Open Mind Zen Louisville

1013 Bardstown Rd.

alley entrance through the orange door

Louisville, Kentucky

and by

ZOOM

Welcome!

Open Mind Zen Louisville [OMZL] is a lay-focused Zen tradition for training to live well while immersed in daily life with full responsibility for self, family and community. Lay life provides endless opportunity to deepen one's practice, and everyone benefits.

Zen training is available by Zoom, including: daily zazen, weekly dharma talks and discussion, practice meetings and koan work, and classes. Non-local students are welcome and encouraged. 

For a historical peek at distance Zen practice, check out 12th-century Chinese Chan (Zen) master Dahui. He developed technique specifically for working with lay students through the mail, namely the hua-tou. 

Zen teachers and students find a way. Zoom lends itself to regularly scheduled one-on-one meetings, which are ideal for nurturing a strong sitting practice, and koan study.

OMZL is on Winter Break until Saturday January 17. Here's what's still available:

New Student Orientations by appointment, Zoom or in person: email omzlouisville@gmail.com or text (502) 303-7259

7-8 am EST Daily unprogrammed zazen, by Zoom: email omzlouisville@gmail.com or text (502) 303-7259 for link

Zendo Calendar

Bodhi Day Retreat

Saturday Dec. 13, 10am-3pm EST

Zoom access TBD

Winter Break *

OMZL closed Sun. Dec. 14 -  Fri. Jan. 16

*Individual and precepts/rakusu meetings by request, scheduled around teacher availability.

Buddha Day (Buddha's Birthday) Retreat

Sat. Apr. 11

Open Mind Zen Spring Retreat 2026, hosted at OMZL

Fri. May 15 - Sun. May 17, 2026

Summer Break 2026 (Tentative Dates)

Wed. July 12 - Friday Aug. 14

ABOUT THE TEACHER

OMZL is an affiliate of Open Mind Zen in the White Plum Asanga . OMZL is run by Assistant Teacher Angie Reed Garner under the auspices of Al Fusho Rapaport, Roshi. Read more about them here.  

WHERE

OMZL is located in a former warehouse space—signed and web-findable as garner LARGE (art) at 1013 Bardstown Rd., alley entrance. Search "garner LARGE" with a mapping program. Google Maps 

There are 3-4 parking spaces by the orange door that you are welcome to use. Don't park at Jack Fry's. There is on-street parking, metered and free, on Highland Ave. There is free on-street parking on Cherokee Rd.

Most Zen training is accessible via Zoom.

HOW TO BEGIN

Basically, show up, in person or Zoom. For in person, kindest to yourself is to arrive ten minutes early to find your seat and locate the bathroom. Instructions are given as necessary. By Zoom, give yourself a few minutes for a sound check.

You may also make an appointment for an introduction and orientation.  These orientations also take place in person or by zoom. They are designed to help a new student (new to Zen or new to this zendo) to feel familiar and comfortable. Expect an orientation to take about 45 minutes.  These can be done before class by arrangement.

SEATING AND ACCESSIBILITY

Kinhin  ["moving meditation"] is understood to include whatever movements are available to students, at whatever pace. Students may remain entirely seated, and may also use mobility devices.

Practitioners are encouraged to set aside the goal of stillness in favor of sensitivity and compassion for their own particular experience. By prioritizing comfort and stability, and making ready use of intentional movements including walking, rocking, fidgets, use of a mala (beads) etc. students generally relax and settle. Stillness finds the practitioner.

Meditation Posture 

Some OMZL students meditate in a chair plus an angled chair cushion, which helps bring the spine into alignment without muscular tension and gripping. These are provided. Our wedge cushions have gotten good reviews from most students.

If you prefer to sit or lay on the floor,  zafus/zabutons and a thick pilates mat are available. If you prefer, you may bring your own supports. Cane stands are available. You are invited to change your posture at need, do walking meditation, or otherwise take care of yourself at any time.

There is a small step to enter the front door, and a small step to enter the bathroom. The warehouse bay door opens, which allows for wheelchair access via a small but steep ramp. Manual wheelchair users will likely need an assist up and down the ramp, and this assistance is available. Text in advance if possible (502) 303-7259, beep car horn on arrival, or knock on the orange door.

Front door step: 8" 

Bathroom door step: 7"

OMZL READINGS

Here is a link to the OMZL vows and readings that may be used during practice. Here are the precepts OMZ students take as part of a formal rite of passage marking entrance into the Buddhist community.