About us
Join us for quiet, grounded Zen practice in community. Our Zendo offers an environment conducive to communal practice. Each person feels the silent encouragement of others. Roles are clear and everyone follows the formal structure, thereby letting go of “preferential mind” or “complaining mind.” Silence is essential to support this meditative inquiry.
Who we are
We typically gather with 8–20 practitioners for seated and walking Zen meditation, along with brief Dharma instruction from authorized Soto Zen teachers in the White Plum lineage.
Practice
We sit three rounds of 25-minute seated meditation with walking meditation and dharma talks in between. Newcomers are welcome to try just one period of meditation; please exit quietly. We end at 8:30 pm with tea, snacks, sometimes soup, and informal conversation.
We provide ample chairs and cushions. You are welcome to bring your own.
Instruction:
Instruction is offered on request. If you need information or instruction, please come 15-20 minutes early. If you have questions, please ask us.
What if I can't join for all sits or I'm late?:
You may join for one meditation period or more. If you arrive late, please join during one of the two walking meditation periods. Someone will greet you.
Schedule:
Our Zen practice schedule is here.
Location
Our Zendo is located in the back of Rockville United Church:
355 Linthicum St, Rockville, MD
After parking in front, please do not enter through the main church doors. Walk slightly downhill, then take the small rightward path up to the rear entrance. Look for posted signs. We meet on the lower level, past the double wooden doors.
Guiding map:
https://postimg.cc/nMWsMnQy
Parking:
There's plenty of free parking on site.
Metro:
We are a mile walk or bus ride from the Twinbrook metro (Red line).
Who we are
Joyful Mind Zen Community offers Zen practice, teaching, sitting, and walking meditation on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays in our Rockville Zendo. Our guiding teacher is authorized in the Soto Zen lineage and has practiced Zen for 25 years.
If you have questions or are attending for the first time, feel free to reach out.
Upcoming events
96
Zen Meditation Sunday Evenings
Rockville United Church, 355 Linthicum Street, Rockville, MD, USJoin us for a quiet, grounded Sunday evening practice in community.
We typically gather with 6–12 practitioners for seated and walking meditation, along with a short Dharma talk or practice instruction offered by one of our teachers or senior students. Our guiding teacher is authorized in the Soto Zen lineage and has practiced Zen for 25 years.
Schedule
- Please arrive by 6:45 pm to settle in
- First bell rings at 7 pm sharp
(If you arrive late, please wait in the hallway until the next bell. Someone will greet you) - 25 minutes of silent sitting
- 5 minutes of walking meditation
- 25 minutes of sitting with Dharma talk
- 5 minutes of walking meditation
- 15 minutes of closing meditation or chanting
- We close with tea and informal conversation
Our Zendo offers an environment conducive to communal practice. Each person feels the silent encouragement of others. Roles are clear and everyone follows the formal structure, thereby letting go of “preferential mind” or “complaining mind.” Silence is essential to support this meditative inquiry.
Experience
No prior experience is necessary. You may sit on a cushion or a chair. Whether you are new to meditation or have an established practice, you are welcome here. It is offered free of charge.Location
Our Zendo is located in the back of Rockville United Church:
355 Linthicum St, Rockville, MDAfter parking in front, please do not enter through the main church doors. Walk slightly downhill, then take the small rightward path up to the rear entrance. Look for posted signs. We meet on the lower level, past the double wooden doors.
Guiding map:
https://postimg.cc/nMWsMnQyWho we are
Joyful Mind Zen Community offers Zen practice, teaching, sitting, and walking meditation on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays in our Rockville Zendo.If you have questions or are attending for the first time, feel free to reach out.
3 attendees
Tuesday Zen Meditation Afternoons
Rockville United Church, 355 Linthicum Street, Rockville, MD, USJoin us for a quiet, grounded Tuesday afternoon practice in community.
We typically gather with 4–10 practitioners for seated and walking Zen meditation or practice instruction, along with brief Dharma instruction.
Schedule
- Please arrive by 4:30 pm to settle in
- First bell rings at 4:45 pm sharp
(If you arrive late, please wait in the hallway until the next bell. Someone will greet you) - 25 minutes of silent sitting
- 5 minutes of walking meditation
- 25 minutes of sitting with Dharma talk
- 5 minutes of walking meditation
- 15 minutes of closing meditation or chanting
- We close at 6:00 pm with tea and informal conversation, sometimes followed by a simple soup dinner
Experience
No prior experience is necessary. You may sit on a cushion or a chair. Whether you are new to meditation or have an established practice, you are welcome here. It is offered free of charge.Location
Our Zendo is located in the back of Rockville United Church:
355 Linthicum St, Rockville, MDAfter parking in front, please do not enter through the main church doors. Walk slightly downhill, then take the small rightward path up to the rear entrance. Look for posted signs. We meet on the lower level, past the double wooden doors.
Guiding map:
https://postimg.cc/nMWsMnQyWho we are
Joyful Mind Zen Community offers Zen practice, teaching, sitting, and walking meditation on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays in our Rockville Zendo. Our guiding teacher is authorized in the Soto Zen lineage and has practiced Zen for 25 years.If you have questions or are attending for the first time, feel free to reach out.
1 attendee
Film Night: Soul
Rockville United Church, 355 Linthicum Street, Rockville, MD, USJoyful Mind Zendo is happy to invite you to our second Film Night on Friday, May 22nd. We will be screening Pete Docter's film, Soul.
Details:
- Come at 6:00 PM to the basement Zendo (back door) to help set up.
- The screening will begin promptly at 6:30 PM.
- Bring pizza, popcorn, dips, or beverages to share.
- The films running time is 101 mins, and will be followed by a short break and discussion.
- Our evening will end by 9:00 PM.
- Here is the trailer.
- See you soon and invite a friend!
------------------------Film overview------------------------------------
Think animation is just for kids and can’t contemplate big themes? Think again, and join us for a screening of Pixar’s Oscar-winning film, Soul.
Jamie Foxx voices Joe Gardner, a part-time music teacher and aspiring jazz pianist, whose life is dedicated to making it as a professional musician.
On the day of his big break, he is nearly killed in a freak accident. On a conveyor belt to the “Great Beyond”, Joe escapes to the “Great Before”, a bardo in reverse, where the unborn are prepared for life on Earth. There he meets “22”, voiced by Tina Fey, and together they find out what’s makes life worth living.
It’s rare that any film, animated or live action, can be so entertaining while simultaneously giving you so much to think about.
Stick around after the screening for a discussion of how the film speaks to you.
2 attendees
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