Overview

American society today is facing serious and chronic problems on many levels. As political, social and economic institutions becoming increasingly dysfunctional, problems such as stress, burnout, cynisism, blue and white collar crime, overcrowded prisons, rampant unemployment, loss of homes and retirement savings heighten and intensify the feelings of fear, stress and worry.

Stress, for example, is a pervasive and chronic problem in America today. In 2007, an American Psychological Association study found that three-quarters of Americans experience symptoms of stress in a given month and that one-third of Americans feel they are living with extreme stress. It is  a major contributing factor directly or indirectly to coronary artery disease, cancer, respiratory disorder, accidental injuries, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide, the six leading causes of death in the United States. Stress can aggravate other existing conditions such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, herpes, mental illness, alcoholism, drug abuse, and family conflict and violence. At work, stress often can lead to loss of productivity and low morale. 

Simple put, stress is a state of tension that arises from both external and interal sources. It is both additive and cumulative. It adds up over time until a crisis is reached and physical and psychological symptoms begin to appear. Common physical symptoms of stress include: muscle tension, headaches, low back pain, insomnia and high blood pressure. 

Overcoming Obstacles Series

Because of these widespread problems in our society today, the Zen Life & Meditation Center of Chicago has developed a new set of offerings called the Overcoming Obstacle Series (OOS). Each series of 4-5 classes will have a theme. And unlike the Core Curriculum, you have the choice of taking any of the classes you want. They are not sequential; each class is designed to stand on its own. Of course, we still strongly recommend that you consider taking the series to get the maximum benefit of learning, but it's solely your decision.

The theme for the first series that we offer is "Overcoming Stress, Worry, Anxiety and Anger". These five sessions are spaced out over an eight week period on Saturdays, allowing you greater flexibility in scheduling your attendance. Not only does this seem like a chronic problem in our society right now, but the results of a survey we sent to many of you earlier this year showed that you agree. 

Series 1: Overcoming Stress, Worry, Anxiety and Anger

Class 1: Taking Care of the Self - Saturday, April 13, 10-11:30 am

Do you find that your life seems to be out-of-balance? Do you lose track of taking care of yourself when you are under pressure or feel overwhelmed? Do you lose sleep and find yourself exhausted and irritable the next day? If so, this class can offer you a way to restore the balance you need to sustain your life energies. It will help you learn how to regulate and discern what you need to do to maintain good health and well-being in the face of change and uncertainty. By teaching you how to be more mindful of the signals your own body is giving you, you'll learn ways to monitor your stress levels and how to take charge of your happiness. The class will include a mindfulness body scan, some gentle stretching, tips and advice on good nutrition, diet and exercise. The class will introduce life style changes that can help you slow down, feel more grounded, and ensure that you get a sound and full nights sleep so that you can face the next day with renewed energy, focus and clarity. 

Class 2: Disarming Negative Thoughts and Emotions - Saturday, April 27, 10-11:30 am

When difficulties arise do you habitually stress, worry and obsess over them? Are you plagued by a busy and self-defeating mind that won't stop? Do you struggle with strong emotions such as anger? Does your inner critic tire you out and wear you down? If so, this class will help you begin approaching your thoughts and negative emotions more mindfully. You'll learn how to acknowledge and approach these experiences without getting trapped by them. The class will include a loving-kindness and a guided meditation that teaches you how to calm your overactive mind and transform your toxic emotions into a wiser, healthier and happier outlook for yourself.

Class 3: Resolving Differences with Others Mindfully - Saturday, May 11, 10-11:30 am

Are you terrified of conflict? Do you avoid it at all costs? Do conflicts and disagreements with others create stress and anxiety in your life? Unfortunately, avoiding conflict can cause as much stress as facing it. This class will offer you a way to approach conflict with more confidence that lessens stress in you and with others. The class will train you to use speech wisely and to listen deeply and mindfully to others. The class will include powerful Nonviolent Communication exercises and techniques for disarming anger in yourself and others, thereby facilitating clearer and more empathic communication that lessens stress for yourself and others. 

Class 4: Conquering Fear of the Unknown - Saturday, May 25, 10-11:30 am

Have you recently passed a major milestone in your life? Perhaps you've lost a loved one or have been disgnosed with a life-threatening disease. Are you facing the loss of a job or home or living alone after years of family life? Life can throw you some unpleasant curves. Given the natural tendency of imagining the worst case scenario, the fear of the unknown looms its head and paralyzes you with anxiety. This class will show you how to approach your fear and remain present with those experiences in your life that are uncertain and ambiguous. A Big Mind process will help you put your life back into perspective and begin facing the unknown with more fearlessness, humor, confidence and flexibility.

Workshop: Overcoming Stress, Worry, Anxiety and Anger, Sat., May 26, 10-11:30 am

This workshop will bring together and consolidate the teachings and practices presented in the previous four classes of this series. It will emphasize the power of applying mindfulness awareness to all areas of our daily lives from our personal experience to our interpersonal relationship and to our relationship to the larger society and world around us. The workshop will review and strengthen effective practices and solutions for addressing the chronic suffering of stress, worry, anxiety and anger that is so pervasive in our culture today. 

Class Leaders

Classes will be taught by Zen Master Robert Althouse. Althouse has been practicing Zen for over 40 years and teaching for 20 years. You can find out more about him by clicking here. Reiki Master, June Tanoue will help teach the first class of this series, "Taking Care of the Self" since she has a wealth of experience and wisdom in this area. 

Prerequisites

To take this series of classes, you must have completed the Primer and the Gateway series of classes. The Overcoming Obstacles Series utilizes principles introduced in the Core Curriculum and assumes participants have familiarity with them. 

Cost

$25/class, $110/series for nonmembers and $100 for members.

Register for a Class Today

Class 1: Taking Care of the Self (April 13)
Cost: $25/class - Register Now

Class 2: Disarming Negative Thoughts and Emotions (April 27)
Cost: $25/class - Register Now

Class 3: Resolving Differences with Others Mindfully (May 11)
Cost: $25/class - Register Now

Class 4: Conquering Fear of the Unknown (May 25)
Cost: $25/class - Register Now

Workshop: Overcoming Stress, Worry, Anxiety and Anger (May 26)
Cost: $25/class - Register Now

Register for the Series Today

$110 for Series for nonmembers,$100 for Series (members)Register Now