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:
Cost of Classes: Donation-Only Programming at MZMC
Following the Buddhist tradition of dana, or giving, MZMC offers all of our programs on
a donation basis. We offer a suggested donation amount to help people understand the
average amount we hope to receive to continue these offerings.
We understand that there are inequities in access to wealth and income. We encourage
those with more capacity for giving to make a donation above the suggested amount to
support those who need to give a smaller amount.
This way of funding our activities is intended to lower accessibility barriers for members of economically marginalized communities, such as, but not limited to people of color, and to all who would be prevented from participating due to financial need. We can all support each other through the practice of dana.
Please register by clicking on the "Register" text below each class. If you do not wish to register online, you can send a check to MZMC or contact the MZMC office by email or phone. Please register five days in advance. Thank you for helping us ensure that all can participate!
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
- Study Groups
- Advanced Classes
- One-to-one Teacher Meetings
Cost of Classes: Donation-Only Programming at MZMC
Following the Buddhist tradition of dana, or giving, MZMC offers all of our programs on
a donation basis. We offer a suggested donation amount to help people understand the
average amount we hope to receive to continue these offerings.
We understand that there are inequities in access to wealth and income. We encourage
those with more capacity for giving to make a donation above the suggested amount to
support those who need to give a smaller amount.
This way of funding our activities is intended to lower accessibility barriers for members of economically marginalized communities, such as, but not limited to people of color, and to all who would be prevented from participating due to financial need. We can all support each other through the practice of dana.
Please register by clicking on the "Register" text below each class. If you do not wish to register online, you can send a check to MZMC or contact the MZMC office by email or phone. Please register five days in advance. Thank you for helping us ensure that all can participate!
Introduction to Zen MeditationFor 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.
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Basic Zen Forms and EtiquetteWould you like to become familiar with the basics of 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.
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Foundations of Practice 2023
Creativity and Zen: Zen and Science
with Tim Burkett and Randy Wedin
Offered online and in person
Wednesdays, May 24 – June 28, 7:15 – 8:45 pm
Suggested donation: $125
Please register five days in advance.
Register
This class examines the relationship between Zen and Science, two powerful approaches humans use to understand their inner and outer worlds. The class will look at several scientific subjects where there are intriguing correspondences between scientific findings and Zen concepts: quantum physics and relativity; ecology and the environment; and psychology, neurobiology, and consciousness. Each class session will include a pre-reading assignment, a teacher presentation, and class discussion.
Buddha By Nature: Exploring the Song of Zazen
with Bussho Lahn
Offered online and in person
Thursdays, July 6 – August 10, 7:15 – 8:45 pm
Suggested donation: $125
Please register five days in advance.
Register
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
Offered online and in person
Wednesdays, August 30 – September 27, 7:15 – 8:45 pm
Suggested donation: $125
Please register five days in advance.
Register
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.
Practice Periods 2023
Practice Periods are an integral part of traditional Buddhism, and trace their origins back to the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, when the nuns and monks would take time during the monsoon seasons of India to devote themselves to intensified meditation, study, and community building.
Participants are expected to attend the eight weekly meetings (Wednesday evenings from 7:15 – 8:45 pm OR Thursday mornings from 7:30 – 9:00 am), commit to regular zazen practice, attend at least one day of retreat (for which there is an additional cost) and one work practice day, read the assigned text(s), and have regular meetings with an assigned practice partner.
Spring Practice Period
with Ted O'Toole and Keido Jeromy Thotland
Offered online and in person
Wednesday evenings, March 29 – May 17 , 7:15 – 8:45 pm (There is also a morning option for those who cannot attend Wednesday evenings: Thursday mornings March 30 – May 18 , 7:30 – 9:00 am)
Suggested donation $150
Please register five days in advance.
Register
The topic of the spring Practice Period will be the Lotus Sutra, using the translation by Gene Reeves. The Lotus Sutra is one of the world's great religious texts and has been highly influential in the development of Mahayana Buddhism. The Practice Period will be led by Ted O'Toole and Keido Jeromy Thotland, and will end with Keido's shuso ceremony. There will be an opportunity for an optional "Tea with the Shuso."
