I have been attending the Puget Sound Zen Center, both on Vashon and more recently in West Seattle,…read morefor about three years. It is a wonderfully open, cheerful, and thoughtful community, both for experienced practitioners and for those coming for the first time. There are great tips for first-timers here: https://pszc.org/new-to-zen/. I would add two quick things if you are coming for the first time. First, it is a good idea to arrive 15-20 minutes early, regardless of which meditation you attend. It is helpful to get a few pointers on where to sit and what to expect. People will be glad to offer suggestions, and there is always someone assigned specifically to help newcomers. Just ask for "the Shoji." Second, if you do not need wheelchair access, the entrance is right up the steps in the front of the building. The front is the side that looks out on the driveway where you drove in. Like Zen itself, the place has many doors. Like Zen itself, this can be a little confusing. If you need a more accessible entrance, the double doors will be on your right. If they are not open, just knock and someone will no doubt let you in. There is also a satellite Zen Center in West Seattle that meets on Monday nights at Fauntleroy UCC. You can find the schedule and other information for both Zen Centers here: https://pszc.org/.

Warm, supportive community dedicated to learning and applying Zen principles. The practice is…read morerooted in a centuries-old tradition (Rinzai Zen), which feels strong, something I can lean into. When you first start, it might feel foreign, very different, but don't let that dissuade you; the practice, here, is to be true to the discipline while also learning how to teach & apply it in our culture. I also love that there are so many ways to be involved -- from working in the meditation garden, or working in the food garden (food is donated to the food bank), the Racial Healing group - or sitting in meditation on Zoom (every day there's at least one sit). But the thing I appreciate the most is the feeling I get that everyone is sincere, not judgmental or self-righteous. Really just learning how to practice no-self and, from within, transform greed, hatred and ignorance (the vows we say at every sit).

Learn it. Do it. Keep it forever. Practice daily. This will change your life if you go with it.read more

Transcendental Meditation is a welcoming and accommodating experience. The teachings I received…read morefrom my TM teacher, Utsav Bajgain, yielded immediate, positive results that I have found to be repeatable and applicable to all areas of my life. I have experienced so many benefits. From having a more positive and empathetic view with regard to people and situations to myself evolving more emotionally and spiritually. This all came faster and easier than I expected. I am immensely looking forward to evolving further. I already see a big change in how I am handling the major stresses in my life. With all the profoundly impacting and worrisome issues within our world along with so many people struggling with mental illness. I feel it is more important now than ever to be embracing this beautiful practice of Transcendental Meditation. Not only was my teacher, Utsav Bajgain, extremely knowledgeable and patient but I also now have these amazing and transformative resources available to me for the rest of my life through the app. This type of support is so very hard to find and simply priceless in today's scary and stressful world. I now feel at peace, relaxed and focused. I can't thank my teacher Utsav Bejgain and the entire Transcendental Meditation Community enough. This is only the beginning for me and I feel better and blessed for it.

I have just recently moved to Seattle and gotten involved with KMC Washington. I am so impressed by…read morethe people here! There are many very long-time practitioners of Buddhism here, and it is clear that they have been sincerely being Buddhists. These are people who have learned from a qualified Buddhist master, and they are humble and have a sense of humor. It is so refreshing! This is a great example of Sangha. As you can see from the photos, the temple is beautiful with a lovely meditation room. This is covid time, and they are being careful, so everything is streamed right now. It will be wonderful when people can gather together inside again in the future.

