“Strictly speaking, there are no enlightened people,
there is only enlightened activity.”
Shunryu Suzuki Roshi
DHARMA FILES
Recent talks given at HZC by various teachers in mp3 format. Click to play.
Ring the bell to go to the 2011 archive.
Previous year's talks are under the Audio tab.
Flint Sparks: Ordinary Practice. 1.7.12
Rev. Yazan Dave Johnson: The Six Subtle Dharma Gates. 12.31.11
Kogen Glen Duval: Turning and Half Turning. 12.24.11
Kosho McCall: Advice on How to Practice Zen Meditation. 12.17.11
Gaelyn Godwin: Rohatsu Sesshin 7: The Expansion and Contraction of Practice. 12.11.11
Gaelyn Godwin: Rohatsu Sesshin 6: Intensifying Practice (Incomplete). 12.10.11
Nessho Cathy Crouch: Rohatsu Sesshin 5: The Song of Myself. 12.9.11
Kogen Glen Duval: Rohatsu Sesshin 4: Freeing Body and Mind. 12.8.11
Gaelyn Godwin: Rohatsu Sesshin 3: Enlightenment. 12.7.11
Rev. Jisen Daniel Leonard: Rohatsu Sesshin 2: Vow. 12.6.11
Gaelyn Godwin: Rohatsu Sesshin 1: Mirror Wisdom. 12.5.11
Gaelyn Godwin: Awakening to Mirror Wisdom. 12.3.11
Gaelyn Godwin: Thankfulness. 11.19.11
Brandon Kenkai Lamson: Playing with Boundaries; Intimacy and Delusion. 11.26.11
Gaelyn Godwin: The Names of Buddha. 11.15.11
Glen Isshin Snyder: Holding the Self Gently. 11.12.11
Click for more information about SZBA
HOUSTON ZEN CENTER
GARDENING AND PAINTING
Cool and pleasant January weather allows us to garden outside the Center, as well as continue with painting inside the meditation hall. Beginning with lunch at 12:00, we will devote January Saturdays from 12:30 until about 3:00 pm, to the Zen practice of raking, weeding and learning a little about the garden from Head Gardener, Mary Carol Edwards. You are welcome to learn some cooking by helping the Head Cooks, (Tenzo), Dale Kent and Kevin Davis, prepare lunch at 11:00. Join Abiding Teacher Gaelyn Godwin in the zendo as we paint various walls and doors. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate.
Houston Zen Center is a place to practice meditation in the Zen tradition. The Center offers daily meditation, introductory and
advanced classes on Zen, as well as classes on other topics in Buddhism and spirituality. The Center is open to everyone who is interested in
practicing meditation; the Center’s members come from all walks of life. We offer longer meditation retreats throughout the year and this
website is updated frequently.
The Daily Sitting Schedule is listed on our
PRACTICE link. For a Google map and directions to the Center, click here:
MAP AND DIRECTIONS.
The lovely downloadable MONTHLY CALENDAR (Pdf 816KB) lists this month's current events.
PRACTICE
INTRODUCTION TO
ZEN SITTING
If you are new to Zen or meditation, 
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.
Click here for more classes...
PRACTICE
INTRODUCTION TO
ZEN MEDITATION
Five Week Series
Mar. 1–29, 2012.
Next Five Week Series
Apr. 26–May 31, 2012.
Taught by Abiding Teacher, Gaelyn Godwin, with the assistance of senior practitioners,
this class is for people new to meditation, as well as those who want to establish a regular practice. The series provides an introduction to
Zen theory and practice. Each class includes discussion and meditation. See the
events page for a full list of current classes.
EVENTS
Project Clear Light
February 11, 2012
Terry Conrad, Director of Project Clear Light, teaches meditation to practitioners who live inside prison walls. "All of us are imprisoned
by our minds, to some extent." Come here Terry at the 9:45 dharma talk, then stay for an informal presentation on his work. Terry is a long time student
of Lama Surya Das.
Tenshin Reb Anderson Roshi
February 22–26, 2012
This 5–day Retreat (with a weekend option, space available) with Tenshin Reb Anderson Roshi, is a great opportunity to deepen practice. It will take
place at Houston Zen Center. Focusing on the teachings of the Abhidharma as expressed in the text Summary of the Great Vehicle, Tenshin Roshi's talks open the heart and mind
to deeper understanding.
The regular meditation schedule will be suspended during this time.
Download the Retreat Application here.
QIGONG WITH
DALE KENT
8 Classes
Jan. 17–Feb. 16,
See the
events page for more information and to sign up.
YOGA WITH
BRIAN BURRELL
8 Classes
Jan. 20–Mar. 9,
See the
events page for more information and to sign up.
16 BODHISATTVA PRECEPTS
An 8 Week Class
Jan. 9–Feb. 27,
See the
events page for more information and to sign up.
DESIGNERS' MIND
A 6 Week Class
Jan. 10–Feb. 14,
See the
events page for more information and to sign up.
DHARMA PUNX
Sundays at 1:00 pm. David Hayes 
facilitates a peer-led sitting group Sundays. Meetings begin at 1 pm and include meditation and discussion.
Email us, or drop by for the meeting. See you Sunday!