studies are asked to consider beginning classes in the Core Curriculum. It is not necessary to have completed the curriculum to become an Advanced Zen Member and begin studying with Joshin Roshi.
To read some articles by Joshin Roshi, please click here.
For more information, pleaes call our office at 708.689.1220 or email info@zlmc.org.
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