Frequently Asked Questions

What type of approach does Zen Life & Meditation Center follow in educating participants in the core curriculum classes (Primer Series, Gateway Series and Life Application Sessions)? Our approach to teaching the core curriculum classes does not involve teaching traditional Zen nor do we have any interest in converting people to Buddhism. Rather, our approach is to translate key principles of Zen into a secular context for anyone, regardless of faith, belief, or prior experience, and to encourage participants to learn an practice these principles.

For those seeking a deeper, more traditional knowledge of Zen, advanced study that includes private instruction with Zen Master Althouse is available.

I'm concerned that Zen terms will be used that are uncertain to me. Will the curriculum be easy to understand? Participants find our classes refreshing because we don't use Zen or Buddhist language that is unclear or hard to understand. All of the curriculum is presented in a way that anyone can grasp using clear, easily understood language.

I currently practice yoga. Isn't it the same as Zen meditation? No, not really. While yoga is a wonderful practice, it is not really the same as Zen meditation. Zen meditation involves sitting still in a specific way so that one can cultivate mindfulness. This awareness is then used as a foundation for a deeper inquiry into the nature of one's life and becomes the basis for living a Zen-inspired life of openness, empathy and clarity.

If I follow a Zen-inspired life, will I have to perform rituals, such as bowing, wearing sacred garments, or having a Buddha statue in my home? No. Living a Zen-inspired life has very little to do with specific rituals or collecting more religious objects. Living a Zen-inspired life has to do with the quality of the life you are living now. If you already have a deep faith in a particular religion, living a Zen-inspired life would help deepen and enrich your existing faith. Whatever religious object you have in your home is your personal choice.

Can you explain the connection between Zen and the following health conditions – stress, anxiety, and overall wellness? How will it help me in these areas? A Zen-inspired life, rooted in mindfulness meditation will directly impact and lessen your levels of stress and anxiety. Mindfulness meditation helps strengthen areas of the brain that modify and regulate emotions, making you more resilient in the face of life's challenges, more spacious and less reactive. There is also increasing medical evidence of lowered blood pressure and strengthened immune systems as a result of mindfulness meditation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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