
Welcome to One River Zen
Where ancient tradition meets modern life. At One River Zen, we blend the timeless teachings of Sōtō Zen Buddhism with contemporary practices to help you awaken to your true self and realize your full potential. Our community is rooted in tradition yet fully open to the present, empowering all to embody wisdom, compassion, and mindfulness in today’s world through daily practice.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Entering the Way | Fundamentals of Zen Practice is a four-week journey designed to ground you in the practices of meditation and mindfulness so you can begin to open to your life and recognize your true potential. It is a total transformation where we come face to face with our true selves.
STARTS APRIL 2nd
Embrace the flourishing energy of spring with One River Zen's Practice in Bloom Weekend Retreat, held April 25–27 in Ottawa, IL. This retreat offers a unique opportunity to pause, breathe, and harmonize with the natural rhythms of the season!
STARTS APRIL 25th
STARTS APRIL 3rd
Karma is more than just a spiritual concept—it is an intricate web of actions and consequences that influences every aspect of our existence. In Born in a Prison, we will investigate how these karmic forces give rise to the self, a construct that is continually reinforced by unconscious patterns and psychological defenses.
PRACTICE OFFERINGS
“If you are searching for fellowship with peaceful, mindful, and like-minded people look no further.”
-Rhonda N.
Visit Us
121 E Prospect Ave
Ottawa, IL 61350
One River Zen Meditation Center is located just over an hour from Chicago where the Illinois and Fox Rivers converge. We’re nestled in the Illinois River Valley near scenic Starved Rock State Park.
In this powerful and honest reflection, Genpō shares how meditation became more than a practice—it became a path through trauma, anxiety, and the quiet weight of daily life. From his early struggles with identity to his years as a first responder, this talk traces a journey back to presence, wonder, and clarity.
“Sometimes healing doesn’t come from figuring things out—
It comes from finally seeing that they were just stories all along.”