Events
The Chicago Zen Meditation Community is a Soto Zen Buddhist group led by Rev. Myoshi Thomson. We offer seven meditation opportunities every week that are open to all: Monday evenings, every weekday morning, and Saturday mornings. Each meeting is an opportunity to practice zazen (Zen meditation) and many will include a dharma talk and discussion.
Emerging from the worst of the pandemic, we are committed to having hybrid meetings. The in-person meetings take place at 1460 W Chicago Ave (entrance on Greenview) and our meetings are also accessible by Zoom. If you would like to participate, please email us for up-to-date information.
If you are new to Buddhist study and practice, we ask that you participate in zazen instruction before joining a meeting. An email telling us that you would like to schedule an individual instruction would be greatly appreciated. We look forward to sitting with you.
Our COVID Protocols
Please send a photo of your vaccination card to Myoshi prior to your first in-person meeting. If you are not yet fully vaccinated, please join us on Zoom.
Seating in our zendo will be spaced to provide a bit more distance. We will ventilate our room with fresh air and we will also use HEPA level filtering.
Occasionally, we may introduce other mitigation measures, such as CO2 monitoring (an indicator of air circulation), mask-wearing or limiting chanting. We will be guided by recommendations from the CDC and prevailing city and state requirements, and we would like to hear from you about what you are comfortable with. Please make any suggestions you feel would be helpful.
Emerging from the worst of the pandemic, we are committed to having hybrid meetings. The in-person meetings take place at 1460 W Chicago Ave (entrance on Greenview) and our meetings are also accessible by Zoom. If you would like to participate, please email us for up-to-date information.
If you are new to Buddhist study and practice, we ask that you participate in zazen instruction before joining a meeting. An email telling us that you would like to schedule an individual instruction would be greatly appreciated. We look forward to sitting with you.
Our COVID Protocols
Please send a photo of your vaccination card to Myoshi prior to your first in-person meeting. If you are not yet fully vaccinated, please join us on Zoom.
Seating in our zendo will be spaced to provide a bit more distance. We will ventilate our room with fresh air and we will also use HEPA level filtering.
Occasionally, we may introduce other mitigation measures, such as CO2 monitoring (an indicator of air circulation), mask-wearing or limiting chanting. We will be guided by recommendations from the CDC and prevailing city and state requirements, and we would like to hear from you about what you are comfortable with. Please make any suggestions you feel would be helpful.
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Monday Evening Zazen
When Monday evenings at 7:00 pm Where Hybrid meeting - email for specifics [ Directions ]Details This weekly meeting of zazen, chanting, and dharma talk is open to all. Meditation starts promptly at 7:00 pm. Zazen instruction for newcomers to Buddhist study and practice is recommended before attending, and it is also offered at 7:00 pm Mondays -
Weekday Morning Zazen
When Weekdays at 6:15 am Where Zoom.us - email for the link [ Directions ]Details We meet every weekday morning at 6:15 for a half hour of zazen. All are welcome; an email about your interest in joining us would be appreciated. -
Saturday Morning Zazen
When Saturday mornings at 8:00 am Where Hybrid meeting - email for specifics [ Directions ]Details We meet for a half hour of zazen each Saturday morning at 8:00 am.
About once a month, zazen is followed by a social time until 9:00.
On alternate Saturdays, zazen is followed by a meeting of the Dogen Study Group. This seminar requires preregistration.
On the last Saturday of the month, beginning at 9:00 am, we have an extended Zazenkai. This meeting includes two periods of zazen, kinhin and a dharma talk and disussion. -
Mindful Parenting Group
When Wednesdays at 1:00 pm Where Hybrid Meeting - email for details [ Directions ]Details This every-other-week meeting begins with a period of zazen and continues with a discussion of how caring for our families can be supported and guided by our zen practice.
On alternate weeks, the will be one 40 minute zazen, and reading of Dogen"s "Universal Recommendation of Zazen." -
Wednesday Zen Study Group
When Wednesday afternoons, 2:15 pm to 3:30 pm Where Hybrid meeting - email for specifics [ Directions ]Details In these meetings, we study the zen writings of contemporary teachers. Because of its seminar-like nature, this group is best for people who can commit to attending regularly. If you are interested in joining us, please email Myoshi through our Contact page.