Ready to establish, maintain and deepen your practice?

The reason Dharma Field is here, is to facilitate and support your practice. ​We'd love to hear from you if you're interested.

1. PRACTICE PROGRAMS:

One of two custom designed programs are available, free and open to all, to help fit with your particular practice.

​Feel free to contact us if you would like to sign up, if you have any questions, or if you would like to discuss the possibility of a modified program that fits your unique needs. 
A. MENTORSHIP:
​Are you interested in guidance on finding ways to deepen your practice?  If so, consider participating in a mentorship with the Dharma Field head teacher. 
 
Consisting of recurring, individual conversations with the head teacher, mentorships allow for informal, personalized interactions that aren’t available in larger settings.  While a mentorship can be seen as an important opportunity, it doesn’t need to be taken as an overly serious endeavor. Similar to meeting someone for coffee, these meetings are meant to be casual conversations.

Whether you are new to Zen or have been at it for a while, a mentorship can help you develop a sustainable Zen practice that is the natural expression of your everyday life. 

Simply contact us to sign up (or to learn more). Forms can also be found in the Dharma Field coatroom.
B. Personal Meeting With A Teacher (Dokusan)
These meetings are meant to help clarify questions you may have about the teaching or meditation practice. ​
Personal meeting with a teacher (dokusan)
Personal meetings with a teacher (dokusan) are meant to help clarify questions you may have about the teaching or meditation practice. Days and times are to be arranged with a teacher and are available on Zoom or in-person.

Contact the office to make an appointment for an online personal meeting an in-person meeting with a teacher.
 
Please note: until further notice, all personal meetings with a teacher will be with the head teacher. This will not affect arrangements you may already have with one of the senior teachers. If you are interested in a personal meeting with one of the other teachers, please contact the head teacher (Steve Matuszak) or the ino (Jed Larson) and arrangements will be made to meet your needs.
C. PRACTICE COMMITMENT:
​Committing to a regular sitting schedule and a study of Buddhist teachings with a qualified teacher are essential to maintaining Buddhist practice.  One way to help one develop and maintain a Buddhist practice is to participate in Dharma Field’s semi-annual practice periods. 
 
But if practice period does not fit your schedule, we are now offering a practice commitment that is not quite as intense, but will help you in your practice.  The practice commitment consists of:

  • Regular sitting schedule, minimum one day a week at Dharma Field
  • Take at least one course or participate in a Dharma Field study group/lecture series per year
  • Register for at least one sesshin or Half-Day Meditation per year
  • One or more one-on-one conversations about practice with teacher
 
If you live out of the area, or have circumstances that prevent you from meeting the above requirements, simply contact Steve M to learn more about a customized practice plan.
 
There is no charge, and it open to everyone (membership not required).
 
Your practice is an important part of what makes practice possible for everyone in the sangha. Don’t hesitate to sign up if you think you’d like to take the next step in deepening your practice. Sign up forms can be found online and in the entry room, or, simply contact the office or Steve Matuszak.

2. PRACTICE PERIOD
Offered in the fall and spring.

Practice Period:
Committed Practice
Offered both live and online (via Zoom)

​Fall and Spring practice period at Dharma Field are offered September and February, respectively. See the Dharma Field calendar for exact date ranges. If you are interested, please contact the office.

​The sign up deadline occurs on the Wednesday prior to the first Sunday practice period meeting.

​Practice periods allow students, for a designated period of time, to take up Buddhist practice more intensively than they usually might.  Because it is done with other Zen students, it can also foster a sense of community important to practicing Buddhism.  Whether you are a beginning student or one with more experience, practice period can deepen one’s practice.

FALL 2026 PRACTICE PERIOD
Sunday, Sunday, Sept 20 - Nov 29

Practice periods allow students, for a designated period of time, to take up Buddhist practice more intensively than they usually might.  Because it is done with other Zen students, it can also foster a sense of community important to practicing Buddhism.  Whether you are a beginning student or one with more experience, practice period can deepen one’s practice.
 
Cost:
There is no charge for members of Dharma Field.
Nonmembers please pay $90.

Commitments:
For residents of the Twin Cities metro area (unless otherwise arranged with the head teacher)
  • Contact head teacher about participating, or use a sign up sheet in the DF entry room.
  • Attend all 7:15 a.m. Sunday Practice Period meetings in person
  • Give at least one 7:15 a.m. Practice Period meeting talk and lead discussion
  • Attend all 10 a.m. Dharma Field Sunday public talks
  • Participate in the formal Sunday sitting schedule, plus five additional zazen periods at Dharma Field each week (fill in a form located in the coatroom and submit to the office or head teacher)
  • Attend at least six weeks of classes or study groups
  • Commit to a work practice task or hold a practice position
  • Attend the sesshin (October sesshin for Fall Practice Period, or April sesshin for Spring Practice Period), or if it is canceled, one of the half-day meditation sessions
  • Arrange to meet the head teacher for at least one dokusan (outside of sesshin) unless already enrolled in a Dharma Field mentorship
  • Read assigned chapter before the first meeting (see below).
Readings: Read “Not Moving is the Way” from The Truth of This Life: Zen Teachings on Loving the World as It Is by Katherine Thanas before the first meeting.


For those who are outside of the Twin Cities metro area (all times listed are Central Time)
  • Contact head teacher about participating
  • Attend all 7:15 a.m. Sunday Practice Period meetings via Zoom
  • Give at least one 7:15 a.m. Practice Period meeting talk and lead discussion via Zoom
  • Attend all 10 a.m. Dharma Field Sunday public talks via Zoom
  • Set up a schedule of at least seven thirty-minute periods of sitting meditation per week to be submitted to the head teacher (list days and times of sittings—e.g., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 9 a.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m. and 9:40 a.m.; Friday, 6 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.)
  • Attend at least six weeks of classes or study groups via Zoom
  • Arrange to meet the head teacher for at least one dokusan (outside of sesshin) unless already enrolled in a Dharma Field mentorship
  • Please contact the Dharma Field office if you have questions or if you would like to submit your sitting schedule.
  • Read assigned chapter before the first meeting (see below).
Readings: Read “Not Moving is the Way​” from The Truth of This Life: Zen Teachings on Loving the World as It Is by Katherine Thanas before the first meeting.