People come to Zen for many different reasons: to satisfy curiousity. relieve stress, improve physical health, enhance mental concentration, promote emotional well-being, develop a spiritual practice-even to fulfill school assignments!

    All of these reasons are okay. The best reason to practice Zen is to attain our true nature-to deeply understand "What am I?" and then use that understanding to help everyone around us.
      
    We meet every Wednesday and Sunday, starting at 6:30 p.m., at 408 South Baldwin Street (near the intersection of Baldwin and Williamson streets) in Madison, Wisconsin. Our phone number is (608) 221-3379, and our web address is: www.isthmuszencommunity.org.

    On Wednesday evenings, we hold short practice, especially designed for beginners (though beginners are welcome anytime), which lasts approximately one hour. This includes three chants, sitting meditation, and reading. On Sunday evenings, we have long practice, which lasts for approximately two hours. This includes five chants, two rounds of sitting meditation with ten minutes of walking meditation in between, and reading.