what is zen?

Zen has been co-opted by our consumer culture in so many ways it’s sometimes difficult to appreciate the meaning and depth of this wisdom tradition. Zen is the practice of opening directly to our lived experience as it presents itself, moment by moment.

Zen is not a way to transcend to somewhere else or hide from the challenges of this world. Zen is a path of waking up to our true nature which can not be attained or lost.

how can i practice zen?

Maezumi Roshi said to practice zen is to appreciate your life. We appreciate our lives through practices such as meditation, services, retreats, study, service, and koan study. Ours is a mundane mysticism rooted in our daily life experiences. Love of wisdom invites us to be on the spot and to practice doing this again and again and again. This is why our primary practice is rooted in meditation.

who can do this practice? Do I have to be a Buddhist?

As we practice here at our Zen Center, this practice is open to anyone regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender or economic class. Our teachings are inclusive and welcome everyone.