Welcome to One River Zen
One River Zen is a living Sōtō Zen Buddhist community devoted to discovering the wonder already present in this life. Rooted in centuries of Zen practice and responsive to the world we inhabit now, we come together for meditation, Dharma teaching, retreats, study, and compassionate action. Our practice is about meeting this life completely, cultivating wisdom and compassion, and allowing awakening to take expression in the way we live.

Practice With Us

Whether you're encountering Zen for the first time or looking to deepen an established practice, there is a place for you at One River Zen.

Public Meditation

Monday–Friday

6:30–7:30 AM

Wednesday Evening

6:00–7:15 PM

Saturday Morning

9:00–10:00 AM

In person and online. Newcomers are always welcome.

Deepen Your Practice

Zen is not something we practice alone. Discover the support of a living Sangha through ongoing classes, retreats, personal guidance, and formal student relationships.

Begin or deepen your journey as a Zen student at One River Zen.

Explore One River Zen

FEATURED CLASSES & RETREATS

COLD MOUNTAIN IS NOT FAR AWAY | THE ZEN POETRY OF HANSHAN, SHIDE & FEGGAN

Join us for a four-week Zen Studies series starting November 25th exploring the poetry of Hanshan, Shide, and Fenggan, and what their teachings reveal about impermanence, Buddha-nature, and the freedom found in this very life.

Offered online & in-person

ENTERING STILLNESS | WEEKEND MEDITATION RETREAT

This weekend retreat on December 4–6 offers an opportunity to step out of the momentum of ordinary life and enter the quiet rhythm of Zen practice. Through meditation, silence, mindful activity, Dharma teaching, and rest, we allow things to settle and discover the intimacy of this moment.

Residential retreat

SEEING OURSELVES IN THE MIRROR OF REALITY

Join us for a four-week Zen Studies series starting January 6th. exploring the Precious Mirror Samadhi, one of the foundational teaching poems of Sōtō Zen. Through its remarkable imagery of mirrors, reflections, snow, and moonlight, we will examine the relationship between sameness and difference, the nature of awakening, and what it means to recognize the Dharma in the ordinary circumstances of our lives.

Offered online & in-person

“If you are searching for fellowship with peaceful, mindful, and like-minded people look no further.”
-Rhonda N.

IN THE NEWS

One River Zen in the Community
One River Zen, arts center launch artist residency program
One River Zen, arts center launch artist residency program

Shaw Local highlights One River Zen’s partnership with the Ottawa Center for the Arts and the launch of its eight-week Artist-in-Residence Program, bringing Zen practice and the creative process together for artists, writers, musicians, performers, and other creatives throughout the community.

Read more in The Times

Read more →
David’s Clubhouse Partners with W Social Club to Expand Sensory-Friendly Services in Ottawa, IL
David’s Clubhouse Partners with W Social Club to Expand Sensory-Friendly Services in Ottawa, IL

WGN recently highlighted David’s Clubhouse, an outreach of One River Zen, and its partnership with W Social Club to expand sensory-friendly services in Ottawa and throughout LaSalle County.

Read the story on WGN →

Read more →
David’s Clubhouse Opens in Downtown Ottawa, Creating Inclusive Indoor Play Space for Children and Families
David’s Clubhouse Opens in Downtown Ottawa, Creating Inclusive Indoor Play Space for Children and Families

The new outreach founded by Sensei Michael Brunner and Hoshi Vanessa Roddam provides inclusive play and sensory-friendly features so children of all abilities can play together.

→ Read the full story in The Des Moines Register

Read more →
One River Zen Ordains New Buddhist Priest in Ottawa, IL
One River Zen Ordains New Buddhist Priest in Ottawa, IL

The ceremony of Shukke Tokudo — formal home-leaving in the Sōtō Zen tradition — was officiated by Abbot Sensei Sōen Michael Brunner and signifies a deep commitment to lifelong practice, service, and embodying the Dharma in everyday life. Read on WGN

Read more →

SOUTH TEMPLE CAMPUS
121 E Prospect Ave
Ottawa, IL 61350

This is the site where it all began. The South Temple Campus now serves primarily as retreat housing and a setting for selected special events.

