Learning More to Support Zen Practice

MZMC classes support and encourage meditative practice, compassion, and joyful living. Our course curriculum provides structured support for exploration of Buddhist teachings to clarify the fundamental questions of our lives. On this page, you will find information about:
  • Beginning Classes
  • Foundations of Practice Classes
  • Practice Periods (click for this year's spring and fall offerings)
  • Study Groups
  • Advanced Classes
  • One-to-one Teacher Meetings

Begin with These Introductions

Introduction to Zen Meditation

For those who are curious about meditation, or would like to test the waters, Introduction to Zen Meditation is an introductory series of talks offered each week. Each session includes meditation instruction and teaching on how meditation and Zen relate to daily life.​

Basic Zen Forms and Etiquette

If you are interested in traditional Zen forms: bows, entries and exits, walking meditation, etc? This offering is designed for anyone who'd like an overview of forms to become more familiar and comfortable joining us for morning zazen or one of our sesshins.

Classes Remaining in 2023

Foundations of practice 2023
​Buddha By Nature: Exploring the Song of Zazen
with Bussho Lahn
About 250 years ago, a Zen teacher Hakuin wrote a teaching poem about meditation and called it "The Song of Zazen."

This sweet little poem describes our zazen as nothing short of the expression and assurance of our own original enlightenment, the divinity at the core of our humanity. Chanting this poem for a long time has taught me a lot, and I wish to share some of what it has offered me by offering it to you, too. We’ll spend six wonderful weeks working with some of what this simple and profound text has to offer us, using the vehicle of our everyday lives.
​Each week will feature an assigned reading, an experiential exercise, time for discussion and exploration, a teaching presentation designed to support and facilitate deeper engagement, and handouts of all related material for further individual exploration.

Themes of growth and compassion will be explored, as well as enlightenment. A commitment to a daily meditation practice is requested. We’ll use the book Singing and Dancing are the Voice of the Law.
​Four Noble Truths: How do we walk the path from suffering to peace?
with Ben Connelly
The first and most fundamental teaching of the Buddha is the Middle Way: the alleviation of suffering through compassionate action, meditation and mindful living. The Four Noble Truths of dissatisfaction, its cause, its cessation, and the path to end it explain how and why to practice this Middle Way. In this class we will investigate how suffering is caused by desire and aversion, by wanting things to be other than how they are, and how we can follow the Buddhist Eightfold Path to move towards a deep and quiet joy.
morning study groups 2023
These are advanced study groups open to those who have been in a previous study group at MZMC or by permission of the teachers.
​Fall Morning Study Group with Ted O'Toole
The Mountains and Waters Sutra: A Practitioner's Guide to Dogen's "Sansuikyo"
Fall morning study group will use the book The Mountains and Waters Sutra: A Practitioner's Guide to Dogen's "Sansuikyo," by Shohaku Okumura. This sutra is believed by many to be among Dogen's most beautiful and poetic writings. Meetings will follow a group discussion format. Although Dogen often at first may seem impenetrable, the insight that can arise when studying him with a roomful of people can be remarkable.

This is an advanced study group. Those who have not previously participated in a practice period or more than one class at MZMC should talk to the teacher about permission to be part of the group. 

The sutra itself is only 16 pages long, but Rev. Okumura's commentary is lengthy. Participants are encouraged to read the commentary, but those who wish may read it only in part, or read the sutra only.

MZMC will not be ordering hard copies of the book. Prior to the first class, please obtain your own copy. Also prior to the first class, please read the entire sutra (pp. 23-36), and, if you wish, the material that precedes the sutra in the book. ​
advanced classes 2023
Yogacara and Buddhist Psychology:
​How do we work with the mind?
with Ben Connelly
  • Offered online and in person.
  • Wednesdays, January 4 – February 8, 7:15 – 8:45 pm
  • Suggested donation: $125
  • More about donation-only programming
  • Please register five days in advance.
Yogacara, or Mind-Only, Buddhism emphasizes psychological transformation through Buddhist practice. The psychological insights formed by this tradition two thousand years ago still ring true, and the Yogacara principle that each aspect of our consciousness can be transformed into enlightened activity. This class will focus on the teachings in Ben Connelly's new book, Vasubandhu's "Three Natures.” Please arrive at the first class meeting with a copy of the book, which is available on the front porch at MZMC.
Dogen Zuimonki
with Tim Burkett and Bill Woywod
  • ​Offered online and in person.
  • Wednesdays, February 15 – March 22, 7:15 – 8:45 pm
  • Suggested donation: $125
  • More about donation-only programming
  • Please register five days in advance.

​Dogen Zenji, founder of our Soto school of Zen, was possessed with an astonishing combination of poetic facility, and spiritual and philosophical insight. This class will focus on his Zuimonki, which is distinguished from his other works by its straightforward language, humor, and practical guidance regarding meditation practice and day-to-day life. We will be using Masunaga's A Primer of Soto Zen, please arrive at the first class with a copy. ​
​ONE-TO-ONE MEETINGS (DOKUSAN AND PRACTICE MEETINGS)
Do you have questions about Zen? Do you want advice about establishing or maintaining a meditation practice? Does sitting present you with physical challenges? Are you struggling to apply your practice in your daily life? Do you wonder if you're really ready to do a retreat?

Zen Center offers meetings with experienced Zen teachers to address these kinds of questions. Teachers at Zen Center very much enjoy getting to know other Zen practitioners and encouraging others in their practice. Two kinds of meetings are offered:
  • Dokusan is a meeting with Guiding Teacher Ted O'Toole, or a Senior Teacher (Tim Burkett, Ben Connelly, Bussho Lahn, and Susan Nelson). Ted O'Toole meets in dokusan with Zen Center members; the Senior Teachers meet with both members and non-members.
  • Practice Meetings are opportunities to meet with the Center's teachers. Anyone, members or non-members, can sign up for practice meetings.
Both types of meetings are simply opportunities for conversation. Topics might include zazen instruction, appropriate sitting posture, ritual, Zen Center programs, applying practice to daily life, or finding ways in which the practice can be helpful in difficult situations. It's also perfectly appropriate to sign up for a meeting just to get to know a teacher better. Repeat visits, to the same teacher or another teacher, are welcome. All matters disclosed in dokusan and practice meetings are kept confidential.

If you would like to meet with a teacher, contact the office to arrange a time. You may ask for a specific teacher or have one assigned to you.