Workshops

Contemplative Writing Workshop (online only)
with Robert Kanjo Schwoch
August 31–October 5, 2023

Six week series begins Thur., August 31, 2023 @ 7:00–9:00 PM (CST)

A six-week course combining writing instruction with the techniques of mindfulness meditation to generate open, honest, resonant work in all literary genres, including fiction, personal essay, memoir and poetry.

Instructor: Robert Kanjo Schwoch, journalist/author, instructor at the Zen Life and Meditation Center of Chicago, and lecturer emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he taught creative writing and literary journalism across 16 years in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication

This course comprises four weeks of short reading, discussion, and guidance in writing and meditation, followed by a two-week instructional workshop of pieces produced by participants, with the aim of moving work toward publication.

  • What humans want to read: News value and literary merit. Basic instruction in mindfulness and meditation techniques, targeted to writers. Mindful journaling. Listening for what you have to say, “letting writing write”

  • Choosing a subject. Starting with mere description. Being genre-agnostic. Releasing ownership of your ideas.

  • Meditating on subject. Allowing theme to arise. Inflection points. Embracing the “dead end”.

  • Open and closed endings. Letting a piece breathe. Styles of editing. Exercises in summary

  • Each participant may submit a sample of writing composed during the course or started before the course and revised within for discussion by the instructor and fellow workshop members. Emphasis is on constructive evaluation and improvement.

Pricing for Contemplative Writing Workshop

We rely primarily on the donations and class fees that our sangha offers. We encourage those with more capacity for giving to consider registering at the patron or supporter level. One pass is good for all six sessions.

$269 Patron
$249 Supporter
$229 Participant

OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, September 9th from 1:30-2:30 pm

Please join us for this FREE introduction to our Zen Life & Meditation Center, Chicago. Come learn all that we offer and how you can begin participating in our diverse range of classes, workshops and retreats.

Japanese Tea Ceremony with Tea Master Kumi Rannin
Known as “Rakubon”, this is a traditional Japanese tea ceremony

Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 3:00–4:00 pm (CST)

This will be in-person only

Join us for “Rakubon” - a traditional Japanese tea ceremony sitting at a table lead by tea master Kumi Rannin.   

Rakubon is the art of serving tea to guests with a heart of Japanese hospitality.  The art and performance of preparing powdered green tea is called “otemae,” which is defined down to such minute details as the motion of the fingers. 

“Wa, Kei, Sei, Jyaku” form the basic philosophy of Rakubon.  These purify the atmosphere of the ceremony to soothe the guest’s heart. 

和 Wa・・・open each other’s heart.  
敬 Kei・・・respect each other. 
清 Sei・・・purify your surrounding and your spirit. 
寂 Jaku・・maintain a spirit of quietness. 

“Wa-Kei-Sei-Jaku” (harmony, respect, purity and tranquility) are four important aspects of Sado or Chado (tea ceremony) as described by tea master Sen-no-Rikyū in the 16th century.  It incorporates the heart of Zen Buddhism and prizes the aesthetic concept of “wabi sabi,” which centers on transience, imperfection and the beauty of nature.   

Kumi Rannin began studying tea at the Edosenke School in Ibaraki, Japan when she was 15.  She received the name Ryusui-an Kyusetu from her teacher Grandmaster Umebara Shachu when she graduated and was licensed to teach in 2005.  Kumi is also a hula student of Kumu Hula June Ryushin Kaililani Tanoue since January 2020.   

 

Pricing for Tea Ceremony

We rely primarily on the donations and class fees that our sangha offers. We encourage those with more capacity for giving to consider registering at the patron or supporter level.

$25 Patron
$20 Supporter
$15 Participant

Mindfulness for Parents (hybrid)
TBD

We are offering this Mindfulness for Parents program once a month. This is for parents and caregivers of children of all ages. It is facilitated by Kelly June Good, Kathy Dull and Karleen Manchanda.

