My brain feels like it got a bath. No, that's a good thing! I feel shiny and new and serene and…read moreblissful. And quiet. And still. And this is hours after leaving the Zen Buddhist Temple in Evanston. I attended their Sunday afternoon Zazen sitting. For those of you unfamiliar with Zazen, it's a meditation, or just sitting without thinking for a good long while. There's some guided chanting in English and Japanese with walking meditation thrown in for good measure. And that's a hell of a lot harder than it sounds. I fidgeted, I wiggled, my thoughts kept sneaking in reminding me of my undone laundry, unpaid bills, my misplaced shorts, unread novels. My knees ached, my nose itched, my hands were hot and sweaty. I prayed for the sitting to end. I kept sneaking looks around the temple. And yet I walked out in bliss, high on cloud nine. Yep, I'm a fan of Zazen meditation after the fact, even though I hated it 5 minutes earlier. While the congregation seems small, they're friendly and very willing to explain different parts of the service that seems alien to a Westerner like me, which is something that I haven't found in other temples I've attended. In my experience, Buddhists are a rare breed - they're the happiest campers on earth, but they really couldn't give a rat's ass about being friendly to newcomers. But not here. I'm not sure if I'll be back though - the service was well over 2 hours. Yes, that probably why I feel so sparkling clean and refreshed at the moment, but 2 hours of sitting and trying to clear the mind is an hour too long for this Westerner born and raised in our ADHD culture where we prefer everything at a million miles an hour. Which means I should be 2 million miles away from here.

[I feel weird rating this, because I feel like this is the last kind of place I should be judging,…read morebecause part of the point is not to judge...but here goes] One of my favorite quotes is by Gandhi: "Be the change you want to see in the world". Well, there has been a lot of conflict in my life lately, both from without and probably even moreso within, so I understand if I want to be a part of that change, it has to start with myself. I am the first one to admit how fallible and flawed I am, and hopefully as long as I am of this earth (well, beyond that too), I will not cease trying to remedy that. I have read many texts on Buddhism and been interested for years in the philosophy, and had tried meditation on my own, but had never been to a formal practice. I decided today was the perfect time to start (or I guess, in a way, continue). The Buddhist temple near me did not have a service today, so I decided to try this one. I drove by it at first, because it was not a temple like I was expecting, but was a storefront in Evanston. Lesson one, don't judge by first impressions or by outward appearances. As we walked in, this very kind grey bearded man greeted us and briefly explained how the afternoon would work. We began with a chant that at first I was taken aback because his voice was so deep and this was all so different for me, but as it went on I appreciated the words (part of it was in English) and the beat was comforting, like a heartbeat. Then we took our spots on the mats and began the first sitting. He gently came around and corrected our postures, and briefly explained proper breathing, etc. At first it was hard to shut out my thoughts, but it came much easier after a while, and I was surprised when he announced the end of the first sitting. Then we did a walking meditation around the room, which pointed out a lesson I well need to learn--that I need to slow down and be more patient with those around me, and that I don't always need to focus on getting to the end point... After that, we did a seated session again (which after walking, was hard to focus and settle into). During this, he briefly gave us what I guess would be the equivalent of a sermon, though in a very calm and soothing voice and not preachy at all, but thoughtful. I appreciated it. Then we finished our sitting, and we made an offering to the altar (totally voluntary, and it is not to any god) and bowed in thanks. I was shocked and amazed to find out the sittings had been 40 minutes--he said he does not tell people that, and I agree if I had known I probably would have been much more antsy. He also took the time to answer any questions, ask us how we felt about it, etc. They also have 10 hour sessions once a month, but I personally don't know if I will ever be that Zen! It left me feeling very peaceful and very hopeful...I then went to the lake with a friend to just sit, read, and be with our thoughts, and I am sure the session helped put us in that frame of mind. I want to check out other temples, but I may go back. And I would not hesitate to recommend this place to anyone interested in finding out more about Zen meditation. Namaste.

I have always had a welcoming and peaceful experience here, both online and in person.read more

Wouldn't trust Shambhala as far as I could throw them! Any "meditation" studio that would host wild…read moreparties after closing hours with incredibly loud DJing, in my opinion, shouldn't be teaching patrons how to relax. Doesn't sound so peaceful now, does it? I question the judgement of any business owner who would allow their children or relatives to come into their space and be so obnoxious and disruptive to other residents in 1017 West Washington. If you can't respect your neighbors, you certainly shouldn't be preaching love and joy. There are plenty of other ethical places to go in west loop to expand your practice. Please don't give them the satisfaction of neighborly kindness when they can't do the same in return.

