“If you have a glass full of liquid you can discourse forever on its qualities, discuss whether it is cold, warm, whether it is really and truly composed of H-2-O, or even mineral water, or sake. Meditation is Drinking it!”

— Taisen Deshimaru

The Awakened Meditation Centre is a non-profit, charitable organization under the direction of Zen Master Sunim Hwasun Yangil and his Dharma teachers. We offer meditation classes and retreats and other activities that promote the mind of wisdom and compassion. All is welcome.

The Garden of Flowers and Weeds

A New Translation and Commentary on the Blue Cliff Record by one of our Dharma teachers Matthew Juksan Sullivan

The Blue Cliff Record stands as one of the preeminent scriptures of Zen Buddhism. However, until now there has been no published commentary by a contemporary Zen Master to assist readers in understanding its counterintuitive and baffling teachings.

Meditation

Through Zen meditation, a whole world of possibilities opens to the students for improving life and appreciating it because the mind attains calmness, clarity and awareness in silence. Through Zen meditation, the wisdom and compassion heart wakes up for the sake of the others for them to flourish with happiness, peace, and joy.

Zen

Nan-in received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen. Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full and then kept on pouring. The professor watched the overflow until he could restrain himself no longer. "It is overfull. No more will go in!" "Like this cup," Nan-in said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"