Calm

  • Changing the way we relate to parenting stress

  • Learning how to attune to and regulate emotions

  • Shifting from automatic reactions to thoughtful responses

Compassion

  • Developing a kind, non-judgmental acceptance of ourselves and our children

  • Taking care of ourselves so we can care for our families

  • Building our capacity to hold space for the joys and difficulties of life

Connection

  • Nurturing attentive and open-hearted relationships

  • Integrating mindfulness practices into daily family life

  • Finding support through sharing in a mindful community

This event is FREE and hybrid but please register below. If you are attending on line, the zoom link is here. Donations are appreciated should you wish to support our mission.

Zazenkai with Roshi June Tanoue
October 7, 2023

This is a one-day Zen workshop. It will be in—person only.

Zazenkai Schedule

Pricing for Zazenkai

We rely primarily on the donations and class fees that our sangha offers. We encourage those with more capacity for giving to consider registering at the patron or supporter level. One pass is good for all four classes.

$199 Patron
$179 Supporter
$139 Participant

Gong Enhanced Sound Journey
A special benefit for ZLMC celebrating Indigenous People’s Day - Monday evening, October 9th from 7–9 pm

Gong Bath is a surprising and unique sound experience that washes through your whole body with dissonance and harmonic sounds, creating spontaneous meditative effects that are often described as deeply relaxing, entrancing, balancing and cleansing. The sequence and combination of these sounds can un-stick places we may not be aware of, and creates a relaxing atmosphere conducive to a stillness within. Come experience a unique intimate voyage through the mystic vibrations of harmonic Gongs sounds, profound poetic expression, guided meditation, and the balancing grounding sonorities of the Native American flute.

Featuring musicians of Mystic Puulsetm:
Jason-Senshin E Kyo Ruby - Gongs
Lisamarie-Luminous Dana of the Heart - Windwalkter - Native American Flutes & Relaxation Guide

Note: Participants may receive Gong Bath-Sound Journeys in the relaxed reclined position of shavasana (on your back, laying on the floor), in zazen, or in a chair as needed. It is recommended that you bring yoga mats, zabutons/zafus, or camping pads, pillows and blankets for your comfort. Please silence all techie devices and leaves shoes at the door.

Lisamarie Windwalker will lead this special event at the Zen Center on Monday night October 9th. She is in the lineage of Thich Nhat Hanh and is also active with the Zen Peacemakers. She and Kathleen Hoetsu Battke co-created the Ecosattva Council Circle & Hive.

Ticket Prices for Gong Enhanced Sound Journey

We rely primarily on the donations and class fees that our sangha offers. We encourage those with more capacity for giving to consider registering at the patron or supporter level. This special event is a fund-raiser for the Zen Life & Meditation Center, Chicago.

$69 Patron
$49 Supporter
$29 Participant

Eight Verses of Training the Mind Workshop (hybrid)

Four week series begins Thur., October 12, 2023 @ 7:00 PM (CST)

This course will focus on one of the most concise teachings of Lojong, or Mind Training. Lojong means to observe and train one’s own mind to develop true compassion and wisdom. Even though this short text is comprised of only eight-four line verses it reveals the essence of the Mahayana path to enlightenment. The instructions offer essential practices for developing the precious heart of bodhichitta by cultivating compassion, wisdom, and love.

The text, originally written by Bodhisattva Geshe Langri Tangpa, an eleventh-century Tibetan Buddhist Master embodies the very heart of dharma by teaching the essence of the Mahayana path to liberation. The fundamental theme of mind training practice is a profound re-orientation of our basic attitudes, habits, and thoughts about ourself and others.

Instructor: Rev. Diane Myogetsu Bejcek is a novitiate Zen Priest and Shuso (Senior Student) at the Zen Life & Meditation Center, Chicago. She completed a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and is now a Licensed Clinical Psychologist working as a Consulting Psychologist with DCFS and social services agencies providing psychological assessments, clinical supervision and consultation for children. She began formal Buddhist study and practice with a Tibetan Buddhist lineage and practiced that for about 12 years, even ordaining there as a Buddhist nun. She later took up Zen training at ZLMC and eventually ordained here as a Zen preist.

Pricing for the Eight Verses of Training the Mind

We rely primarily on the donations and class fees that our sangha offers. We encourage those with more capacity for giving to consider registering at the patron or supporter level. One pass is good for all four classes.

$199 Patron
$179 Supporter
$139 Participant