Getting started at Monmouth Zen Circle
What is Zen?
Zen is the second largest form of Buddhism practiced in Japan. The word “Zen” is the Japanese transliteration of the Chinese “Chan”, which is itself a transliteration of the Sanskrit “dhyana”, meaning meditation. Thus the word Zen itself carries with it the history of this spiritual practice and religion.
Monmouth Zen Circle practices in the Soto Zen tradition as transmitted to America by the Japanese Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, founder of San Francisco Zen Center, in the late 1950s (Wikipedia article on Suzuki roshi). The tradition was modified somewhat over 30 years of practice at San Francisco Zen’s three practice centers (City Center, Green Gulch Farm, and Tassajara Zen Monastery), and has been further adjusted and simplified by his student, Zoketsu Norman Fischer (Norman’s Everyday Zen Foundation, Wikipedia article on Norman). It has been further modified by Norman’s student and our teacher, John Kotatsu Bailes (John’s One Heart Zen). Zen practice is both dynamic and rooted in tradition, changing form as it integrates with American culture.
Why Practice?
A regular meditation practice (zazen) helps one to develop the capacity to experience life, with all of its ups and downs, while staying rooted in a place of stillness. Over time this can lead to more acceptance and less fear and clinging around the ever changing process of life. As our insight into the workings of our own mind deepens, wisdom and compassion naturally arise.
Orientation to Monmouth Zen Circle
Newcomers are always welcome, and orientations are available by simply showing up at any of our services. This is the most common way to begin. For instance, come to the Community Room in Dean’s Natural Food Market in Ocean NJ at 9:15 am any Saturday mornings. Our morning practice is 9:30 am to noon each Saturday. The morning typically includes sitting and walking meditation and a chanting and bowing ritual.
See the Events page for more details on our regular schedule.
There is no fee for joining us for practice but donations (Dana) are always welcome. If you determine that Zen practice and the availability in Monmouth County NJ is meaningful to you, we invite you to become a Member.
Classes & Retreats
Classes, workshops, and retreats are offered throughout the year. We have several retreats lasting three days annually. These are also listed on the Events page.
Private Interviews
One-on-one interviews with our Teacher, Kotatsu John Bailes, are available when he visits us on the third Friday of the month and the following day. See the Events page. To learn more about private interviews, see the Going Further page. To learn more about our teacher see our Teachers and Leaders page.
Rituals
A description of Zen Forms and comportment are available on the Zen Forms page.
Then What?
Already started and want to know what’s next?
Please see the Going Further page.