Joy in the Leaves Samu practice during Sesshin reminds us that awakening isn’t limited to the cushion. Here, raking leaves becomes wholehearted practice—each stroke of the rake an expression of clarity, each shared smile a moment of effortless belonging. Working side by side, we remember that simple tasks done with a clear mind can open the same gate as silent sitting. Joy arises naturally when nothing is held back. #OneRiverZen #SamuPractice #Sesshin #ZenLife #WorkPractice #AwakeningInAction #SanghaLife #RakingLeaves #OttawaIL #EverydayZen #sotozen #pickusottawail #zenlife

Firelight Practice Evening settles over the Illinois River, and we gather—bundled in blankets, warmed by the fire, and held by the quiet rhythm of practice. Nothing to force, nothing to fix. Just breath, warmth, and the gentle reminder that awakening is not somewhere else. It’s right here in the glow of shared presence, in the simple joy of sitting together under an open sky. Moments like this are why One River Zen exists. A place to return, again and again, to the heart of things. #OneRiverZen #ZenPractice #FirelightMeditation #IllinoisRiver #Zazen #SanghaLife #EveningPractice #OttawaIL #SitTogether #AwakeningEveryday #zenlife #pickusottawail #sotozen

Without Intention, Habit Runs the Week Here we are at the dawn of a wonderful, fresh, clean week. We like to think of it as pure and undefiled — and in a large sense it is — but we also carry into it a lot of our karmic proclivity as the week begins. When we turn our attention inside, we notice these vestiges of a notion called “I” that we take with us, recreate moment by moment. We see it as substantively formed through our conscious thoughts, but of course, once we’ve seen that, it doesn’t take long to see its spatial implications — that we use it to project ourselves into the environment, into the things we come in contact with and consider “other.” We recognize there is a lot of skill we must wield when we are working with this karmic momentum. All that being said, it’s important that we know we occupy space in a noble way, and that we recognize our true presence is all-inclusive. But perhaps even more importantly, there is a temporal aspect to karma. There is a habit-energy that we keep replicating over and over again — it is how we occupy time — and it depends on whether or not we carry an intention, whether we have set down a deep intention for how we are going to work with everything that arises. Once we have that intention set, that is where the chains of karma begin to unlatch. When we know what we are working with in terms of our intentions — how we are going to manifest — then everything else becomes looser, and we can loosen our grip on the idea of self. But until we see that, our habit-energy will continue to control us. So look carefully, as this week begins, at what your intentions are. If our intention is to manifest as compassion moment by moment, you will reap all of the joy associated with being the medicine. But if we carry forward our current proclivities — the habits by which we promulgate the self through time, unawares — then we remain embodied in that way for the week. #zenlife #dailyzen #pickusottawail #oneriverzen

During the 2025 Ango at One River Zen, Genpo Seth Myers received the kotsu from Sensei Michael Brunner to begin leading his first class. The kotsu is held provisionally and returned after each teaching — a reminder of the tremendous responsibility that comes with guiding others in the Way. #oneriverzen #zenpractice #angoseason #zentraining #zencommunity #practiceperiod #zensangha #buddhism #dharma #zenlife #ottawail #genposethmyers #livingdharma #awakeningtogether #zenpath #zenlife #pickusottawail

“The bell rings… an invitation to meet yourself. Beyond shame, beyond doubt, beyond grief — this is where practice becomes real. In dokusan, we come face to face with our own awakened nature — the One with limitless potential waiting to be seen. Step into the silence. Come see for yourself. Learn more at OneRiverZen.org.” #OneRiverZen #Dokusan #ZenPractice #Meditation #Mindfulness #Awakening #TrueSelf #ZenCenter #Zendo #OttawaIL #BuddhistPractice #PracticeRealization #AwakeningTogether #Stillness #Presence #LimitlessPotential #ZenLife #pickusottawail

“What’s Zen Practice All About? It’s about coming together — making friends with ourselves and with each other. It’s about learning how to open, really open, to this world as it is, and discovering that we ourselves can become the medicine it needs. Join us on the cushion. Sit. Breathe. Belong.” #OneRiverZen #ZenPractice #Zendo #Meditation #Mindfulness #OttawaIL #ZenCenter #CommunityOfPractice #BuddhistPractice #MeditationCommunity #HeartOfTheWay #AwakeningTogether #Stillness #Presence #PracticeRealization #ZenLife #pickusottawail #zenlife #sotozen

Scenes from our 2025 Ango Opening Sesshin at One River Zen — shared tea, laughter by the fire, stillness under the stars. Sesshin is where we return to what’s real: to breath, to friendship, to the quiet joy of simply being together. These days remind us that practice isn’t something apart from life — it is life, lived fully and awake. Our next retreats are coming soon, and all are welcome to join us — whether you’re brand new to Zen or deep in the Way. Come sit, share tea, and discover how ordinary moments can open into boundless peace. #OneRiverZen #Ango2025 #Sesshin #ZenPractice #Zazen #OttawaIL #ZenLife #PracticePeriod #AwakeningTogether #MindfulLiving #EternalSpringOrder #EverydayZen #DharmaCommunity #BonfireMeditation #TeaAndDharma #RetreatLife #PickUsOttawaIL #OneRiverFlow #MichaelBrunnerOttawaIL

🪷 Look, it’s a sign! 🪷 It’s time to start your meditation practice at One River Zen. Just walk through the front door—we’ll take care of the rest. Meditation is always free, and everyone is welcome! 🕰 Weekly Schedule     •    Monday–Friday: 6:30–7:15 AM     •    Wednesday Evening: 6:00–6:45 PM     •    Saturday: 9:00 AM Step inside. Take a seat. Discover your true potential. #LookItsASign #OneRiverZen #ZenLife #MeditationPractice #ZenCommunity #DailyMeditation #OttawaIL #PickUsOttawaIL #Mindfulness #ZenInIllinois #SitWithUs #TruePotential #MeditationForAll #ZenCenter #QuietMind #sotozen #zenlife

Saturday Morning Zen at ORZ 🌅 8:00 AM · Buddhist Service 9:00 AM · Meditation (zazen & walking) 9:45 AM · Dharma Talk Join us for the full morning or any part that fits your schedule. All are welcome—no experience needed. Cushions and chairs provided. 📍 One River Zen · 121 E. Prospect Ave · Ottawa, IL #OneRiverZen #Zen #Zazen #Meditation #Buddhism #Mindfulness #Sangha #BeginnerFriendly #OttawaIL #SaturdayMorning #PracticeTogether #ZenPractice  #BeginnerMind #WakeUpNow #SeeClearly #JustThis #EverydayZen #MindfulLiving #LetGoAndLook #NoSelfieNoSelf #oneriverzen #zenlife #pickusottawail #sotozen