I encourage everyone to make their own impression but being as this is Yelp, here's mine: this…read moreplace is great in concept but it quickly gave off a cultish vibe to me. And I'm not saying this because I'm a skeptic of Buddhism, as my entire family is Buddhist! My grandfather was a political figure in Vietnam who had the backing and support of the Buddhist party. He also was the one who lent his car to his monk friend on the day that monk infamously lit himself on fire in protest (if you Google pics you can see my grandpa's car in the background behind the burning monk). So yeah, I'm trying to say that I have a familiarity/background with Buddhism. Anyway back to the KMC: Everyone was very nice, but I didn't like how everything was "for purchase" and how meditation classes have a mandatory fee. I'm used to free or donation-based sessions, as most Buddhist temples/centers I'm familiar with are. It felt like they obviously were trying to make money wherever they could, which didn't feel very Buddhist to me? But again, I understand that this place isn't technically a temple or monastery etc so maybe that's the difference. Group meditation felt more like a lecture hall at a college. I personally seek a more intimate, calming environment. Here, they have the ceiling lights on so bright you'd think you were being interrogated. How does one relax and meditate with bright ass lights? Perhaps that's a challenge on purpose? I'd suggest dimming the lights a bit for meditation, even if it means some might fall asleep. *UPDATE*: Upon further online research, I've discovered to my shock that the NKT organization is actively against the Dalai Lama and have been called the "Death Eaters to the broader Hogwarts of global Tibetan Buddhism." There are actually testimonies written by "survivors" claiming how NKT is very much a cult. Make up your own mind about it but the info is out there. TLDR: I don't know if most who go here are aware of all this controversy and that Kelsang Gyatso is opposed to His Holiness. Basically, the sect he's created here is based on teachings/practices that's been banned from Tibetan Buddhism, and there are eyebrow-raising articles online regarding the activity of its members. I strongly urge anyone interested to do their research first because I suspect they're largely successful due to the ignorance of Westerners (their target audience/demographic). I'm giving them 2 stars because the people seemed nice, they provided snacks afterwards, and the lesson taught that day had value, but I personally will not be supporting this center and will seek meditation from a more traditional Buddhist establishment.

I adore Suzanne…read more Her studio in Playa is VERY far for me to travel since I live in the valley... and yet after a session with her, coming home in traffic didn't bother me in the least (maybe for the first time... ever!? ha!) I was so glad to be alone with my thoughts and in such a great mental state I felt grateful for the slow drive instead of aggravated by it. I think that alone says enough about her as a meditation teacher! But I don't want to stop there... because I haven't told you enough about this lovely and amazing woman. Suzanne truly has a gift. She is calm and soothing and caring and supportive... and she is absolutely meant to be doing this. She seems to have an intuitive knack for knowing just what a person needs... You see the mind can be a dangerous place and we all have such different experiences, and blocks, and ... you cannot apply a one size fits all philosophy to new students. And she doesn't... she works with you, to help you unlock your best self, and she does it bravely and beautifully and she truly makes it as painless as possible despite whatever pain you bring in there. She is awesome :-)

Absolutely fantastic!! Suzanne's mediations are so calming and therapeutic. She can personalize…read moreher guidance to any situation you are going through, and she makes you feel safe to let go, be where you are, and move to where you need to go. I couldn't recommend this studio or Suzanne more highly. Great for people who have never meditated before or for experienced meditators, and everyone in between!

Amanda is amazing. The studio is very comfortable and relaxing…read more My husband and I are new to yoga. We have been to the gentle yoga together and I have been attending the sound bath meditation. Amanda and Lake are both soft spoken and wonderful guides. I am so very happy that we found this studio.

This is my yoga home…read more Amanda, the heart of this studio, greets each one of us as we enter, and I always feel that she truly cares about us. Her practices are creative, incorporate flow and are thoughtfully designed for the human body both in mechanics and mindfulness. Amanda always reminds us to be aware of how our bodies feel and respond to the movements and poses, so we can practice in the way that fits us. The practices leave space for every body! I'm so grateful to have a studio to call home. When I'm here, it feels like I'm embraced in a warm yoga hug!

I went to federal way meditation when it was run by mr.Lee and his wife. I can tell you that it…read morewas the best experience! I have been diagnosed with several mental illnesses. The most at peace I have ever felt was when I was doing the steps. I went for a year and only got to level two but in doing so let go of so much. Meditation isn't something you can set aside and pick up whenever you feel bad. Your brain is a muscle and needs exercise or it will return back to the state it was before you started meditating. This is where I am now. If I had the means to go back and start again I would. It is a game changer.

Before I started meditating here, I was consumed and lost in my own mind. But now I don't feel as…read moreconfined and I've noticed recently that not many things bother me as much. I would definitely recommend giving this shot. Everyone can do this.