Ordinary Mind Zen Melbourne offers a Zen Buddhist approach to cultivating mindful awareness and presence in the activities of daily life.
It is open to beginners and experienced practitioners, and people of all traditions. The group is evolving a style of Zen Buddhism that is adapted to Western temperaments and ways of life, but maintains the rigour and discipline of its traditional roots.
Everyone is welcome to join us for our activities. We offer monthly meditation meetings, zazenkai (one-day sittings), and sesshin (multi-day intensives). The monthly meditation meetings are suitable for anyone with little or no meditation experience. If you are coming for the first time, please Contact Us to arrange an introduction for newcomers.
Ordinary Mind Zen Melbourne is holding meditation meetings, with limited places available. Please see Upcoming Calendar and Covid Guidelines for more information.
Recent Talks
Dharma Talks by our teacher, Geoff Dawson
Reflective Talks by Ordinary Mind Zen Melbourne
Recent Student Writings
Student Writings by Ordinary Mind Zen Melbourne
A Source of Joy
Contribution by Anja
Thich Nhat Hanh’s smile gives us choices about how we engage with each moment. Sometimes, the simple act of lifting up our head, relaxing the shoulders back and smiling can help us to feel better, to be more hopeful. … More A Source of Joy
Advice for Future Corpses, and Those Who Love Them
Contribution by Penny
Sally Tisdale is a palliative care nurse and a Zen Buddhist practitioner. Sally’s book is about preparing for one’s own death and the deaths of people close to you. This book is full of deep insight not only into preparing for our own deaths but also into how we can support those we love at the end of their lives. … More Advice for Future Corpses, and Those Who Love Them
Household Practice
Contribution by Richard
Our last intensive Sesshin retreat brought the Sangha together online over four days, in between mindful walking and work practice at home. An unexpected outcome of this, was the emphasis on holding intensive practice within a household setting amongst the noise of family, rather than the usual simplified and quiet structure of Sesshin. … More Household Practice
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, and pay respect to them and to their Elders past, present and emerging. We give thanks for their wisdom and for their care of country since ancient times, and acknowledge their resilience, their continuing culture, and the ongoing contribution they make to the life of this region.