Its restored 1890 Victorian residence offers a quieter, more residential environment for overnight retreat participants, visiting teachers, and other special gatherings connected with One River Zen.

Set near Ottawa’s riverfront, the South Temple Campus remains an important part of our practice community while supporting the deeper retreat and residential side of temple life.

Visit Us

ONE RIVER ZEN COMMUNITY CENTER
110 West Jefferson Street
Ottawa, IL 61350

The One River Zen Community Center is now the primary home for our public practice and community life.

Public meditation, Dharma talks, classes, workshops, membership programs, community outreach, David’s Clubhouse, and most special programs now take place here.

Located in the historic Jefferson Street district, the Community Center is where our Sangha gathers, practices, learns, serves, and connects with the wider community.

This is the heart of day-to-day life at One River Zen.

Instagram @oneriverzen

The first batch of ORZ merchandise is coming soon! 🎉 Handcrafted scented candles and more!
The first batch of ORZ merchandise is coming soon! 🎉 Handcrafted scented candles and more!
STAY WHERE YOU ARE It’s a frightening trend sometimes in the news—you hear about someone trying to take a selfie, and they wind up walking over the edge of a cliff or stepping into traffic and getting themselves hurt. In a constant effor
STAY WHERE YOU ARE It’s a frightening trend sometimes in the news—you hear about someone trying to take a selfie, and they wind up walking over the edge of a cliff or stepping into traffic and getting themselves hurt. In a constant effort to reframe themselves in more and more beautiful circumstances, they forget where they are. And in forgetting where they are, they put themselves in danger. We might think our practice would exclude us from that, but it’s important from time to time to take a good look at where we’re actually standing. Take a look at the efforts we make to reform things, to beautify our circumstances in our mind’s eye. But when we return to where we actually are, when we step into the circumstances of our life as they present themselves, we don’t need to be concerned about the kind of damage that comes from not paying attention. So today, when you find yourself drifting off in that way—trying to place yourself somewhere more beautiful or serene than where you are—instead, return to the earth under your feet. Engage your hands and address the suffering that’s right in front of you. That’s the only way this transformational liberation will ever manifest—not just for you, but for everyone you encounter. Have a wonderful morning! #Zen #Meditation #Mindfulness #Dharma #Awakening
We often think of Zen practice in a stylized way. But "service" is ultimately the same in the Buddha Hall and on the job site. All of it is included, and all of it is a source of joy and awakening if we appreciate it fully. This isn't a dre
We often think of Zen practice in a stylized way. But "service" is ultimately the same in the Buddha Hall and on the job site. All of it is included, and all of it is a source of joy and awakening if we appreciate it fully. This isn't a dress rehearsal–it is your life! Practice all of it!
WELCOME OUR NEWEST BODHISATTVA TO ONE RIVER ZEN Today we celebrate Issan Howl Stephen’s Jukai—his vow to live with steadiness, presence, and unwavering care. Before the gathered Sangha, he received the precepts and the Dharma name Issan
WELCOME OUR NEWEST BODHISATTVA TO ONE RIVER ZEN Today we celebrate Issan Howl Stephen’s Jukai—his vow to live with steadiness, presence, and unwavering care. Before the gathered Sangha, he received the precepts and the Dharma name Issan (一山)—One Mountain—a name that reflects the quiet strength and grounded stability he embodies each day as a practitioner and member of this community. A mountain does not move for praise or blame. It remains, enduring the shifting conditions of the world without losing its place. In this way, Issan meets each moment not with resistance, but with a steady and open presence—returning again and again to what is here. Like the bodhisattvas who remain with what is difficult, he continues to show up with sincerity and care, offering himself fully to the Way and to others. Congratulations, Issan! May your vow continue to deepen and support all those whose lives you touch. 🙏
#OneRiverZen #Jukai #BodhisattvaPath #SotoZen #PracticeTogether
TOUCH THE WONDER BEYOND EXPECTATIONS In our practice, it can be tempting sometimes to consider a state of wonder, or not knowing, as some sort of handicap—something to be avoided. We desperately want to know. We have expectations, and we want