We will study the second half of the Lotus Sutra in the Spring Practice Period. Although we studied the first half in the Fall 2022 Practice Period, that Practice Period was not a prerequisite for this one. In our initial meetings in the spring we will summarize the offerings from Fall 2022 in order for new participants to catch up, and prior participants to be reminded. Anyone wanting to familiarize themselves with the first half of the Lotus Sutra may take a look at pages 1-217 of the book. Please come to class with a copy of the book. If you do not want to purchase the book, you may read the copy on the reserve in the MZMC library.
Fall Practice Period
with Tim Burkett and Alan Eustace
Offered online and in person
Wednesday evenings, October 4 – November 2o, 7:15 – 8:45 pm (Last class is on a Monday.) OR
Thursday mornings October 5 – November 21 , 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. (Last class is on Tuesday.)
Suggested donation: $150
Please register five days in advance.
Register
Topic TBA
Participants are expected to attend the eight weekly meetings (Wednesday evenings from 7:15 – 8:45 pm OR Thursday mornings from 7:30 – 9:00 am), commit to regular zazen practice, attend at least one day of retreat (for which there is an additional cost) and one work practice day, read the assigned text(s), and have regular meetings with an assigned practice partner.
Spring Practice Period
with Ted O'Toole and Keido Jeromy Thotland
Offered online and in person
Wednesday evenings, March 29 – May 17 , 7:15 – 8:45 pm (There is also a morning option for those who cannot attend Wednesday evenings: Thursday mornings March 30 – May 18 , 7:30 – 9:00 am)
Suggested donation $150
Please register five days in advance.
Register
The topic of the spring Practice Period will be the Lotus Sutra, using the translation by Gene Reeves. The Lotus Sutra is one of the world's great religious texts and has been highly influential in the development of Mahayana Buddhism. The Practice Period will be led by Ted O'Toole and Keido Jeromy Thotland, and will end with Keido's shuso ceremony. There will be an opportunity for an optional "Tea with the Shuso."
We will study the second half of the Lotus Sutra in the Spring Practice Period. Although we studied the first half in the Fall 2022 Practice Period, that Practice Period was not a prerequisite for this one. In our initial meetings in the spring we will summarize the offerings from Fall 2022 in order for new participants to catch up, and prior participants to be reminded. Anyone wanting to familiarize themselves with the first half of the Lotus Sutra may take a look at pages 1-217 of the book. Please come to class with a copy of the book. If you do not want to purchase the book, you may read the copy on the reserve in the MZMC library.
Fall Practice Period
with Tim Burkett and Alan Eustace
Offered online and in person
Wednesday evenings, October 4 – November 2o, 7:15 – 8:45 pm (Last class is on a Monday.) OR
Thursday mornings October 5 – November 21 , 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. (Last class is on Tuesday.)
Suggested donation: $150
Please register five days in advance.
Register
Topic TBA
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.
Spring Morning Study Group with Susan Nelson
Offered online and in person
Tuesdays, May 9 – June 13, 7:30 – 9:00 am
Suggested donation: $125
Register
Topic TBA
Fall Morning Study Group with Ted O'Toole
Tuesdays, August 29 – October 3, 7:30 – 9:00 am
Offered online and in person.
Suggested donation: $125
Register
Topic TBA
Spring Morning Study Group with Susan Nelson
Offered online and in person
Tuesdays, May 9 – June 13, 7:30 – 9:00 am
Suggested donation: $125
Register
Topic TBA
Fall Morning Study Group with Ted O'Toole
Tuesdays, August 29 – October 3, 7:30 – 9:00 am
Offered online and in person.
Suggested donation: $125
Register
Topic TBA
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
Please register five days in advance.
Register
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
Please register five days in advance.
Register
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.
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
Please register five days in advance.
Register
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
Please register five days in advance.
Register
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:
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.
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.
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.
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