Brooklyn Zen Center | A New York City Soto Zen Buddhist Temple
The Foundations of Mindfulness

Registration is closed.

Eight-week class led by Catherine Gammon

Thursdays, April 4 through May 23, 8:00pm to 9:15pm

$60 BZC members/$120 non-members

In this class we turn our attention to Shakyamuni Buddha's teaching for arousing mindfulness as the basis for the practice that leads to liberation from suffering.

The foundations of mindfulness that Shakyamuni Buddha taught are mindfulness of body, mindfulness of feeling (or sensation), mindfulness of mind, and mindfulness of objects of mind.

Our study of these teachings in class, beginning with mindfulness of the body, will be an exploration into how we can establish and cultivate mindfulness in our everyday lives, and a reflection on the consequences of making this effort. Our study will be grounded in meditation practice, and will include directed meditations in class and sharing in small groups.

Our text will be the Satipatthana Sutta (Majjhima Nikaya No. 10) and its expanded version, the Mahasatipatthana Sutta (Digha Nikaya No. 22). The basic text will be distributed to those who register for the class. No purchase of books will be necessary. Additional resources will be suggested along the way.

The class is particularly recommended for those who are new to Buddhist practice or to meditation. It will also be suitable for experienced practitioners. All that is required is the willingness to meet oneself and one another in the stillness of practice.

Regular zazen practice supports the development of mindfulness. Participants are encouraged to establish a sitting practice at home and to sit regularly with the sangha at the Zen Center. Saturday morning zazen instruction is recommended, as is attendance at evening zazen before class.