TOUCH THE WONDER BEYOND EXPECTATIONS In our practice, it can be tempting sometimes to consider a state of wonder, or not knowing, as some sort of handicap—something to be avoided. We desperately want to know. We have expectations, and we want them to be met. The issue isn’t that the world will fail to live up to our expectations and we sit there and think that our expectations are something golden. If we even look at them, our expectations aren’t particularly ambitious. There’s still a lot of suffering involved there, a lot of falling short, a lot of compromise. But if we allow ourselves to ease comfortably into wonder, we’ll recognize that life itself presents many, many more opportunities, and is much more vast, boundless, and buoyant than any expectation. So watch today when you have expectations creeping subtly in, and try to look beyond them. Maintain your wonder. It’s the only way you’re going to be exposed to the truth of what this awakened life is. Have a wonderful morning. I look forward to seeing all of you first thing in the morning tomorrow for meditation.Take care. #Zen #Meditation #Mindfulness #Dharma #Awakening
BE THE MEDICINE REQUIRED Good morning and welcome to the dawn of a brand new, beautiful day. As we sit at the beginning of a vista like this, many of us are already projecting our thoughts forward—perhaps anticipating wonderful things, dreadin
BE THE MEDICINE REQUIRED Good morning and welcome to the dawn of a brand new, beautiful day. As we sit at the beginning of a vista like this, many of us are already projecting our thoughts forward—perhaps anticipating wonderful things, dreading what is coming up, or simply expecting the “same old, same old”. But if we are clinging to any sort of expectation, we lose the wonder required to approach our day with the compassion necessary to truly step into the circumstances of our lives. This morning, it is important that we look at the “jail cells” of our minds where we hold our expectations and judgments, and finally open them up to be aired out. This is the only way we can see what is actually in front of us and, even more importantly, dissolve ourselves into the work at hand. I invite you to cultivate a sense of deep wonder today and be astonished at everything that arises. Be the medicine required to see the suffering you encounter transformed. #ZenMind #DailyMeditation #Mindfulness #Presence #Compassion
WELCOME OUR NEWEST BODHISATTVA TO ONE RIVER ZEN Today we celebrate Jōnin’s Jukai—his vow to live with steadiness, patience, and unwavering care. Before the gathered Sangha, he received the precepts and the Dharma name Jōnin (定忍)—S
WELCOME OUR NEWEST BODHISATTVA TO ONE RIVER ZEN Today we celebrate Jōnin’s Jukai—his vow to live with steadiness, patience, and unwavering care. Before the gathered Sangha, he received the precepts and the Dharma name Jōnin (定忍)—Settled Endurance—a name that reflects the quiet strength and consistency he embodies each day as an artist, a father, and a practitioner. In a life that asks for continual presence, Jōnin meets each moment not with force, but with a gentle and enduring commitment. Like the bodhisattvas who remain with what is difficult, he returns again and again, offering care without hesitation. Congratulations, Jōnin. May your vow continue to deepen and support all those whose lives you touch. 🙏 #OneRiverZen #Jukai #BodhisattvaPath #SotoZen #PracticeTogether
APPRECIATE THE LIFE THAT IS PRESENTING ITSELF RIGHT NOW I’ve said this many times before, but ultimately this practice isn’t something separate. This practice is the very practice of our own life. Zen mastery is the mastery of our own ci
APPRECIATE THE LIFE THAT IS PRESENTING ITSELF RIGHT NOW I’ve said this many times before, but ultimately this practice isn’t something separate. This practice is the very practice of our own life. Zen mastery is the mastery of our own circumstances. And so we often say, “I’ll make more time for practice when things are going well.” I’ll practice more when I can take a vacation, catch my breath, or get past this deadline. Not realizing, of course, that catching your breath — or racing toward the deadline — is your practice. So if we really want to summarize what this practice is about, once we have some degree of realization — once we recognize that practice means placing our attention with intention — then the practice begins to actualize. And the actualization of this practice is very simple: Appreciate your life. Not the life you wish you had.
Not the life you’ll have someday. Appreciate the life that is presenting itself right now. Even in the midst of challenges — or maybe especially in the midst of challenges — put a big smile on and walk bravely into them. Really appreciate what is being brought forward. You won’t always have that opportunity. Have a wonderful morning! #zenpractice #dailyzen #mindfulness #presentmoment #oneriverzen
SIT WITH WONDER AT YOUR OWN “SCAREDNESS” If we look carefully at the contours of our karmic landscape — the way things present themselves in our lives — we’ll notice that much of it is defined by fear. The boundaries b
