The Santa Monica Zen Center is an urban, non-profit organization that operates on a Membership/Volunteer model.

We invite Guests and practitioners new to SMZC to participate one time in an initial 40-minute Zazen Instruction and Orientation, after which we support their practice for a trial period of 2 months at no charge.

Newcomers are asked to consider Membership at the end of the trial period.  Members pay monthly dues and enjoy the privilege of ‘just sitting’ on a self-styled schedule or engaging whole-heartedly in our training and development programs.

SMZC would be very pleased to have you visit and ‘test drive’ us for our 2-month trial period!  Please contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or in person during our scheduled open hours, with your questions about Zazen Instruction, trial practice, or Membership.

Becoming a Member will give you more access to understanding what it means to live an awakened life.  There are many opportunities to engage in practice and community at this level that are available to you.  How rigorously you engage is up to you.

Our Sangha Treasure of Members is diverse, talented and committed.  If, after having completed a 2 month trail period you wish to become a Member, please click the link below to learn more.

To Sign Up or Learn More about Membership, click here.

Becoming a Student at the Santa Monica Zen Center is an indication of your deepening commitment and strong aspiration to take your training to a rigorous level.  As a student, you are eligible to begin training with Yoshin Sensei in Daisan on the Dharmakaya Koans.  Successful completion of each body of Koan work allows you to move into the next text.  Koans may also be worked on with Senior Priests in Interview, as authorized by Yoshin Sensei.

To Sign Up or Learn More about Student Membership, click here.