Signature classes
More than a decade of teaching expertise.
During this time, we have continued to refine and improve the classes. Each class builds on the previous one, so to get the most from these, we encourage you to take them in the order they are given. Begin your wellness journey today!
Our Signature Classes are given in three levels:
FOUNDATIONS OF MINDFULNESS
(next classes begin Sat., Sept. 16 or Tue., Sept. 19)PATH OF ZEN
(next classes begin Tue., Oct. 17)ZEN LIFE SERIES
(next classes begin Sat., Nov. 11)
FOUNDATIONS OF MINDFULNESS
This series will be taught at two different times starting in September.
One series will be taught on Saturdays, from 1:00–2:30 PM, starting Sept. 16 (Sept. 16-Oct.7) (Online Only) Teacher: Karleen Manchanda
The same series will also be offered on Tuesdays, from 7-8:30 pm starting on Sept. 19 (Sept. 19-Oct. 10) (In-person Only) Teacher: Kelly Good
This series consists of four classes introducing beginners to the practice of meditation. In these classes you will learn how mindfulness can help you address everyday sufferings such as stress, anxiety, depression, loss, fear, anger, and other extreme emotional experiences. You will learn how mindfulness can help you water the wholesome seeds that help change habits that do not serve your own well-being.
Saturday online-only series will be taught by Karleen Manchanda
Instructor: Karleen Manchanda (she/her), is a mother, wife and fourth-generation Japanese-American who was born in Hawai’i and has lived on Treaty No. 1 Territory in Canada since 1997. Raised in the Shin Buddhist tradition, she has reconnected to Buddhism through Zen in recent years. An online member and current Center Board Member, Karleen completed her ZLMC teacher training with Roshi Robert Joshin Althouse in 2021. She has studied and practiced mindfulness, meditation and yoga for the past ten years. Karleen holds a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Illinois, and has participated in mindfulness and self-compassion trainings with The Center for Mindfulness Studies in Toronto and UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. She has a strong interest in mindfulness for children, teacher, and families, as well as the connections between Buddhist and Indigenous wisdom. In her own life, mindfulness and meditation have helped to ease suffering and cultivate open-heartedness. As a meditation teacher at ZLMC, her intention is to share these beneficial teachings and practices with others.
Tuesday in-person-only series will be taught by Kelly Good
Instructor: Kelly Junmei Good has been a member of ZLMC since 2015 and took Jukai earlier this year. Kelly is active in the sangha community as the steward of the Knitting Circle and Women’s Circle and has also served on the Center’s Board of Directors. Kelly has a Master’s degree in both Developmental Psychology and Business Administration. She also went through a Master of Education program to teach middle school science in Chicago Public Schools as a first career. Currently, Kelly is a Project Management Consultant for Complex Projects at Heath Care Service Corporation and lives in Oak Park with her husband and two children.
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What does it mean to live our daily lives according to Zen principles? This class will dispel misconceptions about mindfulness and meditation. You’ll learn how mindfulness can benefit many areas of your life. It will get you started with the practice of meditation.
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What gets in the way of meditation from the inside out? This class will help you overcome some of the crippling effects of shame that prevent you from trusting your own direct experience, which is the basis for meditation practice.
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You’ll learn the nuts and bolts of how to meditate in this class, including breathing and posture. Learn how this meditation can improve the quality of your attention which can have a profound impact on your over-all well-being.
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Opening to life is allowing the inconsistencies and ambiguities to be a part of your daily experience. We all suffer in many ways, but opening to our suffering is the way forward to opening our broken hearts.
Prices for Foundations of Mindfulness Series
We rely primarily on the donations and class fees that our sangha offers. We encourage those with more capacity for giving to consider registering at the patron or supporter level. One pass is good for all four classes.
$129 Patron
$119 Supporter
$99 Participant
If you purchase all 3 Signature Classes as a bundle (Foundations of Mindfulness, Path of Liberation, and the Zen Life Series), you’ll save 30% off the regular price. This pass is good for one year. The Signature Classes are taught continuously throughout the year so that you can take them at your own convenience.
