Meditation

FREE weekly morning meditation Monday thru Friday

Weekly Schedule:

  • Monday through Friday, 7:00–7:45 AM

  • Saturday: 8:00–8:20, Check-in 8:25–8:45 AM

  • Sunday mornings (hybrid), 9:00–9:20, 9:25–9:45 AM

Freestyle Meditation: Whether you are meditating online or in person at the Center, you may arrive and leave at any point during the 45-minute sitting period. You may also take a break at any time that you need to – you’ll just do it at your own time and pace rather than based on a pre-determined schedule. This new format provides additional flexibility for busy schedules and offers an uninterrupted sitting period for those interested in a longer meditation.

For any of these meditations, you may attend in person at our Zen Center located at 46 Lake Street in Oak Park, IL 60302, or online using this Zoom link.

Mindfulness Meditation as a Foundation for Zen-inspired Living

We believe the Zen spiritual journey is based on deep wellness, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. So we teach an entry level course that introduces the many benefits of mindfulness meditation. We incorporate both neuroscience and psychology to give students a fuller context of how mindfulness promotes deep wellness in all aspects of one’s life.

Some of the many benefits neuroscience has found from mindfulness meditation:

  • Stress Reduction: Mindful meditation helps reduce stress by promoting relaxation and fostering a sense of calmness. It can lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, leading to improved overall well-being.

  • Improved Focus and Concentration: Regular practice of mindful meditation enhances cognitive function, including attention and concentration. It trains the mind to focus on the present moment, reducing distractions and increasing ground embodied awareness.

  • Emotional Regulation: Mindful meditation cultivates emotional intelligence by increasing awareness of thoughts and feelings without judgment. This leads to better management of emotions and responses to challenging situations.

  • Better Sleep: Mindful meditation can improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation and reducing racing thoughts. It helps calm the nervous system, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.

  • Pain Management: Mindfulness has been shown to alleviate both physical and pyschological aspects of pain. By directing attention away from discomfort and adopting acceptance and non-judgment enabling individuals to bounce back from setbacks more effectively.

  • Enhanced Relationships: Mindfulness cultivates empathy, compassion, and emotional regulation, which are essential for healthy relationships. By improving communication and empathy, individuals can develop deeper connections with others and navigate confilcts more skillfully.

  • Greater Overall Well-being: Mindful meditation promotes holistic well-being by addressing various aspects of health, including mental, emotional, and physical. It fosters a sense of contentment, gratitude, and inner peace, leading to a more fulfiling and meaningful life.