My zen practice began in the early 70's at the Zen Center of Los Angeles. I had the good fortune of studying with Taizan Maezumi Roshi and was ordained as a Zen priest when I was just 22 years old. After five years at the Zen Center, I went to study with Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche in Boulder, Colorado.
Those were formative years for me. I worked as a care-taker for a retreat property run by Vajradhatu in Southern Colorado. I was involved in the first few years of Naropa University's birth. I helped when His Holiness Karmapa made his first visit to the United States and participated in numerous "Black Hat" empowerment ceremonies that he performed throughout the United States.
Those were formative years for me. I worked as a care-taker for a retreat property run by Vajradhatu in Southern Colorado. I was involved in the first few years of Naropa University's birth. I helped when His Holiness Karmapa made his first visit to the United States and participated in numerous "Black Hat" empowerment ceremonies that he performed throughout the United States.
Services
Retreats
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Retreats are a great way to deepen your spiritual practice, clarify your intentions, and prioritize your commitments. This will be an 7 day meditation retreat held at ZLMC in Oak Park. There are also opportunities to practice virtually through ZOOM, if you wish to participate online please email michael.brunner@zlmc.org after registering.
Online Meditation
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But, as with many things, there is a catch: you have to practice regularly to experience the benefits. ZLMC supports your practice daily through our Commit to Sit offering. Unlike many of the new 'apps' out there, ZLMC is part of a long Zen Buddhist spiritual tradition with a practice that has evolved over the ages.
Sunday Morning Zen
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Join our Sunday Morning Zen program here at ZLMC (if you are fully vaccinated) or online using Zoom! Register on our calendar for any Sunday Morning Zen program and you'll receive a zoom link. If you want to attend in person, just come by. Please bring verification of your vaccination for your first visit.
Yoga for Meditators
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Come and enjoy our monthly yoga class focused on postures to strengthen one's core and alignment for zazen. Beginners are welcome! Generally on the Fourth Saturday @ 1P CDT monthly - sign up on our calendar. Melanie Jessen, DO is an osteopathic family medicine physician. She practices and teaches medicine at West Suburban Medical Center and Midwestern University.
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The Zen Life & Meditation Center's mission is to empower you to live a Zen-inspired life of openness, empathy, and clarity. We work tirelessly to provide inspired dharma classes, workshops, and retreats as a beacon of sanity in a troubled world. We also extend ourselves to help others through our Zen Heart Way program.
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