$314 Patron
$265 Support
$229 Attendee
PATH OF ZEN (Hybrid)
Weekly classes begin Tuesday, October 17, at 7:00 PM (CST) for four weeks
If you are confused about your life or not sure about your spiritual path, consider taking this second series of our Signature meditation classes. In this Path of Zen series, we will introduce you to the genuine nature of the Zen spiritual path and why this could make an important and meaningful difference in your daily life. In a time of increasing stress and existential crisis in many areas of our society, it’s more important than ever to ground your life in a meaningful spiritual path that helps you be resilient in the face of change and uncertainty.
Instructor: Roshi Robert Joshin Althouse is a fully empowered Zen teacher in the White Plum lineage and a fully ordained Zen Buddhist Priest. Roshi and his wife, Roshi June Ryushin Tanoue, co-founded the Zen Life & Meditation Center. Roshi is the Abbot of the Zen Center and its primary teacher and meditation instructor.
Path of Zen Series Prices
We rely primarily on the donations and class fees that our sangha offers. We encourage those with more capacity for giving to consider registering at the patron or supporter level. One pass is good for all four classes.
$129 Patron
$119 Supporter
$99 Participant
If you purchase all 3 Signature Classes as a bundle (Foundations of Mindfulness, Path of Zen, and the Zen Life Series), you’ll save 30% off the regular price. This pass is good for one year. The Signature Classes are taught continuously throughout the year so that you can take them at your own convenience.
$314 Patron
$265 Support
$229 Attendee
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This class will introduce you to an elegant teaching of Buddha describing the arc of the overall spiritual path called the “Four Foundations of Mindfulness”.
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This class goes to the heart of our Zen teachings addressing the root cause of suffering, the self that we construct.
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In this class you’ll learn about a more dynamic approach to mindfulness meditation called “Open Awareness”.
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It’s time to find out what we mean by “Zen-inspired living”. Trusting your own deepest aspirations will set you clearly on the spiritual path that will take you forward, meeting whatever challenges life throws your way.
JURI SEKIGUCHI
“Zen Life Series is a wonderful experience. It’s a great next step after the Foundations of Mindfulness classes as it allows you to go deeper into the history of Buddhism and its core teachings.”
ZEN LIFE SERIES
Weekly classes begin Saturday, November 11 at 10:00 AM (CST), for four weeks (Nov. 11–Dec. 2). (Hybrid)
Deepen and clarify the spiritual path of Zen and help orient your life around greater meaning and purpose. Learn about the Six Paramitas which are the path of practice of living by the vow of a Bodhisattva. This series will take a deep dive into the genuine spiritual path of Zen. It will explain what a Bodhisattva is and why orienting your life around this profound, universal, and benevolent intention can lead to deeper meaning, purpose, and joy in your life. This is the third series in our signature classes. To get the most out of it, we recommend you take the first two series.
Instructor: Roshi Robert Althouse is a Zen Master, Zen Buddhist Priest, Co-founded of ZLMC and the Abbot of ZLMC. He developed these signature classes ten years ago and have been refining them ever since. He has practice Zen for over 50 years and been teaching for 30 years. He is also a painter. You can see his work at www.althouseart.com. He is married to Roshi June Tanoue, the other Co-Founder of ZLMC.
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Learn how opening to your own awakened heart, what we call “bodhicitta” is the basis for the Zen spiritual path and the teachings of the Six Paramitas, the practices of a Bodhisattva.
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Here you’ll learn about the first two paramitas that will help you trust your natural generosity and support your discipline in strengthening and deepening your meditation practice.
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You’ll learn about the third and fourth Paramitas here. These practices will help you work more skillfully with anger and the places where you get stuck.
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Learn about the last two Paramitas and how they can guide you in establishing a strong foundation for meditation and living a Zen-inspired life.
Prices for Zen Life Series
We rely primarily on the donations and class fees that our sangha offers. We encourage those with more capacity for giving to consider registering at the patron or supporter level. One pass is good for all four classes.
$199 Patron
$149 Supporter
$129 Participant
If you purchase all 3 Core Curriculum series as a bundle (Foundations of Mindfulness, Path of Liberation, and the Zen Life Series), you’ll save 30% off the regular price. This pass is good for one year. The Core Curriculum classes are taught continuously throughout the year so that you can take them at your own convenience.
$314 Patron
$265 Support
$229 Attendee