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:
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
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
More about donation-only programming
Registration closed
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; psychology, neurobiology, consciousness, and and artificial intelligence and chatbots. 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
More about donation-only programming
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
More about donation-only programming
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.
with Tim Burkett and Randy Wedin
Offered online and in person
Wednesdays, May 24 – June 28, 7:15 – 8:45 pm
Suggested donation: $125
More about donation-only programming
Registration closed
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; psychology, neurobiology, consciousness, and and artificial intelligence and chatbots. 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
More about donation-only programming
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
More about donation-only programming
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.
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: The Great Matter of Life and Death: Grief and Loss as a Part of it All
with Susan Nelson, Bonnie Versboncoeur, and Janet Brown
Offered online and in person
Tuesdays, May 9 – June 13, 7:30 – 9:00 am
Suggested donation: $125
More about donation-only programming
Register
This morning study group will use the book The Wild Edge of Sorrow by psychotherapist Francis Weller. Weller provides an essential guide for navigating the deep waters of sorrow and loss in this lyrical yet practical handbook for mastering the art of grieving. The Wild Edge of Sorrow explains that grief and loss have always been communal and illustrates how we need the healing touch of others, an atmosphere of compassion, and the comfort of ritual in order to fully metabolize our grief. Those who have experienced the loss of a loved one or beloved pet, who mourn the ongoing destruction of our planet, or who suffer the accumulated traumas of a lifetime will appreciate this study group. Stories and quotes from the Buddhist tradition will also be shared in this group.
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
More about donation-only programming
Register
Topic TBA
Spring Morning Study Group: The Great Matter of Life and Death: Grief and Loss as a Part of it All
with Susan Nelson, Bonnie Versboncoeur, and Janet Brown
Offered online and in person
Tuesdays, May 9 – June 13, 7:30 – 9:00 am
Suggested donation: $125
More about donation-only programming
Register
This morning study group will use the book The Wild Edge of Sorrow by psychotherapist Francis Weller. Weller provides an essential guide for navigating the deep waters of sorrow and loss in this lyrical yet practical handbook for mastering the art of grieving. The Wild Edge of Sorrow explains that grief and loss have always been communal and illustrates how we need the healing touch of others, an atmosphere of compassion, and the comfort of ritual in order to fully metabolize our grief. Those who have experienced the loss of a loved one or beloved pet, who mourn the ongoing destruction of our planet, or who suffer the accumulated traumas of a lifetime will appreciate this study group. Stories and quotes from the Buddhist tradition will also be shared in this group.
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
More about donation-only programming
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
More about donation-only programming
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
More about donation-only programming
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
More about donation-only programming
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
More about donation-only programming
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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