WHAT IS
ZEN
?
An Interactive Online Course with
Norman Fischer and Susan Moon
- Registration Open for a Limited Time -
Whether you’re new to the Zen tradition or have been practicing for a long time, the question What is Zen? is an ongoing exploration. In this new course with skilled Zen teachers and long-time practitioners Norman Fischer and Susan Moon, you’ll embark on a lively contemplation and conversation that uncovers the beauty, depth, and misconceptions of this rich practice and all it has to offer in helping you wake up and appreciate the preciousness of daily living.
About
This Course
Zen can seem like it's draped in mystery with its many rituals and rules, but at its core it’s simple: learning how to be with yourself in any moment.
When you practice Zen, you uncover what it means to be human, and it can help you transform your suffering, nourish relationships, and fully appreciate the ordinary miracle of living.
In this 6-week interactive course, you’ll find inspiration and tools for facing the complexities of daily life through the lens of Zen. Norman Fischer and Susan Moon take you through the ins and outs of zazen practice and how it applies to a Western lifestyle; you’ll learn what it is and what it's not—dispelling common misconceptions so that the real beauty of the practice can unfold.
Featuring more than 8 hours of recorded video teachings, 3 live Q&A sessions, live weekly meditation sessions via Zoom, ample supplemental material, and much more, What Is Zen? is an invitation into wholehearted engagement with your life and our beautiful, suffering, awe-inspiring world, designed for the beginner and the long-time practitioner alike.
What You Will Learn
This 6-week online course is your gateway to Zen in everyday life. We’ll explore:
The Art of Letting Go
Relieve stuckness and unhelpful views on life
Establishing a Zazen Practice
Learn a simple and profound technique to deepen your path
How to Study Zen
Learn the nuances and benefits of a home study and the beauty of beginner’s mind
Joy in Daily Living
Discover freedom and wonderment as you grow intimate with the preciousness of life
Befriending Your Experiences
Wake up to the present moment and access your own good nature in every moment
Your Course Includes
Receive a rich collection of resources to discover or refresh your understanding of Zen and how it applies to daily living
8 Hours of Video Teachings
Get an in-depth understanding of Zen with over 8 hours of practical lectures, meditation instruction, and Q&A sessions
Live Calls with Norman and Susan
Take part in the conversation and join 3 live 75-minute Q&A calls for this course (2 p.m. EDT on Saturdays, April 15, April 29, and May 13)
Live Meditation Sessions
Join your fellow students in weekly live meditation sessions over Zoom.
Downloadable Audio Files
Take these profound teachings with you wherever you are—in the car, on a walk, or over the kitchen sink
Downloadable Transcripts
Review the lectures at your own pace, highlight, and take notes with downloadable PDF transcripts
Interactive Discussion Forums
Connect with other students and receive guidance from senior practitioners on our facilitated discussion boards
PLUS:
Special Program Bonuses
Bonus 1:
Free 1hr Video on Heart Sutra
Receive an hour long video featuring Joan Halifax and Kaz Tanahashi on the enigma of the Heart Sutra, a seminal text in Zen and many other buddhist traditions.
Bonus 2:
50% Off Books
Expand your library with 50% off the recommended reading list for this course that is published by Shambhala Publications.
Sign Up Today!
Experience the profound effect
of these teachings in your own life!
100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
If for any reason you are not completely satisfied, please e-mail us within 30 days, and we will promptly refund your purchase price.
Fellowships for people of color are available for this course.
Apply HereCourse Curriculum
This course has been designed with you in mind
LESSON 1
The Why and How of Zen
- Become familiar with Zen—what it is, and what it isn’t—and dispel common misconceptions to discover the real beauty of this unfolding path
- Learn the foundational practice, zazen, and the simple techniques for uniting body, mind, breath, and heart
- Discover how to build trust in yourself, the practice, and the present moment through surrender and the art of letting go
LESSON 2
Zen and Relationships
- Discover the real Zen: it's not just an austere, silent practice but a way to deeply engage in a relationship with the world
- Learn how to stay in presence with those who are suffering, allowing yourself to share in human experience and connection, rather than trying to fix it
- Learn to not turn away from what’s difficult in your relationships and develop a non-judging attitude towards situations that arise
LESSON 3
To Study or Not to Study?
