Zen Life & Meditation Center Chicago

What a lovely oasis of warmth and kindness in this often cold and harsh world.

I have been a member of ZLMC for more than a year and have found the approach to meditation practice very intelligent and accessible to people from different religious and secular backgrounds. Outside of the meditation classes and sessions, the ZLMC is also the heart of a great group of community-​minded people who are very fun and welcoming, offering many group discussion circles, informal brunches, artistic workshops, and more. I am a busy mom working full time, and cannot take advantage of all the events I would like to, but whenever I can fit in a class series or even just a group meditation session I am so happy I did!

The Zen Center is a wonderful place to learn to expand your mind and spirit. I’ve taken several class and all have made such positive impacts in the way I live and interpret life. I especially like the secular approach taken with the classes and there are opportunities to learn and practice Zen Buddhism if that is something for you. But again I appreciate that there is no religious pressure. I highly recommend anyone new or experienced with meditation to take the Gateway class.

I took the 4-​class Primer Series recently, after having delved into meditation on my own over the past several months. Registering for the classes was always easy, and they seem very organized. The facility is a simple, welcoming corner storefront that provides a comfortable setting to learn and sit.
The class sizes were always just right — about 10 people. Not too crowded, but not empty. Robert Althouse led each class and provided us with an outline for the class’s topics. Each class was 90 minutes, which I found to be just right.
Seeing as meditation and mindfulness is a journey, and there are so many forms of meditation, I think this series led by Robert provides you with enough inspiration to either continue with the next series of classes, or to continue on your own.
I always looked forward to attending my class, and I feel like I am more knowledgeable and confident in my sitting.

I Absolutely Love this place. Great place for a fantastic foundation in Meditation. My Mom and I did the Intro. To Zen Meditation Class and it was fantastic!

This review is only about the Center’s Day of Mindfulness. I attended this day with my friend who was a newcomer to meditation. I have been to many meditation retreats and am not new to mindfulness or meditation. In all of my experiences on weekend retreats, day-​long retreats, 10-​day retreats, I have never experienced something like what commenced at the Zen Life and Meditation Center. After a delightful dharma talk by a guest speaker, some sitting/​walking meditation, and lunch, we had a «working meditation.» This included helping the owners of the Center help with their move from their house on Humphrey to an apartment next to the Center. The «work meditation» involved going over to the owners’ house (through a good deal of snow), moving heavy boxes of books down at least 4 floors of very slippery and steep stairs. We then transported the boxes back to the apartment next to the center and carried them up another flight of stairs. The box moving felt very dangerous (steep stairs!) and it was very odd that the owner (Mr Althouse) did not even leave his study to assist or thank us. He did mention that there were bookcases that needed to be moved in addition to the boxes. The other people who did not help move the boxes vacuumed and mopped the entire center (mindfully). I am certainly a giving person and willing to help those in need. However, I want the request for help to be transparent. I don’t want things to be masked in something that they are not. The owners clearly needed help moving. Instead of asking for help, they incorporated an hour in their retreat (which I paid $ 75 to experience) called «working meditation». If they had emailed me separately and asked me for assistance, I would be more inclined to help. There was nothing meditative about moving the boxes. I also would have appreciated forewarning that there was a hula lesson involved in this day. The instructor said it was a mindful exercise, but it felt very disconnected.
I would not recommend this Day of Mindfulness for individuals who are new to meditation. My friend who attended with me felt there was not enough instruction. This event is probably best suited for individuals who are regulars at the center and are familiar with the working meditation and this type of thing. I was pretty disappointed in my experience. I give it 2 stars because I did enjoy the dharma talk; the lunch was pleasant and nourishing, and meditation in general feels good.
UPDATE: I would like to note my appreciation to the owners for refunding $ 75 to me (I agreed to pay ½ tuition for me and for my friend to pay for the some of the operating costs). I do wish them well and hope they communicate clearly all that is involved in the retreat for future participants. I have hope that they have the openness to take the feedback and grow from my experience.

I’ve tried other practices, but this Zen practice of just meditation fits just right. The classes are simple, structured and supportive and I am finding time in my day to meditate and reaping the benefits. I’m not as worried about life, am more positive and less judgmental, don’t «snap» at unexpected stimuli and feel, well, more Zen as I walk through life. We took the first 8 courses over several months and became members because we are hooked. We want to learn more ways to let Zen pervade our lives. (The only reason I didn’t give five stars is sometimes the classes aren’t at the best times for me and my schedule). Peace!

