UNIVERSITY UNITARIAN CHURCH

Zen Meditation and Study

A Practice of Awakening

UUC provides a convenient and supportive environment to meditate and learn about Zen Buddhism with others. You’ll encounter regular participants who have an established practice in Zen or another contemplative tradition, and you’ll also meet first-time or occasional attendees, some of whom are just beginning a meditation practice. Most attendees are UU, some are not. All are welcome.


Zen practice at UUC is offered several times throughout the week:


  • Tuesdays and Fridays, 10 am – noon (on-site & online) – Zazen, dokusan, check-in, study & discussion
  • Early Morning Zen Tuesday through Sunday, 6:30 -7:00 am (online only) – Zazen, Verse of the Kesa, Four Vows
  • Sunday evenings, 6:30-7:45 pm (online only) – Zazen, recorded Dharma Talk, check-in & discussion


Day-long and multi-day practice opportunities are also offered from time to time, usually in concert with Empty Moon Zen - a larger UU friendly sangha with which we are affiliated. These events will be announced through the group's email list, UUC News and Calendar.


Drop-in attendance is welcome for all practice periods. Come when you can! You do not have to be a Zen practitioner, a Buddhist, an experienced meditator, or a Unitarian Universalist (UU) to attend. There is no charge to participate.


Join our Zen Meditation & Study group in UUC Connect (login required) to find Zoom links, or contact Janine Larsen for connection info.

UUC CONNECT

Our current Dharma Text:


Instructions to the Cook: A Zen Master's Lessons in Living a Life that Matters, by Bernie Glassman and Rick Fields.


 


General Information about our UUC Zen meditation group:


(photo: 2023 Sesshin   Caption: Ready for Summer 2023 Commuter Retreat)


Our two-hour meditation & study group on Tuesdays & Fridays are the most widely attended of our various practice periods (briefly outlined above). It includes simple opening and closing chants, two periods of silent sitting, walking meditation, refreshment, and teaching. (View or download our liturgy book so that you can join us – or just listen if you prefer.) Most often, the group explores teaching through a book; sometimes there may be a dharma talk or other discussion.


Dress comfortably. Most participants sit on chairs, which are provided. Floor sitting supplies are also available, or bring your own cushions or meditation bench – remove a chair and replace it with your supplies. A variety of sitting supports and light blankets are also available for your comfort.


Arrive 5-10 minutes early if possible. Choose your seat and settle into your posture. If you arrive after the sitting period has begun, please enter quietly and take any available seat. At the beginning of the first period, the practice leader will ask if anyone needs meditation instruction, and may lead a guided meditation for all or offer a separate room for those who wish assistance. Otherwise, simply follow this general advice for meditation practice:




Sitting still, just pay attention to what is going on around you and within you. Notice your breathing or other sensations in the body. Allow curiosity to arise in its own time. Be gentle with yourself. Just start again when the mind wanders. 

– Rev. Janine Seitetsu Larsen, Osho
Bright Cloud Zen Resident Priest

Empty Moon Zen Teacher


(Photo: SeitetsuOsho)


Bright Cloud Zen students and teachers after May 2019 retreat

(Photo: Summer 2021 Sesshin)

This group sits as Bright Cloud Zen, an affiliate of the Empty Moon Zen Sanghas and a member sangha of the UU Buddhist Fellowship. Bright Cloud Zen practice groups are supported by Rev. Janine Seitetsu Larsen, our Resident Priest and a transmitted Teacher with Empty Moon Zen. Janine is also UUC’s Director of Ministries.


The Bright Cloud Zen practice groups regularly offer precept study for those who wish to receive the first five precepts (sewing the Wagessa and vowing to live ethically), or Jukai (sewing the Rakusu and committing to the 16 Bodhisattva Precepts and the Empty Moon lineage). Talk to Janine to learn more about receiving the precepts.


Opportunities to sit with Bright Cloud Zen Sangha (virtually or in-person)


  • See top of page for weekly practice periods.
  • See the link to Empty Moon Zen, below, for additional practice periods offered by our affiliated Empty Moon Zen sanghas.
  • Saturday Zazenkai: We join the Empty Moon Zen Sanghas for monthly Zazenkai via Zoom on the last Saturday of each month. On occasion, we meet at UUC to sit together in person, too. Full day participation is encouraged; drop-in attendance is allowed. No charge. An offering bowl or online giving link will be available for contributions to support sangha activities.
  • Multi-day retreats (Sesshin): Two or three times a year, we engage multi-day retreat with the Empty Moon Zen Sanghas. May be residential (locations vary), or “commuter” (daytime attendance only; usually at UUC). Zoom attendance is usually an option as well.
  • See the Empty Moon Zen website or ask Janine for information on online programs offered daily by our affiliated Sanghas. 


(Photo: Bright Cloud Rohatsu, 2019)

Rohatsu Sesshin and Janine’s ordination as a Zen priest, at UUC in December 2019


The links below offer additional information about Bright Cloud and Empty Moon Zen and other recommended practice opportunities.


Click links below for:


Information on Janine Larsen

Information on James Myoun Ford, Roshi

James Ford’s blog, Monkey Mind

Empty Moon Zen website. Join the mailing list there to receive emails with news and updates from our larger Sangha family.

Other opportunities for Retreats & Events:


In addition to regular practice and events offered by Bright Cloud and Empty Moon Zen, we recommend teaching and residential retreats (sesshin) at Great Vow Zen Monastery in Clatskanie, OR. See their schedule here. The “Beginner’s Mind” introductory retreat is offered monthly. Practitioners over age 60 may wish to inquire about “Silver Dragons” retreat options.


Practice opportunities with other Seattle area Zen groups we recommend (check their websites to confirm current information):


Seattle Soto Zen – Tuesday evenings

Chobo-Ji – Rinzai Zen, M-S mornings, T/Su evenings

One Drop Zen – Water Moon Dojo – Rinzai Zen, T/Th/S mornings


Still have questions, need Zoom links, or want to join the email list-serve for Bright Cloud Zen group communications? Email Janine or call her at UUC, (206) 454-7724.

Share by: