Mountain Zen Practice Center

Our regularly scheduled meetings are on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. We also offer a Zen Practice Morning on the the 3rd Sunday of each month from 8:30 to 11:30 AM.

1st Tuesday of each month
This Orientation is for folks who are new to meditation and for those with meditation experience who are joining us for the first time. Attendance at an Orientation Evening is required before attending any regularly scheduled event. The evening includes assistance with postures for seated meditation, information about how the group works, opportunities to ask questions, and other information that will allow you to feel at ease while at Mountain Zen Practice Center. If you plan to attend, please note the General Guidelines for the Meditation Hall listed at the bottom of this page. You are welcome to arrive anytime after 6:00 PM; please be prompt as we start right at 6:10 and folks coming late will be asked to return at another time. The full schedule for the evening is below.

1st Tuesday of each month
6:10-6:45 PM – Orientation
7:00-7:25 – Sitting Meditation
7:25-8:10 – Group Discussion—based on selected readings from The Key
8:10-8:30 – Sitting Meditation (evening ends at 8:30 PM)

2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Tuesdays
7:00-7:30 PM – Sitting Meditation
7:30-8:15 – Group Discussion based on selected readings from The Key
8:15-8:30 – Sitting Meditation (evening ends at 8:30 PM)

3rd Sunday of each month
8:30-9:00 AM – Sitting Meditation
9:00- 9:20 – Walking Meditation
9:20-9:50 – Sitting Meditation
9:50-10:30 – Yoga
10:30-11:00 – Sitting Meditation
11:00-11:30 – Group Discussion (morning ends at 11:30 AM)

We are almost always here on 3rd Sundays, but occasionally we will be on retreat, so check this web site before coming. If the Zen Practice Morning has been canceled, there will be a notice on the Home Page if this web site.

The yoga period is offered as an extension of awareness practice. It is at a beginning-to-intermediate level, and no previous experience is necessary. If a pose feels too strenuous, participants are encouraged to move into a more relaxed version of that pose and continue mild stretching. If you have a yoga mat it would be helpful to bring it but not required.

Individual guidance is available either in person or by phone.

Please email or call 828.450.3621 for more information on how it works.

Mountain Zen Practice Center is a nonprofit organization supported by donations. There are no rules or “shoulds” about donations, but people will often ask how much is enough, prompting us to offer the following as a guideline: There is a “right” amount for you to give. Follow your intuition. If you give too much, it won’t feel right. If you give too little, it won’t feel right. Either way, you will have second thoughts. Somewhere between those two points is the middle way and it often changes. One time $100 feels like too much, another time $1,000 doesn’t feel like enough. Whatever the amount, donations are never to be thought of as payment for services.

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• Please maintain silence as you are entering and leaving and within hearing distance of the building.
• Meditation cushions, benches and chairs available. If it would be helpful, feel free to bring any special meditation equipment of your own.
• Please arrive early to give yourself a chance to settle in. You are encouraged to be ready to meditate 5 minutes or so in advance of the first bell. Activities will begin promptly as indicated. If you are late, please meditate outside of the Meditation Hall and enter at the beginning of the next activity.
• The group discussions are facilitated. We ask that participants direct all conversation through the facilitator.
• Please do not wear shorts in the Meditation Hall.
• Please do not wear strong scents.
• You are encouraged to attend the whole evening, but if necessary, you can enter or leave between activities.
• Please check the bulletin board for any general or special announcements.