I love this place. It’s a wonderful way to learn meditation and get centered in your life. Their offerings are extensive and reasonable. I just strongly recommend that you give Zen Life & Meditation Center a try.

ZLMC is an unexpected oasis. For those of you who are looking for some techniques to deal with the stress that comes with life or if you are wanting to embark on a spiritual path, this is the perfect place to go. The co-​founders, June and Robert, are sincere, easy to talk to, and exceptionally good at what they do. It is abundantly clear that they practice what they preach and they live a zen inspired life. If you are not sure what to expect my advice is to just go and see what it is like there and you will be happy that you did.

Trolling the internet for ideas to help reconnect with a lapsed Meditation practice brought me to ZLMC in Oak Park. Their informative website provided all I needed to get me back on track, including a description of their «Primer Series» of classes for «Living a Zen– Inspired Life». Perfect timing for me in everyway! I enrolled in the series of 4 classes. The curriculum is interesting and well thought out. It provides a good structure for building a meditation practice and more. I am greatly encouraged to have found a place so welcoming, kind and helpful. It is truly just what I was looking for!

This Meditation Center truly is wonderful and hidden amongst the lush, tranquil atmosphere of Oak Park. I came across this place on Unilocal a few months ago and realized it was right around the corner from my house. Score! I couldn’t believe it. If you are looking to just meet some like-​minded peaceful and calm individuals this is the place to go. June and Robert are wonderful hosts and have a beautiful space. The moss garden and outdoor meditation space is so amazing. You should stop by and say hello if you are ever in the area.

I came across the Zen Life and Meditation Center (ZLMC) website not to long ago. I was struck by the website as it talked about meditation in such an understandable, practical and «user friendly» manner. I wondered if since website was so approachable… maybe the people & courses at the Center were too. Well, I decided to find out and signed up for a 2 day meditation retreat. I am really thankful I did! I am basically a meditation novice, and was nervous before going, but the staff and members of the ZLMC could not have been any more welcoming.
The retreat’s 2 days of meditation were transformational. I had never sat, silently, for 2 days, in my entire life. Many of the issues, the chronic knots and stresses in my life, well they didn’t disappear, but they sure did diminish. Since the retreat, I react less to stress, am more relaxed overall, and have have a renewed sense of internal direction and peace. Maybe most importantly, I have been able to develop a daily meditation practice. Essentially, I think that this is what ZLMC offers — a place to go, learn and practice meditation, in a community setting, which will give you the skills, energy and MOTIVATION to go back to your life and live it in a way which you maybe hadn’t though possible.

This is a wonderful, peaceful place to join others on their journeys towards inner peace. The atmosphere feels very much like a friend’s home. The primer series has been incredibly helpful so far, and there’s nothing like sitting zazen with a group of welcoming people in a comfortable, warm place. The back yard with its hula mound and sand garden is lovely, and there is always a nice pot of hot ginger tea to share after a class. Roshi is attentive, gentle and informative, using biology and neuroscience to strengthen the validity of his teachings for anyone who is unconvinced of the benefits of meditation. He also offers private teaching/​counseling for anyone interested in serious studies in buddhism. June, his wife, helps out with a very kind and sweet demeanor and also teaches hula as well as offering reiki treatments at the center. The prices for everything they offer are very reasonable.

The good folks at this lovely, home Zen center may have figured the whole thing out. They took a look at the mess the world is suffering — the recession, the transitions, the rising violence, the shifting attitudes — and created a curriculum for a «Zen-​Inspired Lifestyle» that can help us all regardless of faith, religion, race, gender, and everything else.
I just finished the first series of classes called the Primer Series, which was an introduction to the center itself, the practice, theory, and benefits of meditation. Before my only meditation experience was briefly at the Shambhala center, but since coming here, I’ve been meditating at least 3x a week, way more than the zero times a week I did before the classes.
Both the Roshi and his wife are such compassionate people who I believe to be the most honest people I know.
They have the best free meditation schedule for me during the week, and the prices are more than reasonable for their classes, events, and retreats, especially if you become a member (starting at $ 10 a month).
I can continue to ramble in excitement, but I think it’s best you just come and experience this place for yourself.