- Discover a practical approach to the study of Buddhist literature and learn some of the texts Zen uses to help you see into your true nature
- Use “don’t know mind” and caring for others as antidotes to fear
- Know the limits of literature—whatever can be written about the ineffable is still not the heart of Zen, which is discovered through your practice
LESSON 4
Ethics and Impossible Vows
- Learn the Sixteen Precepts and the Four Zen Vows: the pointers that direct you towards clarity and loving-kindness in all your actions
- Meet adversity as a bodhisattva would—with patience, perseverance, and compassion
- Know the two sides of Zen practice, “sitting down and getting up again," and how to emphasize compassionate relating as you move about the world
LESSON 5
The Art of Living
- See Zen as not just another activity to add to your schedules, but as something that can be practiced in anything you do
- Learn to take up daily tasks with the attitude of joy and gratitude, recognizing the privilege of everyday human life
- Avoid the misconception that thinking mindfulness is just noticing things: it's bringing spaciousness, luminosity, and depth to what you are living right now
LESSON 6
What Is Enlightenment and Why Should We Care?
- Dispel common myths about enlightenment—it's not an ultimate achievement but a continual process of coming into wholeness with your own humanity
- Learn to recognize everyday awakening moments as you stay present with mundane actions
- Discover a basic joyfulness for life that comes when you maintain a longterm practice
Course Excerpts
Retreat Summary
8 Hours of
Video
Live Calls with
Susan Moon and Norman Fischer
Facilitated
Discussion Forums
Live
Meditation Sessions
Printable
Transcripts
Downloadable
Audio Files
Unlimited
Access
Sign Up Today!
Experience the profound effect
of these teachings in your own life!
100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
If for any reason you are not completely satisfied, please e-mail us within 30 days, and we will promptly refund your purchase price.
About the Teachers
NORMAN FISCHER is a Zen teacher, poet, translator, and director of the Everyday Zen Foundation. A beloved figure in the Buddhist world, he is also well-known for his efforts at interreligious dialogue. His numerous books include The World Could Be Otherwise: Imagination and the Bodhisattva Path, What Is Zen?: Plain Talk for a Beginner’s Mind, and Training in Compassion: Zen Teachings on the Practice of Lojong.
SUSAN MOON is a writer, editor, and Buddhist teacher in the Soto Zen tradition. For many years she has taught and led Zen retreats nationally and internationally. Her books include This Is Getting Old, The Hidden Lamp, and What Is Zen? with Norman Fischer. Her most recent book, Alive Until You’re Dead, is a collection of essays about the surprising perks of mortality. Susan is a contributor to Lion’s Roar, Tricycle, and other publications.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the course begin?
The course is self-paced apart from the live elements, so you can get started as soon as you enroll and go at your own pace. The interactive portion of the course begins on April 15, 2023.
How long does it take to complete the course?
There are six lessons in the course and each lesson is designed to last a week. However, the course is flexible; you can work at your own pace and benefit just as much from the course even if it takes you longer to go through it. We encourage you to download videos as you go through the course for your own personal use in the future. You will continue to have unlimited access to the course materials online as well.
How long will I have access to the course?
Your access to the course is unlimited. It will not expire.
When are the live calls with Norman and Susan?
The dates and times for the live calls are below:
Saturday, April 15 at 2:00 p.m.–3:15 p.m. EDT
Saturday, April 29 at 2:00 p.m.–3:15 p.m. EDT
Saturday, May 13 at 2:00 p.m.–3:15 p.m. EDT
Recordings of the calls will be made available in the course for those who are unable to attend the calls or who would like to listen to them again.
Can I still take this training without a desktop/laptop computer (for example, if I only have an iPad)?
Yes, you can access this course using the browser on your device. However, please note that if you’d like to save any of the course materials, you will need to download to a computer first and then transfer the files to your device. The live sessions will be held through Zoom.
What if I have technical difficulties with the course?
We have a dedicated course support person who can help you with any issues you may encounter in navigating or accessing the course. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.