|  The Heart of Zen Meditation Group | The profound benefits of meditation are well known, from stress reduction and peace of mind to an increase in creative spontaneity, intuitive wisdom and natural compassion. Our group is dedicated to the heart of Zen, namely its practice of meditation. While this practice is traditionally understood as a means of awakening and cultivating the twin Buddhist virtues of wisdom and compassion, participants are more than welcome to interpret the practice and these virtues in terms of their own faith or worldview. During the Spring Semester the group generally meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Fava Chapel (in Hammerman House near the library). During the Summer and Fall terms the group generally meets only on one of these days. |  |
We meditate in silence, with two 25 minute sitting periods and a short walking meditation in between. At the end of the meeting we take a few minutes for questions and discussion. Meditation cushions and benches are provided. Instruction in various sitting postures and in the Zen method of meditation on the breath is offered. The Heart of Zen Meditation Group was inspired by the late Father Greg Hartley, who first founded and led a Zen meditation group at Loyola. The Group is currently led by Dr. Bret W. Davis (associate professor of philosophy), who studied and practiced Zen in Japan for 12 years (mostly at Shokokuji Monastery). The Group is co-sponsored by Campus Ministry and the philosophy department of Loyola University Maryland. | Loyola’s Heart of Zen Meditation Group has an established relationship with Shokokuji, one of the main Rinzai Zen monasteries in Kyoto, Japan. In 2010 this relationship was strengthened by a visit from Zen master Kobayashi Gentoku Roshi, the current abbot of Shokokuji, who has conferred upon Dr. Davis the title of docho-sensei, or teacher of Zen and head of a meditation center. Professors at Loyola are welcome to consider using this Meditation Group as a vehicle for class-related experiential education. Dr. Drew Leder and Dr. Davis currently offer the Meditation Group as an option within their Spring semester Asian Thought courses (PL 216). During this time approximately 40-50 students regularly participate in the group, with lower numbers during the Summer and Fall. |  |
General orientation sessions are given for newcomers at the beginning of each semester. Newcomers are also welcome to join the group at any time, provided they make an appointment to receive a brief orientation prior to their first day of sitting. If you are interested in participating in The Heart of Zen Meditation Group, please contact Dr. Davis at bwdavis@loyola.edu or 410-617-5687. | |
