Upcoming Events
Introduction To Practice Wednesday November 4th 7:00 - 8:00pm
Our Introduction to Practice will follow a format similar to our regular Wednesday evening practice, with two shorter rounds of sitting meditation and explanations and guidance along the way. It’s a chance to become familiar with the structure of our practice, ask questions, and feel more comfortable joining the community. Regular attendees are encouraged to join us, too! Returning to the basics can be a valuable way to reconnect with your own practice, and your experience and insights may be just what a newer practitioner needs to feel welcome and supported. Whether you’re brand new to Zen practice or have been sitting for years, we hope you’ll join us!
1 Day Meditation Retreat Saturday November 14th 7:30am - 3:30pm
Led by Dennis Duermeier JDPSN. Dennis began practice with the Kansas Zen Center in 1981. He was involved in buying and renovating the first residential Zen center in Kansas and later became its abbot. In 2000 he received Inka (authorization to teach) from Zen Master Seung Sahn. Suggested donation: $25, contact us if you need the fee reduced or waived. Register for the retreat by clicking the link here.
Introduction To Practice Wednesday December 2nd 7:00 - 8:00pm
Our Introduction to Practice will follow a format similar to our regular Wednesday evening practice, with two shorter rounds of sitting meditation and explanations and guidance along the way. It’s a chance to become familiar with the structure of our practice, ask questions, and feel more comfortable joining the community. Regular attendees are encouraged to join us, too! Returning to the basics can be a valuable way to reconnect with your own practice, and your experience and insights may be just what a newer practitioner needs to feel welcome and supported. Whether you’re brand new to Zen practice or have been sitting for years, we hope you’ll join us!
1 Day Meditation Retreat & Precepts Ceremony Saturday December 12th 7:30am - 3:30pm
Led by Rebecca Otte JDPSN. Rebecca co-founded the Prairyerth Zen Center in Topeka, Kansas. In December of 2020, she received inka. Rebecca raised two wonderful sons and is supported by a loving and devoted husband. Now retired from nursing, she has dedicated herself fully to the practice, study, and teaching of Zen in the Kwan Um Zen tradition. This retreat will include a precepts ceremony. If you are interested in taking precepts, please inquire in person at the Zen Center. Suggested donation: $25, contact us if you need the fee reduced or waived. Register for the retreat by clicking the link here.
Our retreats typically occur the second Saturday of each month. We host both meditation retreats and work retreats. Meditation retreats begin at 7:30am and last until about 3:30pm. They consist of sitting, walking, and chanting meditation, a dharma talk, and private interviews with the attending Guiding Teacher. A vegetarian lunch is provided for those in attendance. We ask those attending to donate $25 dollars on the day of the retreat. Working retreats consist of light chores and maintenance projects around the zen center, such as sweeping the meditation room, washing the windows, vacuuming, and so on. No meals are provided on work retreats, but those attending are welcome to bring a bag lunch or light snacks.