SIT WITH WONDER AT YOUR OWN “SCAREDNESS” If we look carefully at the contours of our karmic landscape — the way things present themselves in our lives — we’ll notice that much of it is defined by fear. The boundaries between self and other, between this and that, between good and bad, mine and yours — all of it is often created through aversion or fear. So it makes sense that a big part of our practice is becoming very wise about how we approach fear — this unseen force that is constantly shaping our actions. Today, when you notice aversion, when you notice the urge to push something away, or when you find yourself scared of something, try something different. Walk into it. Approach your fear with curiosity. Sit with wonder at your own “scaredness.” That’s the only way you’re going to master the dialectic that is constantly trying to control your life and your ability to engage freely. You may find that when you examine fear closely — when you draw near to the very thing that scares you — the boundaries between yourself and other begin to soften. The things that once seemed insurmountable begin to appear much more clear. But it requires doing the opposite of what you’re inclined to do. Instead of turning away, draw close. Have a wonderful morning! #zenpractice #dailyzen #mindfulness #fearless #oneriverzen
YOU CAN PUT ALL THAT DOWN It’s easy for us, when we’re caught in the discursive mind — the goal-seeking mind — to feel like we’ve lost our way. We keep repeating to ourselves: I’ll be okay when. I’ll be okay
YOU CAN PUT ALL THAT DOWN It’s easy for us, when we’re caught in the discursive mind — the goal-seeking mind — to feel like we’ve lost our way. We keep repeating to ourselves: I’ll be okay when. I’ll be okay when things at work are going better. I’ll be okay when my partner finally sees the light and the relationship changes. When we feel like we’ve lost our way, we often try to retrace our steps and see where we went wrong. But more often than not, we just wind up going around in circles, seeing the same sights again and again, and never quite arriving. Today, just realize you can put all that down. You’re already standing precisely where you need to be. There’s no need to retrace your steps. There’s no need to go looking somewhere else. The practice you’ve been called to is the practice that’s right before you. And you’re already okay. In fact, you’re more than okay. So put your hands to work with what’s presenting itself. You’ll see that even the suffering in front of you can be transformed into nourishment for everything and everyone you encounter. Just stop wandering off and going in circles. Have a wonderful morning! #zenpractice #dailyzen #sotozen #mindfulness #oneriverzen
The first batch of ORZ merchandise is coming soon! 🎉 Handcrafted scented candles and more! STAY WHERE YOU ARE It’s a frightening trend sometimes in the news—you hear about someone trying to take a selfie, and they wind up walking over the edge of a cliff or stepping into traffic and getting themselves hurt. In a constant effor We often think of Zen practice in a stylized way. But "service" is ultimately the same in the Buddha Hall and on the job site. All of it is included, and all of it is a source of joy and awakening if we appreciate it fully. This isn't a dre WELCOME OUR NEWEST BODHISATTVA TO ONE RIVER ZEN Today we celebrate Issan Howl Stephen’s Jukai—his vow to live with steadiness, presence, and unwavering care. Before the gathered Sangha, he received the precepts and the Dharma name Issan TOUCH THE WONDER BEYOND EXPECTATIONS In our practice, it can be tempting sometimes to consider a state of wonder, or not knowing, as some sort of handicap—something to be avoided. We desperately want to know. We have expectations, and we want BE THE MEDICINE REQUIRED Good morning and welcome to the dawn of a brand new, beautiful day. As we sit at the beginning of a vista like this, many of us are already projecting our thoughts forward—perhaps anticipating wonderful things, dreadin WELCOME OUR NEWEST BODHISATTVA TO ONE RIVER ZEN Today we celebrate Jōnin’s Jukai—his vow to live with steadiness, patience, and unwavering care. Before the gathered Sangha, he received the precepts and the Dharma name Jōnin (定忍)—S APPRECIATE THE LIFE THAT IS PRESENTING ITSELF RIGHT NOW I’ve said this many times before, but ultimately this practice isn’t something separate. This practice is the very practice of our own life. Zen mastery is the mastery of our own ci SIT WITH WONDER AT YOUR OWN “SCAREDNESS” If we look carefully at the contours of our karmic landscape — the way things present themselves in our lives — we’ll notice that much of it is defined by fear. The boundaries b YOU CAN PUT ALL THAT DOWN It’s easy for us, when we’re caught in the discursive mind — the goal-seeking mind — to feel like we’ve lost our way. We keep repeating to ourselves: I’ll be okay when. I’ll be okay

