Our Weekly Groups &
Meditation Offerings

Morning Zazen (Monday & Thursday)

Evening Zazen, Service & Dharma Talk (Tuesday)

Mid-week Meditation (Wednesday)

Brown Bag Zen (Friday)

Ordinary Recovery (Saturday)

All MBZC activities are supported by donations.

Read biographies for activity leaders- or, click “Teachings”
in the top panel of any page.

Hybrid Offerings

We continue to offer some hybrid (in-person + Zoom online) opportunities for regular and special MBZC activities. However, all Zoom availability is dependent on volunteer technical assistance.

Zoom - or, “Online” in the top panel of any page.

Covid Protocol - or, “Health” in the top panel of any page.

Our Meeting Places

McGowan House and Zendo, Monterey

Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, Carmel

Tuesday Evening Zazen

Here is the place; here the way unfolds.

— Eihei Dogen Zenji

• Zazen, kinhin (walking meditation), service and Dharma talks.

6:30 to 7:05 PM Zazen
7:05 to 7:10 PM Kinhin
7:10 to 7:20 PM Service or special ceremony
7:25 to 7:45 PM Talk
7:45 to 8:00 PM Discussion/questions/announcements

• Practice Discussion

Face-to-face practice discussions (10 minutes to 1 hour) available either during Zazen meditation on Tuesday evenings or other mutually arranged times, including online via Zoom.
Scheduling and donations arranged directly with teachers.

• Zazen Instruction

At 5:30 PM on the first Tuesday of each month zazen instruction is offered at the Cherry just prior to zazen at 6:30 PM. No registration is required (in-person only).

Back to TOP

Morning Zazen

Every Monday and Thursday, 7:15 to 8:30 AM in the McGowan House Zendo

The Zendo and Zoom room is open early so people can arrive and settle before the bell. The meditation begins with 3 bells at 7:15 am. After 40 minutes of meditation, the bell rings once and we chant a morning service.

After chanting we do a short soji (cleaning the temple); at home, people can straighten up their own practice area or room. At 8:15 AM on the third Thursday of the month, in-person Zazen Instruction is offered.

Zoom: The online ino or doan will point the camera to the altar in the Zendo. You may aim your camera at your altar, at yourself, or anywhere you want. The morning chants and sutras are linked here: Online Sutra Book. Please print the page and keep near your seat. If you need a printed copy, please let Diane know and she will get a copy in the mail.

Back to TOP

Mid-Week Meditation

within a selfless boat...

Wednesday 1:30-2:30 PM in the McGowan House Zendo (returning August 7)

The hour begins with a 30-minute meditation, followed by a quotation or poem and open discussion. All are welcome, come as you are, Zen practitioner or not. We simply gather together for a while...quiet and still in the middle of it all...look into a reading...and go on our way.

Please note this is a new hour,1:30-2:30 PM.

In-person only

Welcome to all... and to all that arises

Back to TOP

Brown Bag Zen

This informal lunch-time meditation group meets every Friday from 12:15 to 1:15 PM in the McGowan House Zendo.

Emphasizing a broad, user-friendly approach to Soto Zen, the meeting includes a twenty minute meditation, tea and treat, and a short, personal reflection by a sangha member followed by discussion. Brown Bag Zen accentuates Zen practice and personal Dharma in ordinary life.

Back to TOP

Ordinary Recovery

Saturdays 9:00 to 10:00 AM

Room opens early and remains open so people can chat before and after the meeting.

Buddhism and the 12-steps of Recovery

We are firmly protected from inside. That is our spirit. We are protected from inside, always, incessantly. – “Not Always So”— Shunryu Suzuki Roshi

Ordinary Recovery, an ongoing class and discussion group exploring the relationship between Buddhist meditation and the 12-steps of recovery, is held Saturdays at 9 AM at the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts. Through talks, discussions and meditation, we investigate the many points of convergence between the 12-steps and the teaching and practice of Buddhism. Meditation can be a powerful tool in relapse prevention and can become a “positive addiction” that provides a healthy alternative to addictive behaviors.

Back to TOP