Practice
Opportunities for practice.

MZMC offers many different kinds of practice opportunities, including:
daily periods of sitting meditation (zazen) short morning services, which include chanting of the Heart Sutra weekly lectures by head teacher Karen Sunna, Norm Randolph, or a visiting lecturer talks and activities especially for children and families ongoing discussion groups work days, where volunteers put their practice into action by assisting with building maintenance and repairs, mailings, garden work and other activities

All of these are free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome.
MZMC also offers special events:
series of lectures and workshops on special topics
intensive meditation retreats (sesshins) lasting from one to seven days
special performances, gatherings and activities

Fees are charged or donations requested for events such as these.
Financially supporting members of MZMC are eligible for discounts on sesshin fees.

Click here for our weekly practice schedule

Click here to learn about Buddhist Basics

March
3 Norm Randolph
10 Karen Sunna
17 Darin Smith
24 Karen Sunna
31 Venerable Genden Gyatso

April
7 Karen Sunna
14 Norm Randolph
21 Karen Sunna
28 Marilyn Habermas-Scher

May
5 Karen Sunna
12 Norm Randolph

Zen, Meditation, and the Transformative Potential of Silence
May 17--19
Click here for more info

Mindfulness in Daily Life
Mondays, 7:30-8:30 pm
Cost: donation
This is a forum to experience the support of meditating in a group setting.
After half an hour of sitting meditation, there is an opportunity for half an hour of informal discussion. It is an excellent place to be if you are considering beginning a sitting practice as well as a place to maintain ongoing practice. No pre-registration required, but please make an effort to be punctual.

Introduction to Zazen
Sundays at 8:30 am with Rev. Norm Randolph:
March 10 and 24; April 21; May 5 and 19
Thursdays at 7 pm with Lee Lewis
February 28, March 28, April 25, May 23, June 27
Cost: donation. No registration required. Just arrive a few minutes before
the class.
Learn the basics of zazen, or sitting meditation. Zazen is the total
concentration of body and mind in an upright cross-legged sitting position,
and is the basis of Zen practice. If you plan to attend the Sunday class,
please stay for the public lecture at 10 am and tea and social time
following. This is a good opportunity to meet the Zen Center community.

Introduction to Zen Meditation
4 Tuesdays beginning March 26 6:30-8pm
Teacher: Karen Sunna
Cost: $65
This course will focus on meditation as the central practice of Zen and on
emptiness (sunyata) as its core. We will study basic Buddhist meditation
as taught by Chinese, Japanese and American Zen teachers. Text to be
determined.

Vegetarian Sushi
Sunday April 14th 12-2pm
Cost: $40 limited to 6
Teacher: Yuko Okumura
Yuko Okumura works at the Linden Hills Co-op and started the practice of
making sushi for sale there. Yuko is a popular teacher of sushi-making at
the Co-op, and her vegetarian sushi has been very well received in the
community.

FIMO Class
Saturdays, April 20 and 27
Teacher: Edwin Beylerian
Cost for each class: $60
The instructor is an artist and a member of MZMC. In his work he frequently
uses the polymer clay FIMO as well as other brand names. Here is a chance to learn to work with this clay-like substance, which supports deep, rich
colors and is frequently used to make objects with mosaic-like patterns. You
may sign up for one or both workshops.
First session: Basics, polymer clay properties, applications, handling
cautions, tools, techniques, tempering, modeling, molding, blending colors,
cane technique, armatures, including hands on for each item.
Second session: Critique of week's projects, building complex pieces, fields
of interest: realistic sculpture, jewelry and ornament, abstract pieces,
working on the clay after it's cured (i.e. baked), combining with other
materials.

The 6 Paramitas and Renewing our Vows in Daily Life
6 Tuesdays beginning April 23 6:30-8pm
Teacher: Karen Sunna
Cost $90
The Paramitas are known as the spiritual perfections of a Bodhisattva.
Together we will discuss how we can live our lives more fully in the
practice of generosity, morality, patience, courage, meditation and wisdom.
Text to be determined.

Sesshin
A sesshin is an intensive meditation retreat which includes zazen, oryoki
meals, services, mindful work and lectures. It provides opportunities for
more formal practice. Oryoki instruction will be offered as part of the
sesshin orientation. Meals are vegetarian. Please provide information
regarding food allergies and related concerns upon registration.

Buddha's Birthday Sesshin
Friday, April 5 at 7 pm to Sunday, April 7 at 4pm
Cost: $35 per day for MZMC members; $45 per day for nonmembers
Leader: Karen Sunna

Hokyoji Sesshin
Monday June 3rd, 4 pm through Sunday June 9th, 12 noon.
Cost: $35 per day for MZMC members; $45 per day for nonmembers
Leader: Karen Sunna