Membership

Cultivate a World of Wisdom:
Become a Steward of our Sangha Community

In these turbulent times, the world yearns for the qualities Zen nurtures: stillness in chaos, compassion in conflict, and clarity in confusion. For over ten years the Zen Life & Meditation Center has been a beacon of these transformative teachings. Now, we invite you to deepen your practice and expand our impact by becoming a member.

As a ZLMC member, you’re not just supporting a center, you’re nurturing a living tradition. Rooted in the White Plum Lineage, our teachings bridge timeless wisdom with modern life, offering a path to genuine well-being. Your monthly contribution is the lifeblood that allows us to:

  • Member Discounts – offer our members discounts on most of our offerings

  • Offer Sanctuary – Maintain our serene Oak Park center as a refuge for all who seek peace, from first-time meditators to seasoned practioners.

  • Share Timeless Wisdom – Attract and support our dedicated Zen teachers, ensuring that authentic, transformative teachings continue to flow.

  • Innovate and Adapt: Develop new classes, retreats, and workshops that address the evolving needs of our community, from stress relief to deep awakening.

  • Foster a Global Sangha: Expand our online offerings, bringing Zen insights to those who can’t reach us physically, creating a worldwide community of practice.

  • Open the Dharma Gate for All: Provide scholarships to those facing financial hardships, living our belief that the Dharma is too precious to be limited by finances.

Every membership level makes a difference:

  • Bodhisattva Member: $83/month – Help provide scholarships for others.

  • Peacekeeper Member: $42/month – Keep our teachings alive and bright

  • Pathfinder Member: $20/month – Nurture our communal bonds

Your contribution, at any level, is an act of generosity that ripples out. Each person who finds clarity here, each moment of compassion cultivated, each insight that transforms a life–this is the fruition of your support. In a world that often feels divided, your membership helps us build bridges of understanding. In a time of environmental crisis, it helps us teach mindful stewardship. In the face of personal challenges, it offers a path to resilience and peace.

Join us. Together, let’s tend this garden of awakening, where every mindful breath nurtures a more aware, compassionate world.

Featured
“waking up” by Ann Ehringhaus
“waking up” by Ann Ehringhaus

I had a dream in Krakow.
I was sharing acupressure points
with a Zen meditation group
as we travelled to Auschwitz.
They were the points of grief . . .

Lynn Leinartas Passes
Lynn Leinartas Passes

Long-time ZLMC member, Lynn Leinartas passed away on Nov. 23, 2024 after a terrible accident left her in a coma. Lynn worked as a research librarian, for the past 24 years. She spent much of her time in service to others and helped fund a member scholarship at the Zen Center for many years.

The Obstacles is the Path by Roshi June Tanoue
The Obstacles is the Path by Roshi June Tanoue

Autumn colors of gold and yellow, flecked with red. A brightly shining sun. Schiller Park South exuded a gentle warmth of beauty as my husband and I were walking the dirt path. As we walked, we came upon a number of logs and branches across the path.

“The obstacle is the path,” Joshin said matter-of-factly as we stepped over branches, sometimes using our hands to clamber over a few of the larger logs. He didn’t stop and say, “Oh, I wish this path was clearer” or “Why doesn’t someone cut this log away and clear the path?” We simply did what we needed to do - walk over them.

Hula Sutra by Roshi June Ryushin Tanoue
Hula Sutra by Roshi June Ryushin Tanoue

In the middle of the Pacific, 2,500 miles away from the nearest continent, lies a chain of islands called Hawaii. The weather is mild and sunny with trade winds that often keep the humidity in check. Fragrant flowers and salty sea air embrace you. Colors are vivid; mountains are vast. Amidst this beauty, powerful storms and volcanic eruptions occur. Hula and I were born from this rich environment.  

My mother told me that at age six, I asked her to take me to hula class. She took me to our local Shingon Buddhist temple where Louise Beamer taught hula to children of many ages. Aunty Louise played her ukulele and sang while we danced. Her instruction was gentle. I was entranced.  

Dancers must be in touch with their bodies. We must know where our torso, head, arms, hands, legs, and feet are in time and space. This requires mindfulness and practice. It’s a source of focus and concentration as we learn to tell a story with our bodies.