ABOUT

Open Mind Zen Louisville (OMZL) offers meditation instruction, dharma talks and sitting practice two days a week: Friday and Saturday, from 11:00 am -12:30 pm. Both practices are now hybrid, in person and Zoom.

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.  OMZL is a lay-focused Zen tradition, about training to live well while immersed in daily life—with full responsibility for self, family and community. We train where we live, in ever-changing physical, emotional, and mental realities and circumstances. Lay life provides endless opportunity to deepen one's practice.

Please make an appointment for an introduction and orientation, if you might like to practice at OMZL.  These orientations take place in person or by zoom. They are designed to help a new student (whether new to Zen or new just to this zendo and lineage) feel familiar and comfortable. Expect an orientation to take about 45 minutes,.  Email omzlouisville@gmail.com or text (502) 303-7259. 

You may sign up for the weekly newsletter with the practice schedule, the week's dharma study theme, and OMZL news here. The schedule and any practice cancellations are announced via this newsletter. You may email to be manually added to the mailing list: omzlouisville@gmail.com

WHERE

OMZL is located in a former warehouse space—converted to an art gallery—called 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 and garage bay door that you are welcome to use. Don't park at Jack Fry's.

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.

Meditation is often taught with an expectation of stillness for the duration of the group sit. That expectation itself sets up pain for some bodies and suffering for some people, and creates a barrier to practice which may harden over time into outright aversion. Practitioners are encouraged to set aside the goal of stillness and work instead on sensitivity and compassion for their own particular experience. By prioritizing comfort and stability, and making ready use of movement meditation (ex. when the body is stiff or restless, legs get numb or the mind agitated), students generally relax and settle. Stillness finds the practitioner.

Neurodiverse people (for instance, students with ADHD, MS, or anxiety) may especially benefit from setting aside stillness as a goal. It is not disruptive to sangha when a practitioner quietly walks, stims, adjusts their posture, or fidgets. Nor is it a problem when a student steps out to use the restroom, get a glass of water, or add or remove a jacket or wrap.

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,

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.