Compassionate Ocean Zen Center

12/21/2025

Our Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course starts Jan 20th completely online! Go to www.OceanZen.org to sign up!

12/19/2025

Winter 2026 Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course

💻Online via Zoom Only
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Tuesdays at 6:30–9:00 P.M.

Starting January 20 – March 10 (8 Classes)

​​​​​​🧘‍♀️This course includes a one-day retreat on Saturday, March 7, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

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📌This program is a comprehensive, well-structured introduction to mindfulness practice in everyday life. It follows the nationally acclaimed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction model developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, presenting mindfulness as a universal practice for people of any (or no) religious background.

The program includes instruction and practice in sitting meditation, gentle yoga, body awareness meditation, and daily-life applications of mindfulness. It also includes information about stress and relaxation. The program enables participants to develop their own base in mindfulness practice integrated into everyday life.

The course includes eight weekly classes, an individual interview with the instructor, a Saturday retreat, the book Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn, four mp3s, and handouts.

The course fee is $350. 27 CEUs are available for nurses, social workers, psychologists, and educators. Payment plans and limited need-based support are available. Please contact the Center to discuss.

If you are interested in participating, please sign up as early as possible so there will be time to schedule the individual interview before the first class. Go to www.OceanZen.org to register!

📚Instructor
Michael O'Neal.

Michael O’Neal is a Guiding Teacher of Compassionate Ocean Zen Center. He practiced for many years with Dainin Katagiri Roshi at the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center and Hokyo-ji Zen Monastery. He also practiced with Thich Nhat Hanh in France and the United States, and completed a training for professionals with Jon Kabat-Zinn. Michael, a Zen priest, has been teaching this course continuously since 1995.

12/12/2025

🗓Reminder!

🪷This is the last Sunday Gathering before Winter Break! 🪷

Sunday, Dec. 21 - No Gathering

Sunday, Dec. 28 - No Gathering

Sunday, Jan. 4 - First Sunday Gathering of 2026

📌We also have classes starting back up in January. Make sure to go to www.OceanZen.org to check them out.

12/11/2025

Haiku as a Spiritual Practice🪷

📌Compassionate Ocean Zen Center
​Online Via Zoom Only
Saturday, January 31
9:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.

📝Facilitated by Mark Ostrander & Terry Miller​
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By sharing and discussing classic examples of haiku from masters like Basho and Issa as well as contemporary works, participants will develop a deep appreciation for this elegant and simple form. Join us as we discover the way of haiku and how to cultivate mindfulness in three simple lines.

By Donation

Pre-registration required at www.OceanZen.org

12/06/2025

Compassionate Ocean Zen Center updates!

🪷Sunday, 12/7 - ZOOM ONLY

🪷Sunday, 12/14 - Last Sunday Gathering of 2025

🪷Sunday, 12/21 - No Gathering

🪷Sunday, 12/28 - No Gathering

No Morning Meditation on Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Years Eve, or New Years Day.

Regular Sunday Gatherings will resume on January 4th, 2026!

11/24/2025

Rohatsu Sesshin
Rohatsu: Buddha's Enlightenment Sesshin​
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Monday, Dec. 1, 7:00 P.M. – Monday, Dec. 8, 12:00 P.M.

The December Rohatsu (“eighth day”) sesshin commemorates and reenacts the seven days of meditation culminating in the enlightenment of the Buddha, traditionally celebrated on Dec. 8.

​Rohatsu sesshin take place at Zen centers throughout the world at this time. This sesshin offers a special opportunity to touch the depth of human life, supporting and being supported by innumerable beings.

Full participation in this sesshin is encouraged. However, partial participation is available for two to seven days.

Participants should plan to attend all activities beginning at 7:00 PM on their start date through 9:00 PM on their end date, except Monday, December 8th which ends at noon.

Participants typically go home each evening. Overnight options are available--contact the Center to discuss.

Led by Michael and Joen O’Neal.

Location: Compassionate Ocean Zen Center

Fee: by donation

Registration ends Nov 24th!! Go to www.OceanZen.org to sign up!

11/20/2025

Its almost Give to the Max day!

Go to www.OceanZen.org to donate or just to check out what our zen center has to offer! From classes, events, membership, sesshins, daily meditation practice and more!

11/18/2025

Registration closes this Monday Nov 24th! Be sure to go to www.OceanZen.org for more information about this once a year opportunity.

Dec 1st - Dec 8th 2025 The Rohatsu.

The Rohatsu (“eighth day”) sesshin commemorates and reenacts the seven days of meditation culminating in the enlightenment of the Buddha, traditionally celebrated on Dec. 8.

Rohatsu sesshin take place at Zen centers throughout the world at this time. This sesshin offers a special opportunity to touch the depth of human life, supporting and being supported by innumerable beings.

Participants should plan to attend all activities beginning at 7:00 PM on their start date through 9:00 PM on their end date, except Monday, December 8th which ends at noon.

Sign up early if you are able. Registration ends Monday, Nov. 24th

Full participation is encouraged. However, partial participation is available.

Go to www.OceanZen.org for more information.

11/11/2025

Stop by this weekend for our Open House! Also, if you have been wondering what a zen center is all about, join us on Sunday Nov 16th, for your Sunday Sangha where we invite new people to join is! Go to www.OceanZen.org for more info!

During the Open Casket Art Crawl
Nov. 14, 7:00–9:00 PM | Nov. 15, 1:00–3:00 PM

Open Casket is an annual event held by the Casket Arts Building showcasing the talented artists who call Casket Arts home. This event is free to the public.

You are invited to:

Stop by the Center

Enjoy refreshments

Mingle with other sangha members

11/06/2025

Dec 1st - Dec 8th 2025 The Rohatsu.

The Rohatsu (“eighth day”) sesshin commemorates and reenacts the seven days of meditation culminating in the enlightenment of the Buddha, traditionally celebrated on Dec. 8.

Rohatsu sesshin take place at Zen centers throughout the world at this time. This sesshin offers a special opportunity to touch the depth of human life, supporting and being supported by innumerable beings.

Participants should plan to attend all activities beginning at 7:00 PM on their start date through 9:00 PM on their end date, except Monday, December 8th which ends at noon.

Sign up early if you are able. Registration ends Monday, Nov. 24th

Full participation is encouraged. However, partial participation is available.

Go to www.OceanZen.org for more information.

11/02/2025

Give to the Max Day marks the beginning of Compassionate Ocean's annual Year End Appeal fundraiser.

In 2024, the Year End Appeal generated $31,102 from 94 individual donors.

This year's goal is to raise $35,000 from 110 donors.

Each contribution helps us to sustain and expand our programs and to bring the benefits of mindful living to the larger community.

As you consider your charitable giving this time of year, please remember Compassionate Ocean. Your support in any form helps strengthen our community as we look ahead to 2026.

Compassionate Ocean is a center for studying and practicing meditation and mindfulness in the Zen Buddhist tradition. Compassionate Ocean is dedicated to the central practice of awakening--cultivating awareness of the essential dignity and beauty of all aliveness.

11/01/2025

During the Open Casket Art Crawl
Nov. 14, 7:00–9:00 PM | Nov. 15, 1:00–3:00 PM

Open Casket is an annual event held by the Casket Arts Building showcasing the talented artists who call Casket Arts home. This event is free to the public.

You are invited to:

Stop by the Center

Enjoy refreshments

Mingle with other sangha members