Minnesota Zen Meditation Center

04/04/2026

Here is a new article from guiding teacher Ben Connelly for Lion's Roar magazine.

Ben Connelly recounts how faith leaders and neighbors in Minneapolis practice presence, care, and nonviolent action. Their example illuminates the heart of Buddhist practice in a time of crisis.

04/03/2026

Join us for all or part of this contemporary-style Zen retreat!
April Retreat, April 10 - 12
with Tim Burkett
Saturday 5:45 am - 9:00 pm
Sunday 5:45 am - 4:00 pm
Offered online and in person.
Register
https://www.mnzencenter.org/store/p115/Weekend_Retreat.html

This two-day Zen retreat is contemporary in style, while maintaining a deep immersion in meditation and silence. The retreat includes sitting and walking meditation, daily dharma talks, and one-to-one meetings with the teacher. Three meals will be served on Saturday, and two meals on Sunday, for in-person participants. All participants must attend the orientation at 7:00 on Friday evening.

03/07/2026

Congratulations and Celebration for Newly Transmitted Teachers
Evan Britzius and Doshin Mark Turbak
Tomorrow, Sunday, March 8, 11:00 am

Congratulations to Evan Britzius and Doshin Mark Turbak on receiving dharma transmission this past week. Dharma transmission gives them the status of independent teachers and marks the end of many years of formal training. We thank them both for their devoted service to the MZMC Community during their training. Both will continue their roles at MZMC following transmission.

We will have a reception for Evan and Doshin during tea-time this Sunday.

03/02/2026

Listening to the Wisdom of the Body: Somatic Practices to Attune to What Is and What's Arising
A workshop with Marie Michael and Ted O'Toole
Saturday, March 28, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Offered online and in person.
More information and register
https://www.mnzencenter.org/store/p160/Listening_to_the_Wisdom_of_the_Body.html

It is often said that Zen is an embodied practice, but it is not always clear how this works in a practical sense, especially in times like these when being in the body, feeling our grief, pain, fear, and anger may be the last thing we want to do. But being fully present to ourselves creates the spaciousness and capacity that allows us to attune to others and to the moment we are actually in, allowing us to creatively and effectively respond, rather than react.

This workshop will be a space where individually and together we can develop the skill of being with what is, tuning in, rather than tuning out, even when it is uncomfortable, and letting what is arising teach us and guide our actions. We will present a variety of approaches to awakening through attention to grounding, somatic awareness, attunement. Movement, meditation, body scan, ritual, dharma talks, and journaling will be included. Lunch will be provided.

02/18/2026

Senior Teacher Ted O'Toole is pictured with Sister Pearl Pham and Sister Thien Chan at Giac Tham Temple in Eagan. Ted was among the MZMC folks who attended the Temple on Sunday for the Lunar New Year and a Zen Monastery Housewarming and Blessing. It is a beautiful temple and they had wonderful hosts! Sister Pearl will be giving the Sunday dharma talk at MZMC on March 1.

02/16/2026

Day of Practice
A Restorative Retreat
with Tim Burkett
Saturday, March 14, 8 am – 5 pm
Offered in person only.
Register
https://www.mnzencenter.org/store/p132/Day_of_Practice%2C_March.html

Settle into a day of the stillness and quiet of Zen. This restorative retreat will focus will be on slowing down and settling into a quiet contentedness. Practices will include Body Scanning, Loving-Kindness Practice, Movement to Improve Energy Flow, and guided meditations designed to be restorative. We will also have the opportunity to listen meditatively to Japanese zen shakuhachi flute music, provided by Leo Hansen.

This retreat will be less meditation intensive and physically rigorous than other MZMC retreats. It will be an opportunity for silent retreat and an open door to total engagement with the present moment. A vegetarian lunch is served.

02/13/2026

02/13/2026

MZMC's Ben Connelly recently joined his colleagues in Center Down, Rise Ready a branch of MARCH (Multifaith Anti-racism, Change and Healing) to make this five minute video, Multifaith Meditation from Minneapolis, for folks integrating work for social justice and meditation.

02/12/2026

Huayan Buddhism
with Ben Connelly
Wednesday evenings, February 18 - March 25 (six weeks)
7:15 - 8:45 pm
Offered online and in person.
Register
https://www.mnzencenter.org/store/p141/Huayan_Buddhism.html

Huayan Buddhism arose in the sixth century in China with its roots in the Flower Garland (Huayan) Sutra. Huayan is relational, practical, and positive. Its emphasis on interdependence, celebration of the sensual world, social engagement, and diversity of people and practices has much to offer during this era when many folks see ever-deepening divisions. Ben recently published the book that will be used for the class; this is a wonderful opportunity to explore it with him. "Inside the Flower Garland Sutra," available at MZMC and online https://wisdomexperience.org/product/inside-the-flower-garland-sutra/

02/10/2026

When we got the idea last week for a Silent Walk for Justice led by Buddhist communities in solidarity with those harmed by ICE, and to bear witness to all who have been harmed by state violence, we did not expect 700 people to show up. May energy for the work flow from our bearing of witness as we visited Say Their Names Cemetery at George Floyd Square and The Renee Good Memorial Site.

02/07/2026

Visiting Teachers This Sunday, February 8th
Eve Marko, Founding Teacher of the Zen Peacemaker Order
MZMC Sunday Talk at 10:00 am
Offered online and in person.
https://www.mnzencenter.org/zoom-program-links.html

We will have two talks by visiting teachers during the normal Sunday Dharma talk period. Eve Marko and another special visiting guest teacher.

Eve Marko is a Founding Teacher of the Zen Peacemaker Order, head teacher at the Green River Zen Center in Massachusetts, and co-author of "The Book of Householder Koans." https://zenpeacemakers.org

02/04/2026

Silent Walk for Justice
Hosted by Twin Cities Buddhist Communities
All Are Welcome Sunday, February 8th, 3-4:30pm
Gather at Powderhorn Park West Playground

All are welcome to join this mindful walk in solidarity with those harmed by ICE, and to bear witness to all who have been harmed by state violence. There will be no speeches. After we gather we will walk to the sound of bells through the neighborhood to be fully present and to manifest compassion. As we walk, we invite you to rest your attention on your feet on the ground, your breath, the people and places around you, and all that you see and hear. Signs and all religious garments are welcome.