6901 SW 14th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50315
DONATENew to Zen?
DONATEThe Introduction to Zen Meditation & Mindfulness course at the Des Moines Zen Center offers a welcoming and practical starting point for anyone curious about Zen practice and meditation. This class guides participants through foundational aspects of Zen meditation and mindful awareness, helping you explore how these practices can support clarity, calm, and presence in daily life.
This introductory course is offered once in Fall and once in Winter. Please watch for announcements below or sign up for the center’s newsletter to learn when the next offering will be available.
This class series provides an introduction to Zen meditation and mindfulness. It is primarily intended for beginners but can also serve as a good refresher for experienced practitioners. It is open and applicable to people of all faiths. Whether you’re new to meditation or looking to deepen an existing practice, this class offers a clear and grounded introduction.
The classes will include instruction in Zen meditation and the cultivation of mindfulness following the ancient teaching on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, which the Buddha called the direct path to realization. These foundations are the four doorways into the present moment. The classes begin with awareness of the body and feelings, then move to awareness of mental states and the formation of mental objects. Taken together, they give us a complete field of practice, covering everything we can experience, from the soles of our feet to the stories in our heads. Successfully applying these teachings in our everyday lives can give us peace, confidence, and stability in whatever we are doing and manifesting our best to others.
The DMZC operates exclusively on free-will donations. A suggested donation for the series of 5 classes is $50, although no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
To register, please contact us through the contact form with your intent to attend the class.
The classes will be taught by one of the DMZC's ordained teachers. Each class will focus on one of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. The weeks will unfold as follows:
Each week includes a short teaching, group discussion, and periods of zazen.
Registration deadline for the upcoming classes:
January 20, 2026
The Des Moines Zen Center is supported entirely by the generosity of its community. Our teachings, practice opportunities, and programs are offered freely and sustained through voluntary donations.
If you wish to support the ongoing work and practice of the Zen Center, you are invited to make a free-will offering. Donations may be given as a one-time gift or set up as a recurring offering. Please visit our Donation page or use the Donate button here to give securely by PayPal or debit/credit card.
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