Upcoming Meditation Retreat March 2 & 3 (Saturday and Sunday). Attend one day or both. Beginners are welcome!
For more information please click Upcoming Events
Our Community
Ten Directions Zen Community is a member of the Kwan Um School of Zen and has practice locations in Chicago and the Western Suburbs. We offer many opportunities for people to learn and practice in an open and supportive atmosphere.
Meditation
We meditate every Tuesday evening at the Theosophical Society in Wheaton IL from 7:00 - 8:15 pm in the second floor Meditation room.
And on Thursday evenings we have Meditation practice via Zoom video streaming from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Please contact: director@tendirectionszen.org for further information and invite. Thank you.
Our Teaching of Zen
Our Zen tradition teaches keeping a clear mind and taking appropriate action in each moment and does not dwell on questions of metaphysics. Zen meditation helps us to see the present moment clearly in order to help others.
When we quiet the mind and look carefully at our experience, we see that this world is one of constant change and insecurity. Anything that arises in our life, no matter how hard we try to stabilize it, will pass away.
Ultimately we must abandon the selfish “I, my, me” mind. Whatever we do, the question should arise, is this for me or for all beings? The Buddha once said that this world is an ocean of suffering. So our job, each one of us, is to be mindful, appreciate this moment, indeed this life, attain a mind which is clear like space, and help save all beings from suffering.
Zen is keeping this clear mind always and everywhere. Keep Reading >>
Our Guiding Teacher is Zen Master Jok Um (Ken Kessel) who received transmission in April 2017. He began studying with Zen Master Seung Sahn in 1975. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a psychotherapist, working with children and families in foster care, substance abuse, outpatient and inpatient mental health and therapeutic preschool settings as well as in private practice. He specializes in infant and early childhood mental health.
Zen Master Jok Um is the guiding teacher for the Ten Directions Zen Community, and he also teaches at the Chogye International Zen Center of New York as well as other Zen Centers and affiliates.