I spent many years reading about eastern philosophy, Buddhism and meditation and struggling to…read moredevelop a practice on my own. I also had a very demanding professional and personal schedule which made it difficult to fit a series of classes in my schedule. I looked at a lot of different options and determined that ZLMC was the best fit for me and started classes a couple of years ago when my schedule finally allowed it. I couldn't have been more pleased. In reading about Buddhism, among many great writers and teachers, I was always drawn to good western writers who journeyed east and returned home. Generally, they seemed to be able to focus on the essence what the Buddha taught without getting distracted by non-fundamental religious traditions and dogma added later. ZLMC is simple, comforting and approachable. It's designed to allow anyone of any religious tradition (or no tradition, agnostics or atheists) to simply learn how to meditate, how to develop a habit or practice of daily meditation into your life and how to use that gift throughout all aspects of your life and daily challenges to make improvements. The approach at ZLMC from Robert isn't to convert you to a new religion, but to gently and lovingly teach you a life practice that can benefit you psychologically, socially and physically. The approach is grounded in learning to love yourself and comfortably begin to peacefully, compassionately and patiently approach your life and the world as it is, not as your mind deceives you into believing it is. ZLMC is a Chicago (and beyond) treasure. Both Robert and June are wonderful teachers. I'm sure everyone's path and experience is different. However, if you are looking for a place that is compassionate, non-judgmental, not preachy and free from weighty dogma to learn a bit about meditation without being judged or pressured, I'd encourage you to take a look a ZLMC in Oak Park and sign up for a class!

The Zen life and meditation center has been instrumental in reshaping my life into one that is…read morepurpose driven, mindful, and without excessive anxiety and stress. I am a student there and highly recommend anybody who questions whether they can improve their life to visit us!

Temple offers a weekly Qigong class on Tuesday mornings. If you're "not getting any younger,"…read moreQigong exercises are good for maintaining flexibility and balance. Dennis the instructor is a long time tai chi practitioner. No fee but donations are appreciated. Very low key - everyone goes at the speed and extent they are able (most of us are senior citizens). Temple's communications fall short of 5-star so you may not get accurate information from the website

I have been here years ago for the Japanese classes. The folks were really friendly and I liked the…read moreteacher a lot. They use Japanese for Busy People as their text, though, and having taken Japanese in high school and college, JfBP isn't a book I like for language learning. Classes were affordable, and they were laid back too. I enjoyed my time learning here.

I am a long time student and supporter of Taigen (Roshi). We first me in San Francisco around 2001…read morewhen I began sitting with his Sangtha. It is difficult to describe in words how important Taigen and his Sangha were to me then. My beloved father died in 2004 and I recall how supportive the Sangha was at that time. I guess you might say that Taigen was just the right teacher at the right time. I recall how impressed I was with Taigen's sincerity and passion for Soto Zen. Taigen helped to firmly shift my mind in the direction of the Dharma. It should also be noted that Taigen is considered one of the great contributors to the academic study of Dogen in the West. Deep Bows, Phil T

It feels a little funny giving a Buddhist temple a yelp review.... but here goes…read more I practiced here for more than 7 or so years and I would consider myself a former student. I very dearly miss the company of the people I practiced with at ADZG and I remember my time with them fondly. I came to ADZG a confused young man and I left a confused older man. If you're looking for a place that will fix you you're looking in the wrong place. Over the course of my attendance the guiding teacher spent countless hours with me answering my questions and at times showed greater concern for my well being than I had shown for myself. He is not perfect, he has things to work on and it's important to note that we all do. I'm not trying to minimize or maximize his benevolence and every person who enters ADZG will have a different experience of him. My ask, if I can make a request, is that you enter this space with your eyes open and your ears ready. This place may not be for you. You may run away after your first visit. But, please do not take any review of this place as the definition. Our age is poisoned by politics and partisanship. I've heard the guiding teacher make political statements during talks and I believe he should stop that immediately. But he's not a bad person and the people who go to ADZG are not in a cult. Zen isn't a leftist movement and if you're a more conservative person this practice is for you too.

IMU is an amazing gem in Rogers Park. They have a lovely free meditation every morning and…read morewonderful evening meditation classes such as Total Dancing and Beginner's meditation. I love the variety, the simplicity and beauty of the practices and all the staff are top notch. I would recommend it to anyone who loves to meditate or is ready to start meditating.

i've known of IMU for awhile but it was too darn far from me. now that I live around the corner,…read moreI'm thrilled. Amona is a lovely woman and quite receptive (and gets back to you quickly when you call). The staff is wonderful and they offer a variety of life enhancing classes. I've been to the anniversary celebration and a goddess gathering. healing to my soul

Although I was born in Chicago as half Swedish (father's side), half Sicilian (mother's side), and…read moreBaptized as Roman Catholic - I was raised as a Zen Buddhist. And the Midwest Buddhist Temple in Old Town was the place of meditation and Japanese culture where I and my family went most often. Because we lived in Lincoln Park less than a mile away. I was privileged to have this place be so prominent throughout my young life. It is a wonderful part of my heart. Annually the Midwest Buddhist Temple puts on it's traditional "Ginza Festival", at which there are food stalls, shopping tents, artisan demonstrations, and live music & dance performances on the temple's large outdoor stage.. Occasionally the Midwest Buddhist Temple offers classes in Japanese dance & music, as well as scheduled live performances. The temple is also the home of Chicago's famous "Ho Etsu Taiko".

It was their Ginza Holiday annual event! They had lots of food vendors and crafts! Performances on…read morethe main stage by Minyo dancers, Taiko drumming, Martial arts demonstrations and other groups. It was very entertaining!

I use to go to meditation sessions there on Friday nights with my wife, Ajahn Tappekorn was usually…read morethere, he was very good at guiding our sessions, and very accomadating to my crazy schedule. This is a great place!

Excellent temple, well cared for, went on several wkend retreats there, very comfortable. I highly…read morerecommend it.