Mind Gym: Zen Meditation and Dharma Talk

About

Mind Gym — a 12-week meditation program at UH. Every Friday, 1:00–2:00 PM, at the A.D. Bruce Religion Center, University Chapel.

Most meditation clubs just ask you to show up. This one is built like a training program: twelve weeks, four units, and a checkpoint every week so you can actually see yourself change.

• Weeks 1–3 · Settling the Body — the seven-point posture, counting the breath, and what to do when you get drowsy.

• Weeks 4–5 · Settling the Breath — following the breath, and why trying harder makes it worse.

• Weeks 6–9 · Settling the Mind — wandering thoughts, the endless scroll, boredom, and where anxiety actually lives.

• Weeks 10–12 · This Mind, In Motion — taking the practice off the cushion and into finals week.

Each session: a guided sit, a Zen story from the classical records, and an open discussion. No experience needed and no religious commitment required — bring your favorite cushion if you have one.

Led by Venerable Master Jian Tan, Abbot of the Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston, who also leads meditation at Columbia University, Rice University, Princeton University, and NYU.

Optional half-day retreats at the Zen Center follow on selected Sundays, for anyone who wants to go further. Come for one week or all twelve — beginners are genuinely welcome.

心灵健身计划 —— 12 周禅修课程。每周五下午 1:00–2:00，休斯顿大学 A.D. Bruce Religion Center, University Chapel。

大部分禅修社团只说「欢迎随时来坐」。这一门课不一样：十二周、四个单元，每周都有一个检定，让你真的看得见自己的变化。

• 第 1–3 周 · 调身 —— 七支坐法、数息，还有昏沉了该怎么办。

• 第 4–5 周 · 调息 —— 随息，以及为什么越用力越糟糕。

• 第 6–9 周 · 调心 —— 妄想、滑手机滑到不知道自己在滑、无聊，还有焦虑到底藏在哪儿。

• 第 10–12 周 · 认心・动中禅 —— 下了坐垫，把这念心带进期末周。

每堂课：禅修引导 ＋ 一则祖师公案 ＋ 开放讨论。零基础可以来，不需要任何宗教承诺，有坐垫的话欢迎自带。