From there, to here
Awaken Your Sunday
With Zen Meditation, Wisdom & Connection.
Upcoming Programming
Learn to steady your mind, soften toward yourself, and feel more at home in your life.
Most of us carry a mind that rarely rests, planning, worrying, replaying, judging. Meditation for Everyone is a four-week beginner course for anyone who wants to feel calmer, think more clearly, and understand what’s actually happening in their own mind.
You don’t need any experience, and you don’t need to be Buddhist. Over four evenings, you’ll learn simple, practical techniques drawn from neuroscience, psychology, and centuries of Buddhist practice, and you’ll leave with a steady meditation habit you can actually keep. By the end, you won’t just know about meditation; you’ll have real tools to ground yourself when life is hard, to be kinder to yourself, to focus when you need to, and to feel more connected to the people around you.
Class 1: Introduction to Mindfulness. Start with the foundations: what meditation really is, and how gentle attention to your body and breath can steady you. You’ll learn simple ways to notice your thoughts and feelings without begin swept away by them, and a practical method for telling when you’ve drifted into rigidity or overwhelm, so you can find your way back to feeling grounded and resilient in the face of life’s challenges.
Class 2: What Gets in the Way. Meditation isn’t always easy, and this class looks honestly at what makes it hard. We’ll explain how shame and loneliness keep us from meeting ourselves with any gentleness, and how they quietly cut us off from other people, too. Then you’ll learn the antidote: lovingkindness and self compassion; practices for offering yourself real warmth and extending it outward to others.
Class 3: One-Pointed Attention. Once you’ve settled in, you’ll learn a traditional Buddhist practice for training focused attention; meditation that strengthens concentration the way exercise strengthens a muscle. It’s the kind of practice research links to stronger executive function: the mind’s ability to stay on track, follow through, and resist being pulled in a dozen directions at once.
Class 4: Living a Life of Openness. In the final week, we turn to where a steady practice can lead over time: toward a more open heart, more energy, and a deeper sense of purpose and connection. This is meditation, not as a technique to perform, but as a way of living, centered, present, and at peace.
Pricing:
Nonmember: $135
Member: $110
Join us for a live stream event on our Muddy Waters Substack on Wednesday, August 19th @ 6:00 PM (CST). Christian Baizan Solorzano will interview Rev. Myogetsu and everyone is invited to join the conversation live. You can find our substack site at muddywaters.substack.com.
A 3-hour in-person experience at Zen Life & Meditation Center of Chicago, Aug. 22, 2026 1:00-4:00 pm CDT, 46 Lake St. Oak Park, IL 60302.
Early Bird Special until August 7
Members: Early Bird Price - $30 (Regular $40)
NonMembers: Early Bird Price - $45 (Regular $55)
Workshop Outcomes
Better understand menopause as a whole-person transition: Explore menopause as a transition that can impact body, mind, emotions, energy, and identity. Receive general educational insights and supportive perspectives informed by medical expertise.
Experience meditation practices that support nervous system regulation: Practice guided mindfulness and meditation techniques that support calm, grounding, emotional balance, rest, and self-awareness. Explore how short, sustainable practices can fit into daily life.
Practice menopause-informed movement and yoga: Experience gentle, accessible movement tailored to this stage of life. Explore practices that support nervous system calming, mobility, physical comfort, energy balance, and reconnection with the body.
Cultivate self-compassion and connection: Create space for reflection, self-care, and shared experience. Feel less alone in the challenges and transitions of menopause while reconnecting with inner wisdom and resilience.
Leave with a personalized practice plan: Identify a few simple practices that feel realistic and supportive, with ideas for integrating mindfulness and movement into everyday life.
This Workshop Is For You If You’re…
In perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause
Curious about navigating this life transition with greater awareness, self-compassion, and support
Looking for practical ways to care for body, mind, and emotional well-being
Interested in mindfulness, meditation, gentle movement, or yoga as supportive practices
Seeking a welcoming community of women with shared experiences
Meet your Facilitators
Juri is a certified Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher through Zen Life & Meditation Center of Chicago, a Gestalt-certified coach, and a Positive Intelligence coach. She integrates mindfulness, neuroscience, somatic awareness, and practical tools to help people navigate stress, caregiving, leadership, and life transitions with greater balance and self-compassion. Juri is also the Founder of Interconnected LLC and has over 25 years of experience coaching leaders and supporting transformation in organizations.
Dr. Melanie Jessen is a family medicine physician, certified hatha yoga instructor, osteopathic educator, and certified Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher through Zen Life & Meditation Center of Chicago. For more than 25 years, she has combined patient care, physician education, yoga, and mindfulness practices to support whole-person well-being. Dr. Jessen brings a compassionate, medically informed perspective to menopause, mindfulness, movement, and women’s health.
No Prior Experience Needed
This workshop is open to all levels. No previous experience with meditation, mindfulness, yoga, or movement practices is required. Practices will be gentle, accessible, and adaptable for a range of comfort levels and abilities.
Disclaimer Language
This workshop is intended for educational and wellness purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. General educational perspectives informed by medical expertise will be shared, but participants are encouraged to consult their healthcare providers regarding personal medical questions or concerns.
About
Cultivating mindful awareness through our practice
Zen meditation and the cultivation of mindful awareness form the core of our practice, offering profound benefits such as stress management, deeper relationships, and a richer life experience.
The center is like a breath of fresh air in this chaotic and ungrounded time in history. It has given me an insightful perspective on what is essential in this life we all share.
ZLMC Member
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