Dharma Field - Zen Meditation Center

Dharma Field welcomes everyone to the teachings and practice of Zen Buddhism. The center, founded in 1997 by Steve Hagen, offers meditation instruction, a daily meditation schedule, and sesshins (retreats). We also offer classes in Buddhism and Zen as well as related subjects. Join us, in person or online, in the study and practice of this rich tradition, which is no less relevant today as it was in its beginnings in India over 2500 years ago.

Steve Hagen's new book, The Grand Delusion, is available for pre-order in our book store. Click here to find out more.

Click here to listen to recent talks

Upcoming in our Regular Schedule...

Dharma Field is temporarily suspending all social gatherings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The building will be closed until further notice. Please check your email and see below for developments.

Sunday Talks, 10 am (CDT)
Talks are currently presented live via Zoom until further notice. The link to the talks is sent out with the weekly email update or is available by contacting the Dharma Field office. The same link is used each week, so if you already have it, a new link is not needed.
Aug 16 Steve Hagen
Aug 23 Jed Larson
Aug 30 Steve Hagen
Sep 6 Norm Randolph

Wednesday Public Talk, 7:45 pm (CDT)
Throughout the year, free, public talks are offered on Wednesday evenings as a short break from the usual study group and to allow students and teachers and opportunity to share Buddhist teachings. Talks are currently presented live via Zoom until further notice. The link to the talk will be provided in the weekly update or by contacting the Dharma Field office.
Aug 26 David Shaw, student talk

Dokusan, Sunday, 8:45 am (CDT)
One-on-one meetings between student and teacher. Meetings will be held via Zoom or phone. To reserve a spot and receive a Zoom link or phone number, contact the Dharma Field office. If a date is "not available," the dokusan spot is taken. Dokusan reservations can be made beginning the Monday before the dokusan.
Aug 16 Steve Matuszak Not available this week
Aug 23 Steve Hagen
Aug 30 Norm Randolph
Sep 6 Steve Hagen

Classes
Classes are currently being held live via Zoom only until further notice. Audio recordings of each class will be available to registrants within the week it takes place.
Some Words: The Poetry of Audre Lorde--led by Kate Lucas
Aug 10-17, 7:45-8:45 pm (CDT) via Zoom.
Registration is required.
Non-abiding--led by Steve Matuszak
Sep 14-Oct 19, 7:45-8:45 pm (CDT) via Zoom.
Registration is required.
What the Buddha Taught: The Four Noble Truths--led by Steve Matuszak
Sep 14-Oct 20, 7:45-8:45 pm (CDT) via Zoom.
Registration is required.

Precept recitation, Monday, 7:45 pm (CDT)
An opportunity to recite the precepts. Free and open to the public. Contact the office for the Zoom link.
Aug 24
Oct 26
Dec 7

Meditation discussion
Monthly discussions about meditation via Zoom to address questions people may have about their meditation practice. Please come with questions. New and seasoned practitioners are welcome. Contact the office for the Zoom link.
Aug 15, 10 am
Sep 19, 10 am
Oct 17, 10 am

Study Groups
Study groups are only being offered live via Zoom until further notice. Please contact our the Dharma Field office to be invited.
The Zen Teaching of Homeless Kodo--led by Jed Larson and Steve Matuszak
Thursday mornings, 7:30-8:30 am (CDT)

Dōgen's Buddha Nature (Busshō)--led by Steve Hagen
Wednesday evenings, 7:45-8:45 pm (CDT) Note: The Buddha Nature study group will not meet on Wed Aug 26. Instead there will be a student talk by David Shaw that evening.

Recorded talks
YouTube
Video recordings of a selection of recent Sunday talks are available on Dharma Field's YouTube channel. Links to videos of specific talks are listed below.
Aug 9 Steve Matuszak--What's Really Here
Aug 2 Norm Randolph--Sunday Talk
Jul 26 Steve Hagen--Q & A
Jul 19 Beau Elkington, student--Freedom from the Bondage of Self

Audio
Edited audio recordings of recent Sunday talks are available on our Sample Talks page. Links to audio recordings of specific talks are listed below.
Jun 28 Steve Hagen--Q&A: Where Is the "Me"?
Jun 14 Norm Randolph--Living As the True Self
May 31 Steve Hagen--Do Not Lose Sight of the Whole
May 17 Steve Hagen--Sitting with Unfavorable Circumstances

New to dharma field or zen?

New to Dharma Field or Zen?

IF YOU LIVE CLOSE ENOUGH TO VISIT DHARMA FIELD…

Attend meditation discussion
Monthly discussions about meditation will be held via Zoom to address questions people may have about their meditation practice. New and seasoned practitioners are welcome.
Discussions will be held the third Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. unless otherwise noted. Please check our calendar to verify dates.
For the Zoom link to the discussion, please contact the Dharma Field office.
Attend a Sunday talk | 10 a.m.
Attend our Sunday morning talks by teachers, students and guest speakers via Zoom. Please contact the office for the appropriate Zoom link.
Attend a Wednesday talk | 7:45 p.m.
Attend our Wednesday evening talks by teachers, students and guest speakers via Zoom. Please contact the office for the appropriate Zoom link.
Register for classes
You are welcome to start your exploration with classes, though there is a charge for them. Three courses: The Four Noble Truths, The Eightfold Noble Path, and The Practice of Meditation are each ideal for those beginning an exploration of Buddhism.

IF YOU DON’T LIVE CLOSE ENOUGH TO ATTEND DHARMA FIELD…

Take advantage of this website
View photos of postures and listen to the online meditation instruction.
Listen to a selection of talks given recently at Dharma Field.
If these pique your interest
Consider taking a class online or purchasing audio recordings of courses (we suggest starting with The Four Noble Truths) and talks, or subscribing to online talks, commentaries, and study groups.

Our offerings at Dharma Field and online...

Meditation

Learn meditation by checking out the free instructions on our meditation instruction page.
Join us for our monthly meditation discussion on Zoom. Contact the office for the Zoom link.
Submit a practice commitment to the head teacher. Indicate the days, times, and duration of each meditation period. E.g. MWF 6 am-6:30 am, TTh 7 pm-7:20 pm.

Talks

Attend our Sunday morning and Wednesday evening talks by teachers, students and guest speakers via Zoom. Please contact the office for the appropriate Zoom link.
Listen to recent talks online.

Classes

Register for Dharma Field courses on Buddhism and Zen, as well as continuing studies in zen and contemporary subjects, via Zoom.

Classes on MP3 or CD

Purchase pre-recorded courses of Dharma Field's courses on MP3 for download and immediate listening OR...
Purchase CD versions.

Texts

Check out our collection of Zen Texts and Essays.

Books

Check out our online bookstore for books by Steve Hagen, Dainin Katagiri and Suzuki Roshi.
Check out our bookstore at Dharma Field for new and used books.

Membership

Sign-up for membership to support our center and obtain discounts on classes, retreats and MP3 or CD recordings. Obtain access to our extensive audio archives of talks and commentaries on zen texts in our Talks for Members area.

OR...

Sign-up for an audio subscription and obtain access to our extensive audio archives of talks and commentaries on zen texts in our Talks for Members area and discounts MP3 or CD recordings.

Giving

Donate to the Dharma Field general fund.
Volunteer your time to help with the many tasks necessary in running the center. Check the work list in the entry room, or contact our program coordinator.