Greater Boston Zen Center

Boston Zen Meditation

“The Way is wide and forgiving.”
—James Ishmael Ford
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Transcripts & Essays

//www.lionsroar.com/best-practices-for-bodhisattvas/

Featured Events

  • October 2019 Residential Sesshin

    October 2019 Residential SesshinRegistration is open for the Bright Sea/Greater Boston Zen Center 7-day Residential Sesshin. (More)

  • LGBTQIA+ Zen Group

    LGBTQIA+ Zen GroupThe GBZC community invites you to participate in Zen meditation and dialogue for LGBTQIA+ people and allies. (More)

  • Writing as Spiritual Practice Group

    Writing as Spiritual Practice GroupCome share your or others’ writing and support one another’s creative endeavors through conversation about its relation to spiritual practice. (More)

  • Non-Residential Sesshin

    Non-Residential SesshinSee our scheduled Non-residential Sesshins. (More)

  • Persons of Color Monthly Sitting Group

    Persons of Color Monthly Sitting GroupGBZC member Leilani Diaz invites persons of color (POCs) to join her in this new, monthly sitting group. (More)

  • Realizing Genjokoan Study Group

    Realizing Genjokoan Study GroupCome explore this introduction to Dogen’s teachings and how they can encourage and support us in our practice. (More)

  • All-day Sit (Zazenkai)

    All-day Sit (Zazenkai)All-day sits are offered most months. (More)

  • Dogen Study Group

    Dogen Study GroupEihei Dogen founded Soto Zen in Japan. Each month we gather to support each other in our exploration of Dogen’s insightful writings. (More)

  • Precepts Discussion Group

    Precepts Discussion GroupThe Precepts of Skillful Action are the heart of what it means to practice Zen off the cushion. Dive into this endlessly rich, ever-unfolding practice. (More)

GBZC Mailing list

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Events This Week

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Events on Sunday, Sep 15
Finance Working Group
Time: 9:00 am - 10:30 am

Description: Led by Cheryl Morrow - contact her with questions.

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GBZC Facilities and Technology
Time: 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

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Dogen Study Group
Time: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

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Turning Toward
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Description: <b>Turning Toward:</b><br><b>White People Working to Dismantle White Supremacy</b><br><br><b>WHO WE ARE:</b> A group for white-identifying dharma practitioners to hold each other accountable and encourage each other in doing the inner and outer work of dismantling racism and acting in alliance with people of color in a white supremacist society. Attendees have read at least one of the following three books: So You Want to Talk About Race (Ijeoma Oluo), Awakening Together (Larry Yang), or Mindful of Race (Ruth King). Because of the relational and intimate nature of this group's work, attendees are asked to commit to attending 4 once-monthly sessions.<br><br><b>WHEN YOU CAN JOIN: </b>We open to new members 3 times throughout the year. Our next open session will be in October/November 2019.<br><br>Rebecca Behizadeh, Josh Levin, and Liz Roemer are available to talk to anyone who would like to know more about the group.<br><br> <br>*****<br><br>MORE BACKGROUND ABOUT THE GROUP:<br><br>For the past several years, GBZC’s Racial and Social Justice Initiative has sponsored many different activities and events (https://bostonzen.org/greater-boston-zen-center/racial-social-justice-initiative/). Some of these events were a series of book group discussions that involved examining the impact of systemic racism and discrimination in our lives and our communities. As several of us learned from these authors of color, we decided to follow their advice to create a space for those of us who identify as white to use our practice to examine and challenge our socialization so that we can more effectively wake up to the nature of racism and its impact, and act skillfully, with awareness, to counter it. We invite others who are interested in such work to join us as we continue this process in the upcoming 4 session monthly group.

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Events on Monday, Sep 16
POC Zen Group
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Description: GBZC member Leilani Diaz invites persons of color (POCs) to join her in this new, monthly sitting group held on the third Monday, 7-8:30 pm. This is an opportunity to cultivate a diverse community rooted in inclusivity, justice, and compassion. No RSVP required. <a href="https://bostonzen.org/events/poc-group/">More</a&gt;

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Events on Tuesday, Sep 17
Evening Program
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

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Events on Wednesday, Sep 18
Evening Program - Dharma Talk and Discussion
Time: 7:15 pm - 9:15 pm

Description: Liturgy, zazen, walking meditation, and dharma talk and discussion.

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Events on Thursday, Sep 19
Morning Practice
Time: 8:00 am - 9:00 am

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Events on Friday, Sep 20
Morning Practice
Time: 6:30 am - 7:30 am

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Events on Saturday, Sep 21
Morning Program
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

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Greater Boston Zen Center  |  552 Massachusetts Ave #208  |  Cambridge, MA 02139

website contents © Josh Bartok

Podcast Information

Welcome to our Greater Boston Zen Center podcast, coming to you from Cambridge, Massachusetts. You can listen to dharma talks (teisho) given by our abbot Josh Jiun Bartok, Roshi and our two co-heads of practice Steve Wallace, Sensei and Dharma Holder Laura Wallace. For more information about teachers, events, and practice periods, go to our website: www.bostonzen.org