The Middle Way
We have this small "I" (self-centered ego) that is our great teacher because with it we feel discomfort and confusion. The small "I" evaluates and makes judgments about our practice. Are we doing what's right with our life? Sometimes we need to relax and expand. We need to have times in our life when we feel like we're floating in warm water, or we're with friends that we care about, or we're listening to music. Then there are times in our life when we may need to tighten, enter intro areas where we need to apply ourselves, do things that may be difficult both physically and mentally.
....Zen Master Soeng Hyang, from Composting our Karma
WEEKLY UPDATE
MON 28 JULY - SUN 3 AUGUST 2025
To join in person, visit the Guidelines for our health and safety protocols. All times are Eastern Standard Time.
Special Programs
Classes / Talks / Interviews / Groups
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INSTAGRAM IS HERE. Please follow us!
TWO-DAY YMJJ RETREAT at CZC
LED BY COLIN BEAVAN, JDPSN AUGUST 9 & 10. Registration closes Thursday, August 7th at 10 pm.
YONG MAENG JONG JIN (YMJJ) MEANS “TO LEAP LIKE A TIGER WHILE SITTING.” RETREATS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN OUR PRACTICE, TO PERCEIVE MORE CLEARLY AND ACT FROM OUR NATURAL COMPASSION AND WISDOM.
Colin Beavan JDPSN first practiced Zen in the Kwan Um School of Zen in 1996. He is a father of a College-aged daughter, a trusted advisor and coach, and the author of several books, including How To Be Alive and No Impact Man. He living at CZC for a while, his home temple is the Chogye International Zen Center, and he received Inka in April, 2022.
DHARMA TALK - THURSDAY 31 JULY 7:30-8:30PM
DYAN EAGLES, JDPSN will answer questions in person after an introductory talk by ANTHONY JENKINS, DT
Join this event over Zoom: Meeting ID 876 2455 3876
Dharma talks give you an opportunity to ask questions you might have about Buddhism, Zen teachings, or the connection between Zen meditation and daily life. This event is followed by refreshments and social time.
TUESDAY COMMUNITY DINNER at 5:30 PM
Come early and join us for a delicious vegetarian dinner with a $10 suggested donation followed by chanting at 6:30PM prior to the standard Tuesday Long Sitting.
TUESDAY 29 JULY 7:30-9:30 PM
Join URL: Tuesday Zoom Meditation Practice / Meeting ID: 858 3084 3540
ZEN MASTER BON YEON, JANE DOBISZ will offer Kong-An Interviews. There will be three sitting periods of 30 minutes.
* Note: interviews may begin at 7:00 pm.
- 7:30-8:00pm Sitting (interviews begin) - 8:00-8:10pm Walking
- 8:10-8:40pm Sitting - 8:40-8:50pm Walking
- 8:50-9:20pm Sitting - 9:20-9:30pm Heart Sutra, Great Dharani, 4 Great Vows
If you are new, please arrive 10-15 minutes early for brief instruction on our practice forms.
UNPACKING WHITENESS /SOCIAL JUSTICE DIVERSITY INITIATIVE
WED 6 AUGUST 8:15PM - 9:15 PM
Meeting ID: 81745484299
(1st & 3rd Wednesdays on Zoom)
In these one hour meetings, we join together to talk about race and dharma practice, and examine how white privilege operates as we examine the question "What Am I?" The group is currently working with Composting Our Karma: Turning Confusion into Lessons for Awakening Our Innate Wisdom by Barbara Rhodes, Zen Master Soeng Hyang. We use three passages from the book followed by questions to guide our discussion. There is no need to purchase the book, the passages for discussion are posted in the zoom chat. We welcome new members - no experience necessary. Inquiries are presented and facilitated by Senior Dharma Teacher Jennifer Magrone, who brings over ten years of professional experience with addressing how bias and identity oppression operate. If you are curious - please join us!
MEDITATION INSTRUCTION FOR NEWCOMERS
THURSDAY 31 JULY 6:45-7:30PM
This introduction to meditation is offered weekly in person for those new to Cambridge Zen Center or meditation practice. Highly recommended for new students prior to attending a practice session. Your questions will be answered and you are welcome to repeat sessions. Meditation Instruction is in person.
