Main Navigation
Zen Meditation as taught at San Francisco Zen Center is in Tampa.
In the spirit and tradition of the San Francisco Zen Center’s first Abbot, Shunryu Suzuki, we practice and teach Zazen, or Zen meditation. Zazen is not focused on beliefs or concepts and participants are not taught what to believe.
In Zen practice, each person is encouraged to study the self and accept the reality of one’s own life without fear.
We utilize a traditional Zen posture and simple forms.
In Zazen (meditation), we choose to let go of our thoughts to calm our active minds. Zazen helps us bring stillness and focus into our daily lives as we practice being engaged fully in each moment. This engagement with reality helps wipe away our aversion to the raw face of life, just as it is.
We meet every Sunday morning for two sessions of sitting meditation and both experienced and beginners are always welcome. Instruction and meditation practice are always free. Donations are accepted.
Visit our Schedule page for our location and complete Sunday schedule.
For additional information click on our About page, visit us on Facebook or contact us at tzc@tampazencenter.org
“For Zen students the most important thing is not to be dualistic. Our "original mind" includes everything within itself. It is always rich and sufficient within itself. You should not lose your self-sufficient state of mind. This does not mean a closed mind, but actually an empty mind and a ready mind. If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything; it is open to everything. In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few.” - Shunryu Suzuki Roshi
Copyright 2013 © Tampa Zen Center. All rights reserved.
“So the most difficult thing is always to keep your beginner's mind. There is no need to have a deep understanding of Zen. Even though you read much Zen literature, you must read each sentence with a fresh mind. You should not say, "I know what Zen is," or "I have attained enlightenment." This is also the real secret of the arts: always be a beginner. Be very very careful about this point. If you start to practice zazen, you will begin to appreciate your beginner's mind. It is the secret of Zen practice.”
Shunryu Suzuki Roshi 1905 - 1971
Gratitude naturally arises as one enters practice and experiences the support of Sangha, the community of practitioners. One way to express our gratitude is through Dana (generosity) in the practice of regular membership giving. While no one needs to formally join the Tampa Zen Center in order to share in our practice, TZC is only able to exist through contributions of time and money by committed supporters. Membership pledges are the cornerstone of the budget that makes our existence possible.
We encourage members to contribute $25 a month, if possible, to our Dana bowl.
If you wish to make a donation, Tampa Zen Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and all recorded donations are tax deductible. Donations can be made through our PayPal account.
If you would like more information about becoming a member or making a tax deductible donation please contact us at tzc@tampazencenter.org.
