Home2023-05-07T17:08:07-07:00

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Blue Heron Zen Community welcomes you just as you are.

We are an easy-going, friendly community of lay Zen students, physically located in Seattle, Washington, although our online Sangha is far broader. Please join us! Our meditation practice is rooted in the Korean Zen tradition, in the lineage of Zen Master Seung Sahn. Our teachings, forms and meditation practices are open to all people regardless of religious or cultural background. We strive to be an open community by practicing inclusivity with a home-grown community flavor of gentleness, sincerity, good humor and flexibility. Come and visit — our mind/heart doors are open.

We offer group meditation, retreats, talks, and other activities with the simple goal of inspiring and supporting your own efforts to perceive your true nature. The programs at Blue Heron Zen Community can help you begin and sustain a rewarding Zen meditation practice.

View our schedule of in-person and online Group Meditation

Getting Started

With simplicity and wonder, Zen means discovering the true nature of reality. But to truly understand Zen, you must try it for yourself.

If you’re the type of person that likes to jump in with both feet, you are welcome to come to any of our practice times and just join in. Welcome to our sangha and our practice home. There is never a charge for regularly scheduled practice, although donations are gratefully accepted.

If you would like an introduction to our practice, please join us at 10:30 am on Sundays for an orientation with a Dharma Teacher at Blue Heron Zen Community. This in-person session introduces Zen practice and answers your questions. This is followed by our regular Sunday practice at 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. (If you cannot join an introduction on Sundays, contact us for other options, or come 10 minutes early to any practice.)

What’s Going On

3-Day Retreat: June 23 – 252023-05-28T11:33:26-07:00

Daily 7 am – 4:30 pm Pacific Time.

Beginning Friday, June 23, we will gather our online and in-person communities for a 3-day group practice, a Dharma talk, and personal Dharma dialogues with Zen Master Jeong Ji.  We welcome you to join us for all or part of the 3-day period.

More Information and Registration

Face Masks Now Optional for In-Person Practice2023-05-10T09:16:36-07:00

Wearing a face mask is now optional during in-person group practice sessions at Blue Heron Zen Community. During in-person Dharma Dialogues, you may be asked to wear a mask to protect the health of our teachers, and in those cases masks will be provided. Also, anytime you have cold, flu, or COVID symptoms please join an online practice session. We thank everyone in the Sangha for their caution and support of the health of our members, residents, and guests.

In-Person Dharma Dialogs Offered at Sunday 9:00 am Practice2023-05-14T14:00:12-07:00

Zen Master Jeong Ji and Eric Nord, JDPSN, are offering in-person Dharma Dialogs during the 9:00 am Sunday meditation practice. A sign-up sheet is posted on the wall just outside the Dharma Room; to participate please sign in before the 9 am practice begins.

(Online Dharma Dialogs also continue to be available.)

Online Dharma Dialogue Opportunities2023-05-14T14:04:47-07:00

Eric Nord, JDPSN and Zen Master Jeong Ji are offering online Dharma Dialogues in addition to in-person interviews.
If you cannot attend an in-person Dharma Dialogue, we encourage you to sign up for an online Dharma Dialogue. Sign up here with Eric Poep Sa or here with Jeong Ji Soen Sa.

Our Senior Dharma Teachers also offer Online Dharma Dialogues. You may schedule an appointment by reaching out to them directly.
Jeff Tipp JDPSN jefftipp@gmail.com
Greg Eisen eisengn@gmail.com
Paul Gulick paul@blueheronzen.org
John Craycraft john.craycraft@comcast.net
Chris Chapman chris@blueheronzen.org

Tuesday Evening Meditation Practice Has Resumed In-Person (and continues online)2023-05-14T14:05:27-07:00

Starting May 2, Tuesday evening practice will occur in person at BHZC, and also at the usual Zoom link online. These will be separate practices, not hybrid, and attendees may join either one. If you are local to the Seattle area, we encourage you to join in person at BHZC. This is part of our continuing adaptation to balance in person and online practice opportunities.

As always, check our website for the complete list of online, in person, and hybrid practices.

Interested in Taking Five Precepts?2023-05-14T14:04:28-07:00

We will hold a Precepts Ceremony on Saturday, August 19. Taking Five Precepts with BHZC signifies joining the Zen lineage as a dedicated practitioner. If you are a sangha member interested to take Five Precepts, please contact the head dharma teacher, chris@blueheronzen.org by June 15, 2023.

Residential Training Opportunity2023-04-06T09:38:43-07:00

Blue Heron Zen Community has openings for residential Zen training at our Center.  Residence offers an opportunity to deepen one’s Zen practice.  Prospective residents are expected to have a strong commitment to Zen.  For more information, please see our Resident Guidelines.  If you’d like to discuss becoming a resident at Blue Heron, please contact Abbott Paul Gulick or Zen Master Jeong Ji.

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