SUNDAY 3 AUGUST 9:00-11:30 AM
Meeting ID 816 7973 3521
Barbara Feldman, Senior Dharma Teacher will offer CONSULTING Interviews. You may join the Zoom meeting at 9:00 AM or 9:30-9:40 and 10:10-10:20 AM. The long sitting concludes with the Four Great Vows. The last Sunday and Tuesday of each month will feature zoom participants first for interviews.
SUNDAY 3 AUGUST 12:30-1:30 PM
Begin or deepen your meditation practice in community with other students and young adults. Each session includes sitting meditation, a check-in, and then a short talk or reading about how to integrate Zen practice into everyday life followed by refreshments.
Regular Practice
Daily Sitting & Chanting
AM ZEN MEDITATION PRACTICE
Bows 5:45 AM daily except Sunday
Chanting 6:10 AM daily except Tuesday and Sunday
Sitting 6:35 AM daily except on Tuesday and Sunday
Description: AM Meditation Practice in person consists of bows and the Morning Bell Chant followed by the Heart Sutra in English. There is a 30-minute period of sitting.
MID DAY ZEN MEDITATION PRACTICE
Sitting 12:30 PM on Tuesday and Thursday for 30 minutes. There is no need to register, just ring the door bell for entrance 10 minutes beforehand.
PM ZEN MEDITATION PRACTICE
Special chanting 6:30 PM daily
Regular chanting 7:00 PM daily
Sitting 7:30 PM daily except on Thursday*
Description: PM Meditation Practice consists of a 35-minute period of sitting followed by a short reading concluding at 8:10 PM. Note: *On Tuesday evenings, join us for two sitting periods with interviews from 7:30 PM - 8:40PM. You may join the Tuesday Zoom Meditation Practice / Meeting ID 85830843540 Please join the meeting on time.
Upcoming & Ongoing
Events / News
Protect The Jewel We are so grateful for your support in keeping our doors open for 50 years! Please help us continue to serve the needs of the community for a long time to come by using any of the following ways to donate: click on the “Protect the Jewel” for GoFundMe; find Venmo@cambridgezencenter under “Czc Zen”; a new plate for credit card donations is near the wood stove, and a donation box is located in the Reception Room for cash or mail us a check to Cambridge Zen Center. We are a 501(c)(3) organization and our Tax ID is listed at the bottom of this page.
CZC Residency: If you have wanted to live in a practicing community, for either short or long-term, your opportunity awaits! Check out our residential requirements and for more information contact abbot@cambridgezen.org. Applications can be submitted online.
Membership is the most effective way to help the Cambridge Zen Center and receive discounts. When you join as a member, you also join the Kwan Um School of Zen, a worldwide community. Become a member today by completing this online Membership Application.
Summer Kyol Che Retreat at Providence Zen Center
SATURDAY 26 JULY - FRIDAY 2 AUGUST LAST WEEK OF KYOL CHE
Kyol Che practice clarifies our direction, resulting in a more harmonious relationship with all aspects of life. Click link above for more information.
Precepts Ceremony The next IN-PERSON precepts ceremony at Providence Zen Center, our head temple, will be during Founder’s Day Sangha Weekend August 2 & 3, 2025 The Precepts Ceremony will be Sunday August 3rd at 10:30am. Ceremony broadcast on Zoom. Precepts will be given IN-PERSON ONLY. For more info on applying, click the link above. Zoom Link for Precepts here.
Online Sangha Events are also available at any sister sangha in the Kwan Um School of Zen Americas. See other opportunities in Europe and Asia, plus another calendar of KUOS events with schedules for online retreats and practice opportunities.
Composting Our Karma; Turning Confusion into Lessons for Awakening Our Innate Wisdom. A new book by our School Zen Master, Barbara Rhodes, Zen Master Soeng Hyang is out and is available for purchase at Shambhalla Publishers, Barnes and Noble, Amazon, at the CZC Book Store and at Providence Zen Center.
KWan UM WorldwidE
Events at Sister Sanghas