IN THE SPIRIT

-- Michele M. Marr

Name: Zen Center of Orange County.

Address: 120 E. 18th Street, Costa Mesa. Near Triangle Square.

Telephone: (949) 722-7818.

E-mail: zencenter@zcoc.org

Web site: https://www.zcoc.org

Year established: The Zen Center of Orange County has been in Costa

Mesa since 1995, offering a regular schedule for zazen (meditation while

seated on a pillow or a chair), intensive workshops and other programs.

Senior pastor: The Rev. Deborah J. Barrett. Barrett is director of Zen

training. She is a Zen priest and has been a serious practitioner for 25

years, focusing on Christian and Zen awareness methods. She is a

certified pastoral counselor, a fellow of the American Assn. of Pastoral

Counselors and a Visiting Nurses Assn. hospice chaplain. She also is a

lecturer in comparative religion at Cal State Fullerton. She has earned a

doctorate in psychology and master’s degrees in theology and psychology.

Her dissertation was on Zen approaches to dying.

Pastoral staff: The Rev. Carol Aguilar. Aguilar is the center’s

administrator. She is a Zen priest with 20 years of practice. She owns

Zen Home Stitchery, a manufacturer of meditation clothing and cushions.

Weekly schedule: Sunday -- at 4 p.m., work practice for members and

volunteers; at 5 p.m., two 30-minute periods of zazen, walking

meditation, personal practice interview, service, a formal talk on Zen

practice, discussion; and at 7:15 p.m., informal tea. Tuesday -- from 7

to 9 p.m., zazen, talk and discussion

Size of congregation: 200

Makeup of congregation: A cross-section -- people come to the center

from neighborhoods all over Orange County.

Child care: Child care and children’s programs are not now available,

but will be developed as needed.

Upcoming sermon: On Oct. 29, Barrett will speak on “The Zen of Zen

Practice.”

Introduction to Zen workshops: A three-hour workshop is offered the

first Sunday of every month from 3 to 6 p.m. to provide small group

instruction in beginning Zen awareness practice. Workshops are

experiential and include video, lecture and discussion formats. Handouts

of information are provided. The workshop introduces the basics of seated

meditation, various options for postures using cushions or chairs,

techniques for working with breathing and observation of thought. Daily

life practice is emphasized. During the final hour, participants join the

regular Sunday schedule for zazen and walking meditation. Attire is

casual, but participants are asked not to wear shorts, jeans or clothes

with writing on them. The fee for the workshop is $35. Preregistration is

required. Registration forms are provided at the center’s Web site or may

be requested by calling the center.

Outreach programs: The center sponsors one-, two- and three-day

retreats, as well as a variety of periodic workshops and classes. The

center also has a prison chaplaincy.

Dress: No shorts or tank tops

Church design: The center is in a beautiful, well-maintained, old

Costa Mesa commercial building in a mixed commercial-residential section

of downtown, near Triangle Square. The inside is furnished with

meditation mats, cushions and chairs for meditation. A large, outdoor

balcony provides space for walking meditation.

Mission statement: The purpose of the Zen Center of Orange County is

to encourage and support Zen practice by offering regular opportunities

for zazen (meditation), education, training and service.

Special workshops: Everyday Dying: Zen and Death. Saturday, Oct. 28,

from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The fee is $90, or $70 for center members.

Lunch is included. Preregistration and payment is required. This workshop

examines death of self as lifelong spiritual practice, exploration of

personal attitudes about death and dying, Zen meditation for dying people

and for health-care providers and Buddhist practices related to dying.

The workshop is compatible with all faith traditions, as well as for

people with no religious affiliation. The day will include presentations,

discussion, videos and exercises.

Meditation Practices for Grief and Loss. Saturday, Nov. 4, from 9:30

a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The fee is $90, or $70 for center members. Lunch is

included. Preregistration and payment are required. This workshop

explores the use of awareness meditation practices and guided imagery for

healing and growth from losses of all types (death, divorce, etc.). The

wisdom and practices of Charlotte Joko Beck, Stephen Levine and Jon

Kabat-Zinn will be highlighted. The day will include meditation

practices, presentations, exercises, videos and discussion.

The fee to take both workshops is $150, or $125 for center members.