Profile
More About Great Plains Zen Center
In addition to its home location in Monroe, WI, Great Plains Zen Center has a presence in Chicago's northwest suburb of Palatine. It also has two affiliates, Logan Square Zendo (in Chicago) and Beloit Zen Community (Beloit, WI)
Offerings and Events
Great Plains Zen Center offers monthly sesshin (3 to 7 days). Beginners Mind Sesshin (for those new to practice) is offered in March and September. Introductory classes are held monthly in Palatine and Monroe as well as an ongoing series of monthly follow up classes (Aspects of Zen Practice) in both locations.Zazen is offered on Sundays in Palatine, IL, Mondays in Beloit, Tuesdays in Logan Square and Friday and Sunday in Monroe.There are also periodic class series for children (Ripples and Mindful Listening) and teens (MBSR-T).
We are also a Zen Peacemaker affiliate group and endeavor to follow the Three Tenets of Not Knowing; Bearing Witness to the Joy and Suffering in the World; and Taking Action. We are involved in humanitarian and social justice work in our communities. Resources relating to opportunities to be involved can be found on our website.
More Resources and Information
GPZC seeks to practice Zen Buddhism as a supportive and inclusive community, open to all. We are committed to good stewardship of the earth and supportive of ongoing efforts to dismantle racism and economic injustice in our communities. We offer workshops and classes presenting Buddhist wisdom and compassion in diverse ways that speak to different audiences.
Our teacher, Susan Myoyu Andersen, Roshi
Susan Myoyu Andersen, Roshi became a Dharma successor of Taizan Maezumi, Roshi in 1995 and has practiced Zen for over 40 years. She is a member of the White Plum Asanga and Zen Peacemakers and has training in Council from Jared and Anne Seide, Center for Council. Myoyu Roshi is a certified Occupational Therapist who has worked with differently-abled children and adults, and is a mother of two and grandmother of one.
