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A 6-week online exploration of the teachings and practices of Soto Zen, and Red Cedar's way of practicing Zen with Heigaku Talus Latona and Junka Ken Oates.
Our gateway into Zen will be the book What Is Zen? by Norman Fischer and Sue Moon - a friendly and accessible deep dive into the style of Soto Zen we practice here at Red Cedar. Norman Fischer is the Founding Teacher of our sangha.
Studying this book together with sangha friends guided by two of our experienced teachers is a wonderful way to learn more about what we do together and to nourish and deepen your practice.
Each meeting will include a meditation and a discussion of two chapters of the book.
Please purchase a copy of the book prior to the first meeting. Reading the introduction and Chapter 1 before our first meeting if possible. It's available at our local Village Books, at Amazon, and other booksellers.
Teachers:
Junka Kenneth Oates has been practicing meditation since 2010 and studying Zen with Red Cedar Zen and Nomon Tim Burnett since 2012. He went through precepts training and the Jukai ceremony in 2016. In addition to his involvement with Red Cedar Zen, he practices Shito-Ryu karate-do and is Yondan, or 4th degree black belt. He strangely finds the most mindful moments to be in karate, sailing and walking his dog.
Heigaku Talus Latona joined the group now called Red Cedar Zen Community in 2025, and in 2007 made the Jukai commitment to ethical living. As Shuso head student for winter practice period 2013 he lead an inquiry into Courage and Blindspots. In 2021, Talus received Lay Entrustment from Guiding Teacher Nomon Tim Burnett empowering him as a Lay Entrusted teacher.
Red Cedar Zen Community is a 501(c) non-profit organization.