Daily Zen

Welcome to Daily Zen, your space for insight, reflection, and transformation. Here, we share wisdom and teachings to help you navigate the challenges of everyday life with clarity, compassion, and presence. See more posts…

Featured
The One Who Is Not Sick: Tōzan’s Illness, Book of Serenity Case 94
Daily Zen
The One Who Is Not Sick: Tōzan’s Illness, Book of Serenity Case 94
Daily Zen

In Book of Serenity Case 94, “Tōzan’s Illness,” a monk asks the dying master whether there is someone who is not sick. Tōzan’s answer turns the question away from diagnosis and toward something more intimate: are we confined by the conditions we experience, or only by the identities we build around them?

In this talk, Sensei Michael Brunner explores illness, the small self, victimhood, and the freedom to remain fully alive and available to others even when life is difficult. The invitation is not to deny suffering, but to meet it without letting it define the whole of who we are.

Read more →
Daily Zen
The Five Regrets of the Dying: A Zen Teaching on Fear, Courage, and Not Squandering Your Life
Daily Zen
The Five Regrets of the Dying: A Zen Teaching on Fear, Courage, and Not Squandering Your Life
Daily Zen

What do people regret most at the end of life, and what can those regrets teach us about practice now?

Drawing on the five regrets of the dying and the fears that shape the small self, Sensei Michael Brunner explores courage, authenticity, friendship, livelihood, and the urgency of using our time well. This talk is a direct reminder that Zen practice is not about avoiding life, but meeting it fully, facing what we fear, and refusing to squander the life we have.

Read more →
Daily Zen
Book of Equanimity Case 63: Jōshū Asks About Death and Returning to Life
Daily Zen
Book of Equanimity Case 63: Jōshū Asks About Death and Returning to Life
Daily Zen

In Book of Serenity Case 63, “Jōshū Asks About Death,” Jōshū asks what happens when one who has experienced the “great death” returns to life. Tōsu’s answer points beyond insight itself and toward the harder question: how do we actually live after seeing through the stories that define us?

In this talk, Sensei Michael Brunner reflects on the dropping away of the small self, the danger of Zen sickness and spiritual bypassing, and the necessity of returning fully to ordinary life. Practice is not an escape from suffering, responsibility, or relationship. It is learning to meet them directly and respond with clarity, compassion, and skill.

Read more →
Daily Zen