Welcome to Wren Zen Meditation

Welcome to Wren Zen! Wren Zen is a Western lay Buddhist practice and multicultural community on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC. Offering space and guidance for in-person silent meditation and an opportunity for people to simply slow down, be with themselves and pay attention on what one experiences while sitting together with fellow meditators. Participation is open to all.

"Zazen is not learning to do concentration. It is the dharma gate of ease and joy."
Mestre Zen Dogen

This sangha was named after wren birds because of their simple name and heartfelt singing energy. Wrens are New World birds, which means they live in North and South America. The House Wrens migrate during the winter and Caroline Wrens do not. Their scientific name is Troglodytidae, in Spanish is called reyezuelo, and in Portuguese carriça. Naming this sangha after a bird is also a way of raising awareness of the importance to protect our forests, biodiversity, and indigenous people who live in the forests and along the rivers, and for us to treat each other with wisdom, gentleness, and compassion.

Who are we?

ABOUT US

OUR SHANGA

The word sangha loosely refers to community in the Buddhism world. Our sangha welcomes people from different cultures, colors, identifications, beliefs, ages, abilities, and social class who can practice within the guidelines for meditation and promote respectful interactions. Newcomers do not need to have previous meditation experience. We request everyone to arrive on time for the meditation sessions.

Wren Zen is a sangha that practices in the Soto Zen tradition and is affiliated with Ordinary Mind Zendo from New York City. Ordinary Mind Zendo was founded by Barry Magid, a Dharma heir of Charlotte Joko Beck, in October 1996. Following in his teacher’s footsteps, Barry Magid has expanded Joko’s vision to create a Zen practice that integrates psychoanalytic psychotherapy and Zen practices. His teachings and generous support make it possible for the Wren Zen sangha to develop in the Washington, DC, area. Adriana Couto Silva, a Zen student of Barry Magid, serves as the point person and jikido for the meditation sessions.

OUR LINEAGE

Wren Zen is offering ongoing meditation sessions every Monday. You can register for a single session until the next session period begins on March 10th. The upcoming session period will run from March 10th to April 14th, 2025. Meditation sessions take place from 7:00 - 8:00 PM in the Harriet Jacobs room, located on the 1st floor of the Hill Center building.

OUR SPACE AND PRACTICE

Caught in a self-centered dream, only suffering

Waking to a dream within a dream

Each moment, life as it is, the only teacher

Being just this moment, compassion’s way

THE FOUR PRINCIPLES

Address:
Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital 921 Pennsylvania Ave, SE Washington, DC 20003 Harriet Jacobs Room - 1st Floor

Schedule:
Mondays from 7:00 - 8:00 PM

7:00 - 7:10 PM: Instructions on meditation practice
7:10 - 7:30 PM: Zazen (sitting meditation)
7:30 - 7:35 PM: Kinhin (walking meditation)
7:35 - 7:55 PM: Zazen (sitting meditation)
7:55 - 8:00 PM: Closing remarks/Q&A