The classes are helpful for meditators as well
as everyone else. Brian teaches classes at the Houstonian and in other venues, but Houston Zen Center is
delighted to offer classes in the Center itself and Brian will devote attention to special issues
for meditators.
MOUNTAIN SEAT CEREMONY
Shin San Shiki
April 7, 2012
This photo of the Officers of HZC meeting the New Abbot at the Gate is one of the first photographs of the recently–celebrated Mountain Seat Ceremony. More images, including a video, will be posted in the coming days.
Mountain Gate Poem by the new Abbot:
I offer fragrant incense at this Zen Gate
Honoring the unimaginably vast circumstances
In the 10 directions
That have brought us to this moment.
Freedom can be found, here.
The Gateless Gate stands open.
President Zengetsu Vicki Glenn thanks all of you who have so generously given of your time and resources to make this important event such a
beautiful success.
ZEN CHANTS: THE BASICS
April 30–June 4
6 Mondays
7:00 – 8:30 pm
Optional meditation at 6:30
Taught by
Kogen Glen Duval,
Tim Peaceful Forest Schorre,
and Senior Zen Practitioners
Zen monks chant every day, several times a day, as a part of practice. Zen meditators at Houston Zen Center include the practice of chanting every morning,
as well as every Saturday before the meditation period. Each chant has a different meaning, and the activity of chanting itself
provides a beneficial extension of meditation practice.
This class will be a beginner's introduction to Zen chants and Zen chanting. The first class led by the Head of Practice
or Tanto, of HZC, Tim Schorre, will introduce the short chants that are used before and after lecture as well as
at the end of the Sunday meditation period.
Each of the additional classes will explore different chants, encouraging intellectual as well as experiential practice.
There will be optional zazen beginning at 6:30 for those whose schedules allow them to arrive early.
Kogen Glen Duval, the leader of the class, is an Assistant Teacher of HZC.
Cost is $75 for the 6 week series, $25 for members of HZC. Three scholarships are available, just let the Ino know that you are requesting a scholarship. No one is turned away because of financial challenges. Register by Paypal (below), by phone 713-869-1952, or in person at HZC.
ZEN: A HISTORY
May 15–Jun. 26
6 Tuesdays
No class June 19
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Taught by
Abiding Teacher Gaelyn Godwin
and Brandon Kenkai Lamson
This is an intermediate level class that explores the history of Zen as this dynamic and transformative
practice migrated from East to West. On this journey, compelling questions arise:
Where did Zen come from? What is Buddhism? What are koans? These are several of the fundamental
issues we will study as this course develops. Each class will begin with a period of meditation that
will ground us and enhance our experiential understanding of these teachings.
A recommended reading list will be provided.
Gaelyn Godwin is a Zen priest and the Guiding Teacher of the Zen Center. Dr. Brandon Lamson is a poet, Creative Writing teacher and lay ordained Zen practitioner.
Cost is $75 for the 6 week series, $25 for members of HZC. Three scholarships are available, just let the Ino know that you are requesting a scholarship. No one is turned away because of financial challenges. Register by Paypal (below), by phone 713-869-1952, or in person at HZC.
THE SACRED PATH OF THE WARRIOR
Jun. 26–Jul. 31
6 Tuesdays
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Taught by
Mike Keller
and Tricia McFarlin
Designed for those who have taken the Introduction to Meditation series of courses; other practitioners are also welcome.
This class is centered around Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior, containing lectures by Chogyam Trungpa,
the great Tibetan teacher of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche (his son) and Pema Chodron. The book describes a process of inner
growth that starts with intuition of one's basic worth and goodness, acquired through meditation, and, following the logic
of the expanding heart as one continues to meditate, proceeds through the development of progressively more refined spiritual
qualities. The ultimate direction of this growth is stable awareness of everyday experience as sacred and untiring loving
service to others. It is the Bodhisattva path but presented in a secular rather than a religious context. Trungpa Rimpoche
hopes that through this book,
"the goodness in everyone's heart can be realized without doubt."
Copies of the text Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior will be available for sale at the Center..
Mike Keller is a long time practitioner of Meditation and a senior practitioner at Houston Zen Center. His experience
includes practice at
Zen monasteries as well as extensive study in Sufism.
Tricia McFarlin is a member of the Board of Directors of HZC. She teaches American and World literature courses at Awty international
School.
Cost is $75 for the 6 week series, $25 for members of HZC. Three scholarships are available, just let the Ino know that you are requesting a scholarship. No one is turned away because of financial challenges. Register by Paypal (below), by phone 713-869-1952, or in person at HZC.
please come to our Wednesday introduction. We offer a one-hour introduction on the first Wednesday of each month, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
There is no charge and everyone is welcome. 
Each class includes a brief
period of meditation, beginning with 10 minutes and working up to 30 minutes at the end of the series. The course is
designed to provide a basis of practice and to de–mystify meditation.