Interfaith Zen Meditation — Visalia, California and Online

Welcome to our Interfaith Zen Meditation Group and Visalia Zen Center! We come together in person in the Central California and online to explore the rich tradition of Zen practice, meditation, and sacred writings from various spiritual backgrounds. Through silent meditation, discussion, and reflection, we cultivate wisdom, compassion, and the heart-mind of service. Our gatherings provide a space for interfaith Zen practice, where people of all beliefs and religious traditions can come together to deepen their spiritual practice and connect with others on a profound level through Zen meditation and practices. Whether you are a beginner or experienced meditator, all are welcome to join us in this journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.

GROUP SCHEDULE AND ACTIVITIES
The Interfaith Zen Meditation Group and Visalia Zen Center was founded in 2026 as both an online and in person Zen group in Visalia, CA.

If you are new to Zen meditation, meditation instruction is available before or after group meetings online or in person. Feel free to sign up!

We will begin meeting online this winter and will soon add in person gatherings in Downtown Visalia. Online meetings will be offered on Zoom two Sunday mornings each month.
In person meetings will be offered either twice a month in the evenings or alternating Sunday mornings depending on group members’ preferences and availability.

Meetings will include sitting meditation (zazen), walking meditation (kinhin), Dharma Talks, and opportunities for practice discussion with the group organizer.

IS THIS GROUP FOR YOU?
Life is not always easy. In fact, it rarely is! Truth can feel like the hardest thing to accept, but to realize that things are the way they are does not mean that they will always be so. If you ever feel like things aren’t quite going the way you want, you are not alone! Everyone at some point experiences anxiety, upset, overwhelm, and feelings of being alone and disconnected from what is most important to them or even knowing what this is for them. This is expected. It is part of being alive. If you’ve experienced this, you are not alone! Welcome to humanity! And welcome to this group!!

WHAT IS ZEN MEDITATION (ZAZEN)?
The practice of meditation is thousands of years old and is found across the globe in all major religious traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. I know of no better practice to experience exactly who we are, as we are, and ought to be, than the practice of zazen, or Zen meditation. Zen meditation begs us to pay attention to our live just as it is! How easy it is to forget this! Meditation is about tuning in, not tuning out. This is our life! Turn your attention toward everything that makes up your life! In zazen, we realize that there is essentially nothing to do, nowhere to go, and no one special to be!

The true gift of meditation is not an escape from life, but in realizing that true respite comes from acknowledging and accepting life as it is and yourself as you are. Meditation is not about striving for control or being in and maintaining control! This practice is about gently acknowledging, accepting, and embracing reality as it is with fearless compassion and love. Welcome everything! Nothing is excluded! This is it! This! Is! It!

WHY "INTERFAITH" ZEN?
Zen meditation can help you develop and enhance your love and compassion for yourself and others, and perhaps even God. With patience and practice, it can also create and facilitate a deep, personal spirituality and help you create a meaningful, nourishing, and fulfilling life! In meditation, we learn to be who we are, where we are, as we are.  This is the gift of meditation! This is the gift of Divine love and compassion!

For group members who identify, or once identified, as a Christian, Jew, or Muslim, know that zazen is the practice of meeting God face-to-face! The practice of meditation is the practice of noticing and experiencing the Divine in all places and experience, no matter how strange, unexpected, or unwelcome. Know that you are never alone!

Meditation is a practice of prayer. It is not as much a prayer to someone or something as a prayer with everyone and all things. With each inhalation we take, we return to our life, this very life! With each exhalation, we quiet that much more and face our barriers. With each inhalation and exhalation of your breath, you practice extending love and compassion to yourself. Over time, don’t be too surprised. You just may find yourself with greater love and compassion for others, too!

Each of us brings an important question to meditation practice and spiritual life. This question is unique and different for everyone. The most important question is not why someone out there should practice Zen meditation. The most important question is what urges YOU to meditation and spiritual practice?

SO, WHAT DO I DO NOW?
Okay, I can hear you now, “This is interesting, but how do I start? And what do I do now?” Take a breath! Right now! And then sign up for one of the group’s next scheduled activities! We look forward to meeting you!

ABOUT THE GROUP'S ORGANIZER
Adam Toshiko Fogel is ordained as both a novice Zen Buddhist Priest and (Jewish) Rabbi. He began Zen practice in 1996 at the Zen Center of Los Angeles and currently studies with Gambo Kyogan Berry Crawford Roshi with Simplicity Zen. Previously, Adam studied with Fr. Greg Mayers Roshi and Ruben Habito Roshi in the [multifaith] Sanbo Zen tradition. In his day-to-day work, Adam maintains a private practice of psychology and psychotherapy online and in the Central Valley of CA. Adam is available for practice discussion and Zen meditation instruction.