6901 SW 14th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50315
DONATENew to Zen?
DONATEThe Intro to Zen: 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 periodically, with new sessions scheduled at intervals throughout the year. Please watch for announcements 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.
The classes will include instruction in Zen meditation, the cultivation of mindfulness following the ancient teaching on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, and how to apply these teachings in our everyday lives, giving 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. Registration for the upcoming class is now closed. Please watch for announcements about the next Fall class registration.
The classes will be taught by the DMZC's guiding teacher Rev. Eishin Tom Houghton. Each class will focus on one of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. Each class will include periods of Zen meditation (i.e. zazen), a presentation by Eishin on one of the Four Foundations, suggested assignments for the following week intended to practice the Foundation discussed, and a sharing by participants of their experiences practicing the Foundations and zazen. The hope is that each class is very interactive between participants. Participants are encouraged to attend all classes to make the most of building relationships and practicing consistency.
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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