daily zazen:

Our daily schedule of zazen, seated Zen meditation, and kinhin, walking meditation. The weekday morning zazen ends with a short service, which includes reciting sutras or reading together from the Fourteen Precepts of the Order of Interbeing.

*Currently, the program for Thursday evenings is to discuss a short selection from a Zen text. No advance preparation is required to take part. Don't not come because you feel you're unprepared! The discussion will always be informal and you should feel comfortable about taking part in the discussion, or not, and choosing to stay just for zazen. This period of sitting and any programs held are always open to the public.

zazen instruction:

On the first and third Wednesday of each month, at 7:30 p.m., we offer an evening session for people to learn about Zen Buddhism and zazen. The evening includes a talk about Zen, zazen instruction, and a short period of zazen. This is followed by an opportunity for questions. There is no fee for attendance.

sangha meetings:

Sangha meetings are open to everyone with an interest taking an active role in running and organizing the practice at Iowa City Zen Center. When scheduled, these meetings usually take place on the first Saturday of the month, following morning zazen. Contact ICZC if you would like to get on our mailing list and we will notify you of our next sangha meeting.

sesshins:

From time to time, Iowa City Zen Center will schedule a weekend sesshin, a silent zazen retreat, a chance to sink more deeply into the practice. The sesshin is led by a guest priest and a typical schedule consists of zazen, services, meals, a morning dharma talk, and a short afternoon work period. Meals are taken in oryoki style in the zendo.  Contact ICZC if you would like to get on our mailing list and we will notify you of our next planned sesshin or of others we are made aware of in our area.

ryumonji sesshins:

See the Ryumonji site for their schedule. Contact us if you'd like to attend one of their weekend retreats. Very likely one of our members will be driving up. They'd enjoy the company!