Joyful Mind
Zen Community
A community of heart, wholeness and healing
Joyful Mind Zen Community supports the practice of Zen for all people. We are friends on the path of joy, liberation, and awakening. We are located in Rockville, Maryland and extended through our online practice.
Zen means “meditation” and all people can enjoy it.
We welcome newcomers and visitors to practice with us.
Joyful Mind Zendo offers teaching, instruction, and practice periods in the time-honored Zen tradition adapted to our contemporary and daily lives. We welcome all who are drawn to a simple meditation practice regardless of experience, religious faith or affiliation.
We emphasize sitting meditation (zazen), and compassionate action, to support each other in transforming our lives toward more peace and compassionate service. We offer times to share in community with each other.
Our teaching and practice periods are free to all. We are a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization and donations are gratefully accepted. Come sit with us!
Our Guiding Teacher Martine Palmiter is a dharma successor in the direct teaching lineage of the White Plum Asanga, and Venerable Hakuyū Taizan Maezumi
She founded this Zen Community from joyful mind teachings of Zen Master Dogen:
“A joyful spirit is one of gratefulness and buoyancy. Being born as a human, you have the opportunity to practice and help others, and living in community you become unfettered in social pettiness. Rejoice in your birth into this world where you are capable of using your bodies freely to help others, with innumerable opportunities, and with all of your strength and efforts in all times of life, to practice in this way.”
