Class
Beginner’s Mind: A Four-Week Introduction to Soto Zen Practice
Recurrent
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Recurrent
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
“The practice of Zen mind is beginner’s mind. The innocence of the first inquiry—what am I?—is needed throughout Zen practice. The mind of the beginner is empty, free of the habits of the expert, ready to accept, to doubt, and open to all the possibilities.”
— Shunryu Suzuki; Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind
Inspired by Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, this introductory course offers a welcoming entry point for anyone curious about Zen—whether you are new to meditation or returning to practice with fresh questions.
Through guided sitting meditation, participants will learn the fundamentals of posture, breath, embodied attention and working with distractions. We will cover how to practice with core Buddhist teachings in class and through short readings. We will also introduce the forms and rituals that support embodied and communal practice: how to enter the meditation hall, bow, chant, and participate in the rhythms of practice with care and ease. Finally, we will question what it means to practice an Asian tradition here in Brooklyn with our unique identities. And each class will afford ample time for discussion and your questions.
Taken together, meditation, ritual, and study create an opportunity to encounter Zen not as an abstract idea, but as a living practice for meeting this life moment by moment.
Dates — Saturdays, October 3, 10, 17, 24
Time — 1:30–3:30 PM
Registration deadline — October #, 11:59 PM ET
Financial assistance deadline — September ##, 11:59 PM ET
Fee — coming soon
Questions? If you have any questions or concerns about registration, please contact us at info@brooklynzen.org.
Andrew lives in Brooklyn with his lovely wife, their two teenage daughters and their dog. He is a member of Kane Street Synagogue (where he was married) and Brooklyn Zen Center (where he received the precepts in 2017). In his spare time, he enjoys being with family and friends, meditating, being outdoors, reading, exercising, and cooking. Professionally, he is a litigator and certified mediator specializing in commercial dispute resolution. Andrew received a B.A. from Dartmouth College, a Ph.D. in Religion from Columbia University, and a J.D. from Stanford Law School. He feels honored to serve on the BZC Board and support the sangha.
Paul Medlyn has practiced Zen Buddhism for more than three decades, beginning at San Francisco Zen Center in 1989. He practiced at both SFZC-City Center and Green Gulch Farm and has also practiced at Black Mountain Zen Centre in Belfast, Ireland. Since 2022, Paul has practiced at Brooklyn Zen Center, where he participates in the life and practice of the sangha. His training and study have focused on Soto Zen (shikantaza), mindfulness meditation, core Buddhist teachings, and the ways these practices can be brought into everyday life. He approaches teaching as an opportunity to expound the dharma and awaken to the intimacy of buddha nature, together.
Boundless Mind Temple is located in the Parish House of Christ Church Cobble Hill, next to 326 Clinton Street. Enter the driveway on Clinton, go past the scaffolding, and through the double doors. There are two flights of stairs leading to the center, located on the second floor. The closest subway stop is the F/G at Bergen Street.
Our health and wellness policy for all visitors has been updated for our current post-pandemic times while still prioritizing community care.
Please see BZC’s Updated Health & Wellness Policy for more information.
BZC relies on donations to sustain its spaces, teachers, and staff. Learn more about supporting us here.
To request a refund for this program you must notify BZC in writing at least 2 days before the beginning of the program. This supports the organizing effort involved in managing registrations and cancellations. To request a refund, please email info@brooklynzen.org