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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Reviews (18)
Michael Craig
Oct 02, 2020
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I have been going for years. Everyone is welcome, including all religious backgrounds, ethnicities, races, genders, ages, and more. Many opportunities for learning and practicing positive life changing skills. Meditation and nice people too. Many events, presentations, and classes. No pressure. Also no prerequisites to participate in most events. Retreats for people ready for a more immersive experience happen throughout the year on various dates.
Sandy R.
Mar 28, 2020
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Started here a few year ago, back when Zen in our culture seemed more popular than mindfulness, before every publishing house was spitting out their monthly book mindfulness on every possible category. I began informally and on the sidelines, but by setting the table with foundational courses like non violent communication, which is a set of ideas about how our minds perceive information based on the unexamined beliefs behind them was my first step in transforming how I naturally, effortlessly respond to life challenges ( most of the time ) -- it taught me I can see the way, but cannot do it
Karen T.
Aug 10, 2018
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Robert Lund
Aug 14, 2017
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I have been attending this meditation center as a member for over twelve years and have found more than I had ever expected. Of course, one gets out of such an organization what one puts into it. The membership is dynamic and engaged in learning about each other and the world around us. The leaders are open to sharing organizational responsibilities with the membership in unique ways.
Jia Senghe Snowlion
Jan 08, 2017
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Julie Kase
Dec 14, 2016
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Wonderful community! I have taken a lot of great classes here. The retreats are very beneficial to my life. There are many events to enjoy and free meditation sits to go to. The people here have helped my practice grow and encourage me to be a better person. I've never met a teacher like Robert before. He is outstanding. June is also an amazing human being. This center is worth going to.
Pat Farrell
Nov 03, 2015
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I signed up for the Primer classes on meditation after coming to Sunday meditation off and on for several months. After taking the first class, I decided to become a member. Robert is an excellent teacher, and presents the material in an understandable and accessible way. It is helpful that there are opportunities to try out some different methods during the class and practice sessions. There is no effort to proselytize anyone to Buddhism. The practice is offered for all, regardless of religious affiliation. I finished the last class yesterday, and have found what I've learned very helpful and
Ron Langstaff
Sep 18, 2015
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I found the Zen Center to be a wonderful place to develop and hone my meditation skills. The center provides an open and inviting environment to learn and meet other people. Instruction is presented in a relaxed, secular, and non-judgmental manner. I’ve also taken advantage of the public meditation sessions, which I found useful for strengthening my meditation practice.
Brian Fojtik
Aug 03, 2015
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I'm really glad that the ZLMC is part of my community. I was excited when they came to Oak Park, I have taken the Primer courses there and found them to be welcoming and supportive for those who have an interest in learning meditation, beginning (or reigniting) a meditation practice and learning to contemplate and live a Zen-inspired life at one's own pace and comfort level.
Both Robert and June are good souls, good teachers and have good senses of humor. The beginning courses are not immersed in barely even touch on dogma. I've found the meditation guidance and instruction to be very helpful
Both Robert and June are good souls, good teachers and have good senses of humor. The beginning courses are not immersed in barely even touch on dogma. I've found the meditation guidance and instruction to be very helpful
Deb B.
Sep 03, 2014
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I took the 4-class Primer Series recently, after having delved into meditation on my own over the past several months. Registering for the classes was always easy, and they seem very organized. The facility is a simple, welcoming corner storefront that provides a comfortable setting to learn and sit.
The class sizes were always just right - about 10 people. Not too crowded, but not empty. Robert Althouse led each class and provided us with an outline for the class's topics. Each class was 90 minutes, which I found to be just right.
Seeing as meditation and mindfulness is a journey,
The class sizes were always just right - about 10 people. Not too crowded, but not empty. Robert Althouse led each class and provided us with an outline for the class's topics. Each class was 90 minutes, which I found to be just right.
Seeing as meditation and mindfulness is a journey,
L. C.
Feb 15, 2014
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Jeanne K.
Jan 27, 2014
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This review is only about the Center's Day of Mindfulness. I attended this day with my friend who was a newcomer to meditation. I have been to many meditation retreats and am not new to mindfulness or meditation. In all of my experiences on weekend retreats, day-long retreats, 10-day retreats, I have never experienced something like what commenced at the Zen Life and Meditation Center. After a delightful dharma talk by a guest speaker, some sitting/walking meditation, and lunch, we had a "working meditation." This included helping the owners of the Center help with their move
Carol F.
Aug 21, 2013
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Renee W.
Jul 26, 2013
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I've tried other practices, but this Zen practice of just meditation fits just right. The classes are simple, structured and supportive and I am finding time in my day to meditate and reaping the benefits. I'm not as worried about life, am more positive and less judgmental, don't "snap" at unexpected stimuli and feel, well, more Zen as I walk through life. We took the first 8 courses over several months and became members because we are hooked. We want to learn more ways to let Zen pervade our lives. (The only reason I didn't give five stars is sometimes the classes
Kara K.
Jul 28, 2012
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ZLMC is an unexpected oasis. For those of you who are looking for some techniques to deal with the stress that comes with life or if you are wanting to embark on a spiritual path, this is the perfect place to go. The co-founders, June and Robert, are sincere, easy to talk to, and exceptionally good at what they do. It is abundantly clear that they practice what they preach and they live a zen inspired life. If you are not sure what to expect my advice is to just go and see what it is like there and you will be happy that you did.
Claire E.
Sep 22, 2011
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Trolling the internet for ideas to help reconnect with a lapsed Meditation practice brought me to ZLMC in Oak Park. Their informative website provided all I needed to get me back on track, including a description of their "Primer Series" of classes for "Living a Zen- Inspired Life". Perfect timing for me in everyway! I enrolled in the series of 4 classes. The curriculum is interesting and well thought out. It provides a good structure for building a meditation practice and more. I am greatly encouraged to have found a place so welcoming, kind and helpful. It is truly just
Jane G.
Oct 20, 2010
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This is a wonderful, peaceful place to join others on their journeys towards inner peace. The atmosphere feels very much like a friend's home. The primer series has been incredibly helpful so far, and there's nothing like sitting zazen with a group of welcoming people in a comfortable, warm place. The back yard with its hula mound and sand garden is lovely, and there is always a nice pot of hot ginger tea to share after a class. Roshi is attentive, gentle and informative, using biology and neuroscience to strengthen the validity of his teachings for anyone who is unconvinced of the benefits
Akiba B.
Jun 01, 2010
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The good folks at this lovely, home Zen center may have figured the whole thing out. They took a look at the mess the world is suffering - the recession, the transitions, the rising violence, the shifting attitudes - and created a curriculum for a "Zen-Inspired Lifestyle" that can help us all regardless of faith, religion, race, gender, and everything else.
I just finished the first series of classes called the Primer Series, which was an introduction to the center itself, the practice, theory, and benefits of meditation. Before my only meditation experience was briefly at the Shambhala
I just finished the first series of classes called the Primer Series, which was an introduction to the center itself, the practice, theory, and benefits of meditation. Before my only meditation experience was briefly at the Shambhala
